Cal Ripken, Jr., was known as the "Iron Man" in Baltimore. Tony Gwynn was called the "Hit King" in San Diego.

Today they each added a new cherished titles: Hall of Famer.

Ripken and Gwynn each received more than the 75 percent necessary for induction in voting by the Baseball Writers Association of America. They will be enshrined at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum during a ceremony July 29 in Cooperstown, N.Y.

Ripken received 98.53 percent of the vote, the third-highest total in history of balloting and the most for a non-pitcher. Tom Seaver (98.83 in 1992) and Nolan Ryan (98.79) received higher totals. Gwynn was named on 97.6 percent of the 545 votes cast, a percentage that ranks seventh all-time.

Mark McGwire, whose candidacy has been clouded by steroid allegations, received 128 votes (23.5 percent), which was more than enough to keep him on the ballot for another year. Harold Baines was the only other first-time eligible player to earn the necessary 5 percent to remain on the ballot.

Rich "Goose" Gossage fell short of election this year, missing the plateau by 21 votes (he had 71.2 percent of the ballot). Gossage is a strong candidate for enshrinement next year, when the first-time eligible includes Tim Raines and David Justice.

Players are eligible for election five years after retirement and are allowed to remain on the ballot for 15 years, provided they receive at least five percent of the vote.

Ripken and Gwynn's election pushes membership in the Hall of Fame to 280 -- a total that includes 198 former players, 105 of whom were selected by BBWAA members with at least 10 years of consecutive membership.