Rene LeRoux has done it again. The curator of this fabulous museum produced The 14th annual induction ceremony and it was a wonderful evening full of incredible memories.
Of the major leaguers honored the night saw Mets great and two-time world champion Howard Johnson give a humorous and sweet speech thanking his family and his organization from Queens. He remembered his Met teammates and the fun times he had, especially with the 1986 Mets.
Before the Yankees were introduced I delivered a congratulatory message from Yankees President Randy Levine. A feeling of appreciation was felt throughout the audience.
Buck Schowalter gave a heartfelt speech about how he grew up in the Yankees organization. He remembered how much he learned from Gene Michael and how he really did love his time with the Boss ( George Steinbrenner ). He even told a great story about the Boss calling the dugout one time. What I loved about Buck’s speech was the true respect and appreciation he still has for the Bronx Bombers.
Yogi Berra was enshrined posthumously and was represented by son Larry and granddaughter Lindsay. Their words were beautiful and naturally made everyone understand why Yogi is still so very loved.
A personal favorite of mine is and will always be Jesse Barfield. I will always remember George Steinbrenner being so excited when we made the Al Leiter for Barfield trade. The Boss went to anyone who listened that Barfield had the greatest arm since Roberto Clemente. Who was going to argue with the Boss? Certainly not me because Barfield did have the greatest arm since Clemente. Also being that I am extremely close to the Clemente family and played in the Pirates farm system in the 70s, I really got to know who Clemente was even though The Great One had been deceased for three years. Knowing Jesse the way I do I can honestly say that he is not far from the greatness that Clemente stood for.
Then there was Don Mattingly and the anticipation for his speech. I really felt like I was in Cooperstown. It was exactly like when the true greats of Cooperstown were introduced. The room was so full that I expected fire marshals to crash in. That’s how excited the many people who came from places as far as California were.
Donnie Baseball was exactly what you would expect.. charming and humble. Strong and funny.
At one point he said during his speech that he learned how to speak like a New Yorker from the Yankees bullpen coach of his era… Dom Scala.
Then he blurted out a HOW YAA DOOINN !! Of course, everyone laughed because it was hilarious. He even gave us a facial expression.
Don did not forget anyone in his speech including his very supportive wife whom he adores and his manager Buck Schowalter.
I must add that some very deserving high school and college coaches with long roots in New York were honored.
To see and learn about all the honorees please check out the NYState Baseball Hall of Fame website and naturally on the internet.
A terrific job was done by the Master of ceremonies Nancy Newman who can be seen on the Yes network during Nets basketball games and the weekly Yankees Magazine show.
