Yes, that’s also the first Diamondbacks cap in the Hall.
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In front of thousands of fans – many wearing Red Sox jerseys and waving Dominican Republic flags – four players were inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame on Sunday. Because he knew it rested on him to say it. He spoke in both Spanish and English during his speech, and he wore a blue suit featuring patches for both countries. “I played every game as if it were my last”. “I hope all Dominicans remember this”. “You have time. Baseball is not a year-round sport”.
And now that it’s over, there’s a sense of pride since they’ll now forever be a part of the history of the Baseball Hall of Fame.
“I played against a lot of them, I admired a lot of them and I respected all of them”, Biggio said. I mean, it’s a great class that I’m going in with. Everyone watching the Randy Johnson Hall of Fame speech. He had a different dream: to be a Major League Baseball player. It was his third time on the ballot.
“Those are some memorable moments there in Arizona”, he said. Then there was head coach Mike Sheppard, whose leadership kept the talented bunch on track.
Finally, after anticipation reached a fever pitch – fans chanted, “Pedro!” His career includes one night in May 2001 when Johnson tied a Major League record for strikeouts in a game with 20.
Edinson Volquez (9-5, 3.15 ERA) starts at Cleveland as the Royals open a 10-game road trip, a day before his old friend and new teammate Johnny Cueto arrives after being acquired by Kansas City in a deal Sunday with Cincinnati. The game has given me everything.
Backstage after his speech Biggio said: “The relationship that we have – and that our families have with (his family), it’s like we’re brothers and sisters”. He talked about how important it was to him that he could make an impact on their lives.
“It was as if he introduced and gave me a baton and said, ‘Now pay this forward any chance you can”. And you’re also “not getting it out of the way” and allowing your child to progress through potential college and pro careers unencumbered – second surgeries have become more and more common. “His trademark mullet gone and his usual scowl replaced by an occasional smile, Johnson unfolded his 6’11” frame from his chair on stage and hunched over the podium.
“Craig Biggio”, the Houston native quickly answered when asked who his favorite player was. A great Atlanta Braves starter on some fantastic teams, but not consistently dominant long enough to warrant the ultimate honor.
Biggio during his college days (Seton Hall Athletics). Smoltz’s induction will mark four in two years from the Braves’ great teams of the 1990s, alongside fellow aces Tom Glavine, Greg Maddux and manager Bobby Cox.
“It’s a really special group of guys (in the Hall of Fame)”. Most of all, though, he loved his players and he had their backs no matter what.
Speaking of attention, plenty was paid to the Biggio this past weekend.
Smoltz used his HOF speech to rail against specialization in youth sports.
“It shows why baseball is a game of all sizes and shapes”, said Smoltz, “and why it is truly America’s pasttime”. “This place is what baseball is about”. He usually gets that on the golf course, anyway. It was a attractive bow tie on a distinguished career.
“Baseball is a purist’s game”, said Smoltz.
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That’s it for me, I will be back Monday and Tuesday, but this is my last big assignment for NEWSChannel 2. “Thank you, Seattle”.
