Baseball Hall of Fame Class of 2022: Speech Highlights and Twitter Reaction

The Baseball Hall of Fame inducted a number of notables on Sunday, including David Ortiz, Gil Hodges, Jim Kaat, Minnie Minoso, Tony Oliva, Bud Fowler, and Buck O'Neil.

The Baseball Writers' Association of America allowed him to enter. Both Fowler and O'Neil were voted in by the Early Baseball Era Committee.

MLB Network @MLBNetwork

"In the echelon of baseball history, Bud Fowler plays an important role. As a player, but also as a barrier-breaking figure in our game.” - @nlbmprez

Bob Kendrick tells the story of Bud Fowler as he enters the @baseballhall. pic.twitter.com/bzZCtgTJfZ

MLB Network @MLBNetwork

"Because of his innate dignity, he appealed to people. Hodges brought that character to everything he did as a baseball player and later on as a baseball manager."

- Ron Swoboda on Gil Hodges pic.twitter.com/42EMz57fv6

National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum ⚾ @baseballhall

Welcome to baseball immortality, David Ortiz.

📷 Milo Stewart Jr. pic.twitter.com/SrwHCmSCkw

The people who were allowed to attend were emotional.

Pete Abraham @PeteAbe

Tony Oliva tells the crowd that Luis Tiant belongs in the Hall. He also says he didn’t like when “this Big Papi” hit well against the Twins.

Alex Speier @alexspeier

Oliva on Ortiz: “The best thing that happened to Big Papi was to go to Boston. … In Minnesota, we missed him.”

Jayson Stark @jaysonst

“When you pitch for a long time you have a lot of catchers. I had 38 of them.”

Jim Kaat, a man who pitched for 25 years, on his HOF induction day. pic.twitter.com/wjRQgCGIU9

Joe Pantorno @JoePantorno

Jim Kaat is 83.Tony Oliva is 84.

Absolutely incredible that they get to have this day. Fantastic.

Chuckie Maggio @chuckiemaggio

Dave Winfield teaching everyone about the late Bud Fowler. Jim Kaat recognizing his 38 catchers (including former @RocRedWings manager Phil Roof!). Big Papi’s daughter singing the anthem.

I love Hall of Fame ceremony day so much. How can you not be romantic about baseball?

Derek Jeter @derekjeter

Congratulations to @davidortiz, Gil Hodges, Jim Kaat, Minnie Miñoso, Tony Oliva, Bud Fowler and Buck O’Neil for being inducted to the @baseballhall!

The ceremony for the current generation of fans began with his daughter singing the national anthem, and he was the most prominent member of the group.

Bob Nightengale @BNightengale

Alex Ortiz, the daughter of David Ortiz, singing the national anthem before the Hall of Fame induction. pic.twitter.com/dmd08JYjBD

Ian Browne @IanMBrowne

David Ortiz's daughter Alex, an aspiring vocalist at Berkeley, singing the anthem at the Hall of Fame induction. What a thrill for both of them. She did this for David's final Opening Day at Fenway in 2016.

In his speech, he said that the Red Sox helped him get to the Hall of Fame.

Jayson Stark @jaysonst

“That organization made me the man I am today.”

David Ortiz on the meaning of joining the Red Sox from the HOF podium in Cooperstown, on a day he’ll never forget pic.twitter.com/alHAfWXKK9

Jon Morosi @jonmorosi

Love the way David Ortiz credits Mike Goff, Dave Jauss, Grady Little, Terry Francona, John Farrell, and so many of his impactful managers and coaches over the years. He’s on a roll. This is a great speech. @MLBNetwork

Alex Speier @alexspeier

Ortiz thanks Francona and Farrell: “I love you guys and I’m always going to have you in my heart.”

Pete Abraham @PeteAbe

Ortiz’s speech one of heartfelt thanks. Shouting out many people.

Alex Speier @alexspeier

Ortiz says after his final game in 2016, it felt like everyone in New England was on the field with him. He says Boston will always be in his heart and he will always be there for the city.

Chris Cotillo @ChrisCotillo

David Ortiz’s message to the writers who voted him in: “You guys have got it going on.”

He yelled out his teammates.

He said in his speech that he was serious. I love you, Cap.

Alex Speier @alexspeier

Ortiz thanked Dave Jauss for helping to make him a Red Sox. Then thanks “number 45, mi compadre Pedro” for helping to make him a Red Sox.

Chris Cotillo @ChrisCotillo

Ortiz paying tribute to the late Kirby Puckett: "He taught me so much about the game, he gave me so much advice and was so wonderful to me."

Ortiz wore No. 34 in honor of Puckett once he got to Boston.

Chris Cotillo @ChrisCotillo

Ortiz could not look less nervous. Meeting the moment, as always.

One of the most famous and lengthy title droughts in American sports history was ended in 2004 when his clutch hitting helped the Red Sox.

He was a beloved figure in Boston sports history.

"If my story can remind you of everything, let it remind you that when you believe in someone, you can change their world, you can change their future," he said in his speech.