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07/21/19 03:20:00
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07/21 15:18 CDT The Latest: Lee Smith inducted into Baseball HOF
The Latest: Lee Smith inducted into Baseball HOF
COOPERSTOWN, N.Y. (AP) --- The Latest on the Baseball Hall of Fame Inductions
(all times local):
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4:10 p.m.
Lee Smith has been inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Smiling from beginning to end, Smith congratulated his new classmates before
crediting his family and hometown of Castor, Louisiana, for much of his success.
"It's been my family. They're the main reason I'm standing here today," Smith
said. "To my mom and dad. Your support has meant everything to me."
Smith pitched 18 seasons for the Cubs, Red Sox, Cardinals, Yankees, Orioles,
Angels, Reds and Expos and retired as MLB's all-time saves leader with 478, a
title he held for 13 seasons. That total ranks third all-time, as do his 802
games finished.
A seven-time All-Star, Smith led his league in saves four times and reached the
30-save mark in 10 seasons. And he was a workhorse --- of Smith's 478 saves,
169 required at least four outs and 94 required two or more innings.
The 6-foot-6 Smith was convinced to give up his love for basketball and chose
baseball as his sport.
"I was 14 years old and I thought my future was basketball," said Smith, the
first reliever to record 30 saves in 10 different seasons. "It wasn't just my
arm that got me here. It's the whole community of Castor. I thank you."
Smith and Baines were elected in December by a veterans committee.
___
3:40 p.m.
Edgar Martinez has been inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
A seven-time All-Star and five-time Silver Slugger Award winner for Seattle,
where he spent his entire 18-year career, Martinez delivered the first part of
his speech in Spanish before congratulating the other five inductees.
"I am honored and humbled to be standing here," who was born in New York and
grew up in Puerto Rico. "It is hard to believe that a dream that started when I
was 10 years old (ended here). The first time I saw Roberto Clemente all I
wanted to do was play the game. What an honor to have my plaque in the Hall
alongside his."
Martinez won two AL batting titles and led the league in on-base percentage
three times and was named the outstanding designated hitter five times, an
award that now bears his name. When he retired, Martinez was one of only six
players in history with a .300 batting average, .400 on-base percentage, .500
slugging percentage, 500 doubles and 300 home runs.
Martinez's walkoff double to win the 1995 AL Division Series endeared him
forever to the fans in the Pacific Northwest.
"Fans, I am so fortunate," Martinez said. "Thank you for always being there for
me. The support you gave me really helped me get here today. I am so glad I
stayed with you until the end of my career.
"This is a day I could never imagine happening when I was growing up in Puerto
Rico. Honestly, there were times over the last 10 years I wasn't sure it was
going to happen. I am so grateful and proud," he said.
___
2:55 p.m.
Harold Baines has been inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
The soft -spoken Baines never displayed much emotion in his 22-year career, but
his voice cracked throughout his speech.
"Somehow I acquired a reputation for not saying much. I'm not sure why," he
deadpanned at the start. "From teachers to coaches who showed me kindness and
discipline, I thank you all for what you've done for me. If I can leave you
with one message, it's to give back to your community. I stand here very
humbled. It has taken time to sink in."
Baines, the first overall pick in the 1977 draft by the White Sox, played 22
seasons for the White Sox, Rangers, Athletics, Orioles and Indians, was a
six-time All-Star, and twice won the Outstanding Designated Hitter Award. An
eight-time .300 hitter who reached the 20-homer mark in 11 seasons, Baines
drove in at least 90 runs eight times and ranks 34th on the all-time list with
1,628 RBIs. He retired with 2,866 hits and 1,628 RBIs, one of only 17 players
in MLB history to have reached both 2,800 hits and 1,600 RBIs.
Baines saved his last moments to pay tribute to the White Sox and to his
family, thanking his mom and dad and wife Marla, who also had to hold back
tears.
"You are the true Hall of Famer of our family," Baines said as he looked out at
his wife. "The game has given us a lot of shared moments, memories like today.
Your presence here today makes my journey complete."
