Tony Gwynn and Cal Ripken Jr. are the latest and perhaps most anticipated additions to the illustrious National Baseball Hall of Fame after they were both awarded with the honour in a ceremony held in Cooperstown, NY.
Drawing a crowd of over 75,000, the two newcomers gave an emotional speech after being presented with their plaques by MLB Commissioner Bud Selig.
Speaking of his honour, Gwynn stated: "I'm a big believer in whatever you want, if you want something out of this game, you've got to put the work in it. You've got to work hard.” And work hard he did, earning his place in the Hall of Fame with a .338 lifetime batting average, an incredible 3,141 hits and eight batting titles.
Likewise, Ripkin who will be remembered as the player responsible for shattering Lou Gehrig's seemingly never-ending streak of 2,130 consecutive games played commented on the responsibilities that fall on today’s players:
"Whether you like it or not, as big leaguers, we are role models. The only question is, will it be positive or will it be negative? Should we put players up on a pedestal and make them take responsibility? No. But we should encourage them to use their influence positively, to help build up and develop the young people who follow the game.”
The ceremony also made the record books as the largest collection of Hall of Fame members to ever be in the same place together at the same time, with 55 of the living 63 attending the ceremony, including the two new additions.
Before they both retired after the 2001 season, Gwynn had spent 20 years with the Padres and Ripken 21 years with the Orioles.
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