Breaking News: Joe Torre Joins Hall of Fame Board of Directors

Tony La Russa, Bobby Cox and Joe Torre are the most celebrated managers in baseball history. Each left an indelible mark on their sport through their leadership and won World Series titles in both leagues under them.

Torre is a nine-time All-Star. He earned both player-manager honors with the Mets in 1977, then managed the Mets, Atlanta Braves, Cardinals, Yankees and Dodgers from 1996 through 2007 before leading Los Angeles Dodgers from 2008 until 2010. Today he serves as MLB's Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations.

About the Hall of Fame

The Hall of Fame serves as a living museum and cultural institution that commemorates the contributions made by baseball players, managers and executives, while providing education about this American pastime.

Cooperstown, N.Y.'s museum features exhibits and artifacts including baseballs, photographs, memorabilia and other pieces that showcase its rich tradition of baseball. Open year-round and offering free admission.

Joe Torre is one of baseball's greatest managers, winning four World Series Championships with the New York Yankees from 1996 to 2000 and six American League Pennants during his 12 year stint. Later he went on to manage Los Angeles Dodgers to two NL West titles before retiring in 2010. Torre was honored with induction into the Hall of Fame by Era Expansion Committee in 2014.

Torre was a nine-time All-Star during his playing career with both Milwaukee Braves and St. Louis Cardinals, winning a World Series Championship with them in 1971 and becoming an All-Star nine times over his time with them.

Torre was also manager of the Mets from 1977-1987, Atlanta Braves from 1990-1994 and Yankees from 1995-2007 - amassing an overall win-loss record of 2,326 with 688 losses during that nearly 40-year managerial career.

Torre has established himself as an award-winning author and public speaker outside the baseball world, publishing three books including The Yankee Years (Doubleday 2009) and Ground Rules for Winners (Bantam 1997, 1998). Furthermore, he founded organizations to assist children affected by domestic violence.

Torre, a former player and general manager himself, now serves as special assistant to Commissioner Robert D. Manfred as well as acting as liaison between all 30 Major League teams and Major League Umpires. Torre has received many awards for both his baseball achievements and philanthropic work; he currently resides with Ali and their two adult children in New York City.

The Board of Directors

The Board of Directors serves as the governing body of the Hall of Fame and comprises prominent people from diverse backgrounds who share an interest in baseball history and preservation. Their duties include overseeing museum operations and its various committees as well as meeting high standards in terms of collecting, preserving and displaying baseball memorabilia - in addition to raising funds in support of this institution.

The Hall of Fame relies on two volunteer advisory committees for its operations: the Selection Committee and Veterans Committee. The former oversees nomination and election of candidates into the Hall of Fame; veterans serve as advisors on historical matters pertaining to it.

Both groups are appointed by the board. Selection is a complex task that must take into account an individual's entire career and contributions to baseball, while the Selection Committee comprises baseball experts from around the world chosen for their knowledge of baseball and capacity to understand different issues. They review all credentials submitted for induction before making recommendations to the Board of Directors.

Joe Torre is a three-time World Series champion and six-time American League pennant winner who led the New York Yankees to 12 postseason appearances over his 12-year managerial tenure with them. Among Major League managers, Torre holds the all-time winningest manager record (2,326) as well as ranking fifth all-time leader in terms of games managed. Through his work as owner, manager and executive, Torre has built an outstanding legacy serving baseball and its fans alike.

Torre has served as executive director of the Mets since 2007. Additionally, he serves as TV color commentator for Los Angeles Angels and NBC and has written multiple books such as The Yankee Years, Ground Rules for Winners and Chasing the Dream. With Ali, their three adult children and granddaughter reside in New York City; together they founded Safe at Home Foundation to assist young people overcome childhood traumas and emotional hurdles.

The Committees

The Hall of Fame boasts three committees - Veterans Committee, Media and Player Selection Committee and Historical Research and Contributions Committee - charged with evaluating candidates for induction into its ranks and making recommendations to its Board of Directors for election into its ranks.

Torre began his professional baseball career as a player for Milwaukee Braves, St Louis Cardinals and New York Mets before finishing in 1977. Subsequently he embarked on a 29-season managerial tenure that included Atlanta Braves, Cardinals before leading them in 1996 - 2007. Additionally he managed the Los Angeles Dodgers for two seasons between 2010-11.

Joe Torre is one of the greatest managers in Major League history, winning four World Series championships, six AL pennants, and amassing an astounding 1,173 wins and 767 losses in 1,173 starts as manager. Additionally, he made history by becoming only third manager ever (after John McGraw and Sparky Anderson) to claim championships in both leagues at once - joining only them. Torre pioneered both special bullpens and one-inning closers now widely used throughout MLB.

Torre became only the fourth manager in history to ever complete a perfect game and the first manager ever to oversee more than 2,000 games during 1999 - also passing Stengel on MLB's all-time managerial wins list in that same year.

After his baseball career was complete, he served as color commentator for both the California Angels and NBC's Game of the Week telecasts, while also writing books such as "The Yankee Years (Doubleday 2009) and Ground Rules for Winners (Hyperion 1999).

Torre has shown his dedication to his community through charitable endeavours beyond athletics. He serves on the boards of Skidmore College, National Jewish Health and New York City Council; and was co-founder of The Players' Trust which helps provide financial support for injured NFL players' families. Ali and Torre currently reside in New York City together.

The Selection Process

The Selection Committee annually vets candidates for Hall of Fame induction. A nominee must appear on at least five ballots over at least five years and receive 50 percent plus one votes from members of the Selection Committee before being accepted for induction into this closed group that meets at least once annually either physically or via electronic conferencing methods.

The Committee is composed of sports journalists and broadcasters with extensive knowledge of baseball. They are charged with evaluating all major league baseball players from 1960-now; including contributions made to the game from individuals outside professional baseball.

Torre was an 18-year veteran who appeared in 2,209 games and amassed 2,342 hits during that span. He earned nine All-Star selections while with St. Louis Cardinals, becoming National League Most Valuable Player that year.

Torre made history during his managerial tenure with the New York Yankees by winning four World Series championships and amassing 1,150 wins to surpass Leo Durocher and Casey Stengel on the all-time winningest managers list. Additionally, he authored three books including an autobiography entitled Chasing the Dream as well as advice for baseball managers entitled Joe Torre's Ground Rules for Winners.

Torre lives in Harrison, New York and owns a home in Mahopac with his wife. Together they have two children.

Torre's hiring as manager of the New York Yankees caused some uncertainty among media members and fans, who were used to seeing them dominate in the American League East Division; but within several seasons after his hiring they began struggling.

Torre made several adjustments to his coaching staff, adding Don Mattingly as bench coach and Larry Bowa as third base coach, retaining first base coach Mariano Duncan and pitching coach Rick Honeycutt from Grady Little's staff, and hiring Ken Howell as bullpen coach. Torre was recognized with two Manager of the Year awards while amassing an astounding 13 postseason victories during his time with the Yankees.