Even the most casual fan knows the road map to the Baseball Hall of Fame.
The simplest route is to become an elite starting pitcher or run producer or to hit for average on a consistent basis. Being a standout closer is acceptable, albeit rare, as is being a defensive wizard, even without exceptional offensive skills.
There are also three general ways to be kept out of the Hall of Fame even if most of the proper statistical criteria are met: bet on baseball, be suspected of using performance-enhancing drugs or become a loathsome character who repels enough Baseball Writers Association of America members to not receive the necessary 75 percent of the vote.