Former managers Joe Torre, Tony La Russa, and Bobby Cox were elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame by a vote from the Expansion Era Committee.

The three skippers will be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame this July in Cooperstown.

Current Major League Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig was pleased with the list of managers that were inducted this year.

"I am thrilled that these great managers during my tenure as Commissioner will join the legends of our game in the halls of Cooperstown," Selig said. "In careers of consistent excellence and incredible longevity, Bobby, Tony and Joe all left indelible impacts on our national pastime. For decades, these three individuals not only led great ballclubs, but instilled in their teams a brand of class and professionalism that baseball fans admired. It is fitting that Bobby, Tony and Joe will share our game's highest honor together.

"Joe and Tony have been outstanding members of our staff at Major League Baseball in recent years. On behalf of all of their colleagues with MLB, it is an honor to congratulate them and their families on this milestone. I look forward to a remarkable day for all of baseball next July 27 in Cooperstown."

Hall of Famer Phil Niekro was among the people who were on the 16-person Expansion Era electorate that voted unanimously to elect the three managers. It was not surprising considering that each of the three managers rank among the top five in all-time wins.

"When I think of these guys I think of respect. By their players, by their fans, their organization," Niekro said. "They're men of integrity and character and I was honored and privileged to play for these guys."

The players that will be inducted into this year's Hall of Fame have not yet been announced.