-- A Record 60 Hall of Famers Attended the Induction Ceremony --
COOPERSTOWN, N.Y.) – They spent their careers in the center of the diamond, either roaming the outfield with Gold Glove Award-efficiency and speed or up the middle with record-setting power for a second baseman.
On Sunday, Carlos Beltrán, Andruw Jones and Jeff Kent were the center of attention as the baseball world focused on Cooperstown.
The National Baseball Hall of Fame inducted the Class of 2026 on Sunday in front of a national television audience on MLB Network and under sun-splashed 76-degree conditions. Beltrán, Jones and Kent took their place in history with a record 60 Hall of Famers on the stage on the grounds of the Clark Sports Center and an estimated 12,000 fans in attendance.
Kent, who launched record-setting number of home runs as a second baseman over a 17-year career with the Blue Jays, Mets, Indians, Giants, Astros and Dodgers, led off the afternoon with an emotional speech – one that required him to employ tissues to wipe tears before he even got to the lectern.
“Standing up here with these guys sitting behind me, I’ve never felt more humbled in my life,” Kent said. “I’m grateful for everyone who appreciated that I tried to play the game the right way.”
Jones, the first Hall of Famer born in Curaçao, followed Kent to the induction stage. He played 17 seasons for the Braves, Dodgers, Rangers, White Sox and Yankees, totaling 10 Gold Glove Awards in center field while hitting 434 home runs.
“There’s no better feeling than being here today,” Jones said. “There’s no easy way to get here from the small island of Curaçao, but starting today, Cooperstown and Curaçao are joined forever. To everyone who helped me on my journey to Cooperstown, thank you and God bless.”
Beltrán, a nine-time All-Star, was the 1999 American League Rookie of the Year with the Royals who went on to play for the Astros, Mets, Giants, Cardinals, Yankees and Rangers. The sixth Hall of Fame inductee raised in Puerto Rico, Beltrán received sustained cheers while delivering some of his speech in Spanish.
“If I can compare this moment to something I experienced in baseball, it is my first at bat in the big leagues,” said Beltrán, who brought a Puerto Rican flag with him to the microphone. “I was excited and nervous. These guys behind me make me nervous.”
Other highlights from Sunday included:
The 2026 Award Winners were acknowledged on the Induction Ceremony stage: Ford C. Frick Award winner Joe Buck, BBWAA Career Excellence Award winner Paul Hoynes and Buck O’Neil Lifetime Achievement Award winner Bill White. Rick Monday, who rescued the American flag at Dodger Stadium 50 years ago, was also acknowledged.
The many Mets and Braves fans in attendance gave warm welcomes to their favorite players like Mike Piazza and Chipper Jones, respectively. But the loudest applause during the introductions of the returning Hall of Famers was saved for Iván Rodríguez, a Puerto Rico native who was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2017.
Shaylan Fingers, daughter of Hall of Famer Rollie Fingers, gave a stirring rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
The National Baseball Hall of Fame’s 2027 Induction Weekend will take place July 23-26, with the Induction Ceremony scheduled for Sunday, July 25.
The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum is open seven days a week year round, with the exception of Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. From the day before Memorial Day through the day before Labor Day, the Museum observes daily regular hours of 9 a.m. until 7 p.m. Ticket prices are $35 for adults (13 and over), $29 for seniors (65 and over) and $26 for juniors (ages 7-12) and $25 for those holding current memberships in the VFW, Disabled American Veterans, American Legion and AMVets organizations. Members are always admitted free of charge and there is no charge for children 6 years of age or younger. This institution is an equal opportunity provider. For more information, visit our website at baseballhall.org or call 888-HALL-OF-FAME (888-425-5633) or 607-547-7200.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment