Induction Ceremony for 2020 Delayed
This afternoon, the National Baseball Hall of Fame Board of Directors announced some significant news. The news doesn’t come as much of a surprise as many around the game of baseball were expecting this. With the official tweet was the National Hall of Fame Twitter account.
Our Board of Directors has voted unanimously to cancel 2020 Induction Weekend, due to health and safety concerns associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. The Class of 2020 will be inducted in 2021, alongside any Class of 2021 electees, on July 25, 2021 https://t.co/iecNYeoH95 pic.twitter.com/O99EIXWpqm
— National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum ⚾ (@baseballhall) April 29, 2020
As is the case with every other significant event scheduled, this has been canceled due to the current Coronavirus pandemic. As the tweet states, both Derek Jeter and Larry Walker will take part in next year’s ceremony.
Regardless, it is sad news for any baseball fan as this is a tradition for many who love and enjoy the game. The Hall of Fame represents a special place in the baseball world and one that every player thrives to be inducted into. For many fans across the country, going to Cooperstown for the ceremony in July is a tradition. However, that tradition will have to take pause this year.
Hall of Famers Derek Jeter and Larry Walker
For Derek Jeter, being enshrined into the Hall of Fame is a great achievement. Jeter was a pivotal member of the New York Yankees for his entire big league career from 1995 until 2014.
Over that span, the future Hall of Famer had a career batting line of .310/.377/.440 over 12,602 plate appearances. In that span, Jeter recorded 3,465 hits, 260 home runs, 1311 RBI, and won Rookie of the Year along with numerous Gold Glove, Silver Slugger, and All-Star nods.
For Larry Walker, being enshrined into the Hall of Fame is a huge achievement. Not only would it be a huge achievement, but Walker would also be the first player from the Colorado Rockies organization to join the Hall of Fame. During his big league career, the future Hall of Famer spent ten seasons with the Rockies, six seasons with the Montreal Expos, and two seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals.
Over his 17-year major league career, Walker hit .313/.400/.565 over 8,030 plate appearances. In that span, the first baseman had, 2,160 hits, 383 home runs, 1,311 RBI. In addition, Walker won the National League Most Valuable Player Award in 1997 along with numerous Gold Glove and Silver Slugger Awards.
Final Thoughts
Even though there won’t be an induction ceremony this year, next year’s ceremony will be even more special. Special for Derek Jeter, Larry Walker, and the other Hall of Famers inducted. Furthermore, fans of the game will find it just as special. Although it will be a year later than expected, the Hall of Fame will return and likely in grand fashion come 2021.