___
2:55 p.m.
The late Roy Halladay has been inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
His widow, Brandy, delivered the speech and fought back tears as she spoke. The
40-year-old Halladay was killed in a plane crash in November 2017.
"I knew I was going to cry at some point. It's overwhelming the amount of
people here today," she said. "I'm so grateful you're here. I can't tell you
how many hugs I've gotten. They have extended so much love and friendship. I'm
so grateful.
"The thank yous should and could go on for days. There are not enough words to
thank you. I say it a lot, but it takes a village."
Halladay amassed a 203-105 record and a 3.38 ERA and 2,117 strikeouts over 416
regular season games and was 3-2 with a 2.37 ERA through five postseason
starts, all with Philadelphia. He spent his last four seasons with the Phils
and 12 seasons with the Blue Jays from 1998-2009 and became just the second
pitcher in major league history to throw a no-hitter in the postseason, opening
the 2010 NL Division Series with one against the Cincinnati Reds in the first
playoff start of his career. He also pitched a perfect game that season.
The family decided that there would be no logo on his plaque because both
organizations meant a lot to Halladay.
"He was a true competitor ready to do whatever it took to give his team the
best chance to win," Brandy said. "I think Roy would rather be remembered who
he was, not how he performed on the field. I am so humbled to say thank you to
all of you on Roy's behalf."
___
2:35 p.m.
Mike Mussina has been inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Mussina, a right-hander who starred in college for Stanford, pitched for 18
major league seasons and spent his entire career in the high-scoring AL East
with the Orioles and Yankees. A five-time All-Star and seven-time Gold Glove
winner, he posted a record of 270-153, pitching 3,362 2/3 innings with 2,813
strikeouts, 785 walks and an ERA of 3.68. He also had 57 complete games in 536
starts and was the first AL pitcher to win at least 10 games 17 times.
Mussina thanked his wife and family, his mom, dad and brother Mark and the
coaches who guided his career through the years.
"I spent a lot of time reflecting on my time in baseball," said Mussina, the
oldest first-time 20-game winner in MLB history when he reached the milestone
at age 39 in 2008, his final season in the majors. "I was never fortunate to
win a Cy Young Award or be a World Series champion, win 300 games or strike out
3,000 hitters. My opportunities for those achievements are in the past. Today,
I get to become a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame. This time I made it."
The late Frank Robinson and Willie McCovey were honored with a moment of
silence before Mussina was introduced. The two Hall of Famers died since last
year's induction ceremony.
___
1:45 p.m.
The Baseball Hall of Fame induction ceremony has begun.
The 56 members are being introduced.
Former New York Yankees star Bernie Williams will perform "The Star-Spangled
Banner" and "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" outside Clark Music Center in
Cooperstown.
Williams played on four World Series championship teams for the Yankees and was
a teammate of new inductees Mike Mussina and Mariano Rivera. Williams is a jazz
guitarist who was nominated for a Latin Grammy Award for his 2009 album "Moving
Forward." He discovered his passion for music at an early age in his native
Puerto Rico.
More than 50 Hall of Famers will be on the dais to honor the Class of 2019.
First to be honored will be Mussina, while Rivera, the first unanimous
selection to the Hall of Fame, will speak last.
___
11:15 a.m.
A large crowd is beginning to gather for Sunday's Baseball Hall of Fame
induction ceremony in Cooperstown.
Local officials are predicting a crowd of at least 50,000, and despite
sweltering heat, most spots in the field outside Clark Sports Center already
have been staked out. Temperatures are predicted to climb into the mid-80s
during the ceremony honoring the six new inductees, but a nice breeze has made
it comfortable for the fans.
Relievers Mariano Rivera and Lee Smith, starters Mike Mussina and the late Roy
Halladay and designated hitters Edgar Martinez and Harold Baines will be feted.
Rivera is the first player in history to be unanimously voted into the Hall of
Fame. Former Yankees teammates Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez are expected to
be in the audience.
The ceremony begins at 1:30 p.m.
___
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