Hall of Fame Welcomes Class of 2019, Six Players Immortalized
In the sweltering heat of a July day, with 55,000 in attendance that included a sitting president, a boxing legend and baseball heroes past and present, six players were inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY. The 2019 class includes Harold Baines, Edgar Martinez, Mike Mussina, Mariano Rivera, Lee Smith, and the late Roy Halladay.
The Ceremony was poignant for several reasons as it elicited emotions ranging from laughter to tears. The tears came largely as a result of the induction speech given by Roy Halladay’s widow, Brandy. Her husband was killed in a plane crash in November, 2017 . She told the assembled crowd, “a special thanks to all these men behind me … To all of your families, who have extended so much love and friendship to myself and to my children. I’m so grateful. Thank you,… I know how honored Roy would be to be sitting here today with such accomplished men who represented this game so well over the course of all your career.” Her entire emotional speech is here:
Beautifully done, Brandy. #DocHOF pic.twitter.com/AEJhufT2GA
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) July 21, 2019
Halladay retired following the 2013 season with a career 203-105 record and a 3.38 ERA. He won the Cy Young in each league and was an eight-time All-Star. Halladay received 85.4 percent of the vote in his first year on the Hall of Fame ballot.
Mike Mussina poked fun at himself during his induction speech. Known in inner circles of the sport as the pitcher who ‘almost’ did everything on the mound, Mussina used the word ‘almost’ near the end of his speech.
Mussina almost won a Cy Young (second place in 1999), almost threw a perfect game (one out away in 2001), and almost won a World Series (2001 and 2003). He also almost won 20 games (19 wins in 1995 and 1996) before finally getting there in his final season (2008).
The former New York Yankee and Baltimore Oriole told the crowd, “I was never fortunate enough to win a Cy Young Award, or be a World Series champion. I didn’t win 300 games, or strike out 3,000 batters. And while my opportunities for those achievements are in the past, today I get to become a member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame.” Mussina continued, “Maybe I was saving up from all of those almost achievements for one last push, and this time I made it.”
Mussina went 270-153 with a 3.68 ERA in a career than spanned 18 years. He was a five-time All-Star and seven-time Golden Glove winner.
Harold Baines is a man of few words. He has reputation of being blunt and to the point according to the Chicago press. His induction speech also touched a few heart strings when he spoke about his wife, Marla, his kids and his late father, Linwood, a mason who worked six days a week to support his family, instilling important values in the process. That in turn helped Baines become one of the most consistent and longest-lasting designated hitters the game has seen.
In his stoic manner, Baines spoke for just under ten minutes. He became emotional when referring to his wife, Marla, saying, “I’m not an emotional man, except when it comes to family. You are the true Hall of Famer of our family,” Baines turned to his spouse during the speech and added , “… Your presence here makes my journey complete.” After the speech he told MLB.com, “I get very emotional when I talk about family. Because my kids say I cry too much and I wanted to be strong for them.” But he, and many in the assembled throng, broke down anyway.
Baines played 22 years in the Majors for four teams most notably with the Chicago White Sox. He won a World Series with the Sox in 2005. He is a career .289 hitter with 2866 hits. A six-time All-Star, Baines had his number 3 retired by the White Sox in 1989.
It took 10 long years, but Edgar Martinez finally got over the hump and was voted into Cooperstown during his final year of Hall of Fame eligibility. Martinez gave credit to his idol, Roberto Clemente, for being an inspiration. “It is hard to believe that a dream that started when I was about 10 years old would take me on an amazing journey,” Martinez said. “Since the first time I saw Roberto Clemente on TV, and some highlights of the World Series, I was hooked on the game of baseball. All I wanted to do was play the game. Like most kids in Puerto Rico, I wanted to be like Roberto Clemente. What a great example Roberto Clemente was to all of us in Puerto Rico, and what an honor to have my plaque in the Hall alongside his.”
Martinez played his entire 18 year career as a Seattle Mariner (1987-2004) as a third basemen and a designated hitter. He became a full-time DH in 1995. Martinez’s career stats are imposing as he had a .312 BA with 2247 hits. He was a seven-time All-Star, five-time Silver Slugger and was twice an American League batting champion. Perhaps most impressively, he was 11 for 19 (.579) against fellow Class of 2019 inductee Mariano Rivera.
Lee Smith thought his move from a starting pitcher to the bullpen was a demotion worthy of retirement. He struggled in the Chicago Cubs farm system as a starter, when in 1979, the Cubs decided to move Smith into the bullpen. Smith didn’t go to the bullpen right away, instead he went home. He credits Hall of Famer Billy Williams for saving his career. He told the Chicago Tribune, “Thank God for Mr. Billy Williams. He knocked some sense into me. After that ’79 season he explained that the game was changing and relief pitching could be valuable.”
During his induction speech Smith added, “No matter where I pitched, I always wanted to embody my two traits: Loyalty to the team and my teammates, and dependability as a teammate and a pitcher. It didn’t matter when I was given the ball — seventh, eighth or ninth inning, no matter how many innings I pitched — as long as I could impact the game and help my team. I truly believe, from all walks of life, if you work hard, and if you are loyal and dependable, you can really find success.”
Smith also credit Ferguson Jenkins for much of his success. with Smith crediting Jenkins with simplifying his delivery, introducing him to the slider and fork ball, and teaching him how to set up hitters. Smith was a seven-time All-Star and finished his career with 478 saves.
Mariano Rivera, the five-time World Series champion, all-time saves leader and the only player to be a unanimous selection into the Hall of Fame, was the man the near record crowd came to see. Perhaps fittingly he spoke last and ‘closed’ the proceedings. Many of the patrons were there just to see Rivera in person.
Among those in the throng, were the President of Panama, Laurentino Cortizo, boxing legend Roberto Duran, and a core of ex-Yankees almost large enough to field a team. Some of the Yankee legends that were there included Derek Jeter, Jorge Posada, Tino Martinez, Andy Pettitte, Jorge Posada and Bernie Williams.
Duran told USA Today Sports, “I wasn’t going to miss this, He meant so much to me. I saw him as a young boy growing up in Panama, and look at him now, a Hall of Famer.”
Rivera never wanted to be a great baseball star as a youth. He wanted to be the next Pele. But when he realized he didn’t have the talent to play soccer, he turned to baseball. He said his career turned around in 1997 when he learned how to throw the cut fastball. “I learned how to use that pitch. I used that pitch for 17 years and I used it well,” Rivera said during his induction speech.”The Lord gave me the best pitch in baseball ….”
Rivera spent his entire 19-year career with the Yankees and he was appreciative of the Yankee organization and fan base during his 25 minute induction speech:
“It’s a privilege and honor to be part of one organization,” said Rivera, “I did it with dignity, honor and pride. I tried to carry the pinstripes the best I could. I think I did all right with that.”
“All those New York fans, when I was at Yankee Stadium pitching, I felt like I was pitching with 55,000 people next to me throwing one pitch after another. You guys are the best. Without your support, I cannot do it.”
Rivera finished his career as the all-time saves leader with 652. His 2.21 ERA his lowest in baseball history for a pitcher who threw at least 1000 innings. He is a 13-time All-Star and five-time World Series champion. He is a memorable pitcher who will be remembered as one of the great Yankee and baseball legends of all-time.
Quite a way to ‘close’ a wonderful Ceremony.