Baseball Hall of Fame Press Conference

Courtesy of the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

When it comes to baseball, there are a few things I love watching during the year and that’s the Baseball Hall of Fame festivities. It’s the election announcement, press conference, and all the Induction Weekend festivities. Unfortunately, I’m dependent on the MLB app airing these live due to no agreement in nearly a year with YouTube TV. I thought the press conference would be yesterday but it turns out to be today. Go figure, while Sundance is going on. Movies can wait—that’s how much I love to celebrate the Hall of Fame. Fun fact: I wore my Joe Mauer jersey shirt on Tuesday.

“Folks of this country would benefit greatly if 97% went to the polls.” – Jack O’Connell, BBWAA Secretary-Treasurer

It’s always an exhilarating moment to see the newly elected Baseball Hall of Fame players/managers put on their HOF jersey and cap. Only about 1% to play the game ever get this opportunity so it’s really special. This year’s BBWAA class ranges from 40-50 years old with Mauer being the youngest HOFer. Willie Mays is the oldest at 92 years old.

“You go out and play your hardest and it’s just the biggest reward,” said Todd Helton in his opening remarks.

Mauer opens by saying that it’s humbling and surreal to be there.

Given that he’s from the Dominican Republic, Beltre took in the Juan Marichal plaque. Helton didn’t really get a chance to explore the gallery in full. It’s Mauer’s first time back since his rookie year in 2004.

It’s only been a day and a half since getting the call and it’s not yet sunk in yet for any of them except for Mauer, who says that it is only just now starting to sink in.

It’s very rare that players stay with the same team for their entire career and even rarer that they get elected into the Hall. Helton was almost traded to the Red Sox in 2007 but he stayed with the Rockies. Mauer was a hometown kid and was drafted by his team—that has to make it extra special.

Of course, there’s a question about who the better QB is! Todd Helton is most famous for being the QB replaced by Peyton Manning at Tennessee.