Derek Jeter is honored with induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame. (2:00)
COOPERSTOWN (N.Y.) -- New York Yankees great DerekJeter entered the Hall of Fame Wednesday along with three other players in front of a crowd that was dominated by Yankee logos, colors and his iconic No. 2 uniform. 2.
Jeter concluded a long-awaited afternoon of speeches and remembrance with, "It's been quite a ride."
Ted Simmons, Larry Walker, and Marvin Miller, a labor pioneer, were also honored. It was a poignant moment during the first baseball induction ceremony since July 21, 2019, when Jeter shared their stories. The COVID-19 pandemic forced the cancellation of the 2020 ceremony. Fans were able to attend the 2021 ceremony instead.
Many of those fans came out to support Jeter, the famous Yankees captain who led the team to seven pennants, five World Series titles, and seven pennants. He also won seven pennants during his 20-year tenure. Jeter had 3,465 hits, which was the sixth-highest in major league history.
After waiting for his standing ovation, and the familiar "DEREK JETER" chants spread out from New York fans along the Clark Sports Complex lawn, Jeter began to thank his family. He said that his father was his first idol and told how he used to play whiffle ball with his dad in his backyard wearing pinstripes and imitating former Yankee Dave Winfield.
Winfield, now a Hall of Famer was seated on the stage behind Jeter.
Jeter stated, "When people ask about nerves, they assume that it's because of a speech. What I may say or say, how many people there are." "No, no, no. These people are behind me now, as well as all the Hall of Fame members. Because baseball's history is the best thing about it. It's that history that makes baseball so special.
Jeter, who long maintained that he wanted to be a shortstop for the New York Yankees was his only dream in baseball, stated that it was one of the greatest honors in his life.
He stated that his goal as a Yankee was "win more than everyone else -- which we did."
Jeter also made fun of the one unknown sportswriter who didn't vote for him during the BBWAA balloting, which resulted in him being a nearly unanimous selection in January 2020.
Jeter stated, "Thanks to writers." "All except one."
The ceremony opened with a video tribute to the 10 Hall of Famer who had died in the 26 months between the last induction day and now. Johnny Bench, Hall of Fame catcher, narrated the video. He was unable to attend because he had tested positive for COVID-19.
To see the Hall of Fame's membership increase to 333, 31 Hall of Famer made the trip from New York to Cooperstown. BBWAA's round of voting in 2021 saw no election, and the era commissions could not meet due to the pandemic. The Class of 2020 was inducted into the 2021 class.
Walker delivered the most lighthearted speech. He recalled the time in his minor league career, when he ran across the diamond and didn't touch second base on a flyball because he didn’t know the rules.
Walker was born in Canada, and grew up playing hockey. Walker recognized him during his speech as the second Canadian-born Hall of Famer.
Walker stated, "I honestly consider myself an average guy." Walker said, "And I like average. My life has been lived to not get too high and to not get too low. It would be completely false to say that I feel average standing here right now. "My feet haven't touched the ground all day."
Walker, who played for the Colorado Rockies, hit.313 and had 383 career homers in a 17-year playing career. He also won the 1997 NL MVP Award. Walker is the Rockies' first player to be inducted with his plaque sporting the team's cap.
An era committee selected Simmons during the 2019 winter meetings. After the 1988 season, Simmons was retired as an eight-time All-Star catcher. He then went on to have a long career as a Scout and Executive.
Simmons stated, "My journey was long." Simmons said, "But I wouldn’t change a single thing."
Simmons stated that Miller, the legendary head of the Major League Baseball Players Association, was the one person he would choose to accompany him into Cooperstown. Miller died in 2012.
Donald Fehr, Miller's successor and head of the MLBPA spoke on his behalf. He explained the significance of Miller's role in the game. Fehr's explanation was perhaps a bit too detailed, and the crowd grew restless as he continued his speech.
That was largely due to who most of the crowd was there for. Jeter recalls that his father used to remind him of how he had been encouraged by his father throughout his career to "Keep building your resume."
Jeter, along with the rest of the baseball's new immortals, has now received his resume after Wednesday's long wait.
