COOPERSTOWN, N.Y. (AP) — The Latest on the Baseball Hall of Fame Inductions (all times local):
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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.”
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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.”
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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.
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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.
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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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