In tribute to Frick, the award for career excellence in baseball broadcasting was created in 1978. Though they are sometimes erroneously referred to as Hall of Famers, honorees are not inducted into the Hall of Fame, but are permanently recognized in an exhibit at the Hall's library. Honorees give a speech at the Hall of Fame during induction weekend, and their names are added to a plaque in the library of the Hall of Fame. Frick Award honorees also became life members of the Veterans Committee, which considers candidates for Hall of Fame induction who are no longer eligible for the regular voting by the Baseball Writers Association of America. However, in 2007, voting for players on the Veteran's Committee ballot was restricted to Hall of Fame members.
In 2004, fans were allowed to nominate candidates for the award for the first time.