Thoughts From The Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremonies
Watching the Class of 2022 National Baseball Hall of Fame induction ceremonies, quotes from several of the induction speeches caught my attention.
“Pioneers, many times, do not get to enjoy the changes they bring about or the doors they open.” …
“Remember Bud Foster in a broad context, not just as a pioneering African-American professional baseball player. Remember him as a skilled athlete who endured obstacles that are hard to imagine today, as an early force in integrating the game and as a visionary who attempted to create a league of their own when the roadblocks of his time were present, yet he still persisted. One last thing. I personally hope that all of you will see him as a man that loved the game of baseball from its beginnings…”
Dave Winfield, representing Bud Fowler on his induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame
“Our greatest gift, Although my father’s life was cut so short, was his influence on those around him. His teammate Jackie Robinson once said, ‘A life is not important except for the impact that it leaves on others.’My father sincerely believed that and led a life that has impacted others in a positive way.”…
“Nobody loved the game of baseball more than my dad,” …
Irene Hodges representing her father Gil Hodges on his induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame
“I’ll begin by expressing the family’s thnks to the Early Baseball Era Committee for their selection of Unclt John as a member of the Class of 2022. We also applaud the committee for not subjectively limiting their interpretation of an exceptional career in baseball to a singular focus upon statistics. In other words, expanding thir view to include the totality of one’s worth in baseball.”
Dr. Angela Terry representing her uncle Buck O’Neil on his induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame
A common theme heard throughout the ceremony was “waiting for a long time”, “long time coming”, etc. That reminded me of another quote from the Official Historian of Major League Baseball, John Thorn.
Doc Adams has been dead since 1899; he is too well versed in the art of patience.
Twitter, John Thorn (@thorn_john)
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