As a life-long baseball fan, I look forward each summer to the live broadcast of the National Baseball Hall of Fame induction ceremony. It is my dream to some day attend the ceremony in person, but until then, I must be content with watching it on television.

This past Sunday, the National Baseball Hall of Fame inducted its four newest members: players, Adrian Beltré, Joe Mauer and Todd Helton, and former manager Jim Leyland.

I have been to Cooperstown and have visited the Hall of Fame five times, but it’s been a long time since I’ve been back. The last time I was there was when I was still living in New York state, and I’ve been in Tulsa now 35 years.

The Hall of Fame induction ceremony takes place each year at the Clark Sports Center, about a mile away from the Hall of Fame building.

Todd Helton was the first inductee to speak. Helton spent his entire 17-year career with the Rockies, hitting .316/.414/.539 with 2,519 hits, 592 doubles, 369 homers, 1,406 RBI and 1,401 runs. The five-time All-Star won four Silver Sluggers and three Gold Gloves.

In his opening comments, Helton who didn’t like to talk to the media during his career, said, “Thank you to the media, for making the most with what little I gave you.”

He then thanked his family and referred to his father Jerry, who died in 2015, “This would have meant as much — if not more — to him than it does me. When I was young, my dad taught me how to swing a bat and how to pitch a ball. But most importantly, beyond the relentless coaching, my dad made me believe I could stand up here today.”

Next was Adrian Beltré, who played 21 seasons, with the Dodgers, Mariner, Red Sox, and the Rangers. He collected 3,166 hits, 636 doubles, 477 home runs, 1,707 RBI and 1,524 runs while hitting .286 with a .480 slugging percentage. He won four Silver Sluggers and five Gold Gloves — two of those being Platinum Gloves for the best defender in baseball. He ranks third in career WAR among third basemen after Mike Schmidt and Eddie Mathews.

“My path to Cooperstown has been shaped by people who spent time teaching me every step of the way. With that help, I continued to learn and improve to make my way here,” Beltré said.

He spoke about how his introduction to baseball came when he was 13 years old and a friend in his native Dominican Republic invited him to play on his team. He paid his entry fee with left-over birthday money and quickly became a starter on the team. By the time he was 15, he was getting noticed by Major League Baseball scouts.

“To the Rangers fans, you have embraced me since day one,” Beltré said. “Your support for me and my family is incredible. Thank you so much. You guys are the best. And like they say, everything is bigger in Texas. You guys show me big love. I love you all.”

Jim Leyland managed 22 seasons in the majors with four different ballclubs, beginning with the Pirates in 1986, the Marlins, Rockies and Tigers. He won three pennants in his career and the 1997 World Series title with the Marlins. He won six division titles and finished with 1,769 career wins, good for 18th on the career list.

“My contributions to our beautiful pastime pale in comparison to the joy it has brought to my life, from the heart of a little boy and the soul of an old man,” Leyland said. “I’d like to thank every player that ever played for me, minors and the majors, because I’m here today because of you, and the four organizations that gave me the opportunity to manage their major league team.”

Leyland made the crowd laugh when he said, “I was having coffee with my wife, and I said, Katie, could you believe in your wildest dreams that I’ve been elected to the Hall of Fame? And Katie replied, Jim, you’re not in my wildest dreams.”

During his minor league career, Leyland played in my hometown with the Jamestown Falcons in 1965.

Joe Mauer joins Johnny Bench and Ivan Rodriguez as the only catchers to be elected on their first ballot. He was the first catcher ever to win the American League batting title, and won three of them, and the first Hall of Famer to play his entire career in the 2000s.

Mauer played 15 seasons, all with the Twins, and grew up St. Paul, Minnesota. He hit .306 with a .388 on-base percentage. He racked up 2,123 hits, 428 doubles, 143 home runs, 923 RBI and 1,018 runs. He ranks ninth in career WAR among catchers. He’s one of 12 catchers to win an MVP.

“Much of my early childhood was spent watching Twins’ games and pretending to be a big leaguer in my backyard, and at various neighborhood parks with my brothers,” Mauer said. “Many of those parks were the same fields that fellow hall of famers [and St. Paul natives] Dave Winfield, Paul Molitor, and Jack Morris played on, as well. It will never be lost on me that the same guys I pretended to be in my yard are men I grew up to know personally.”

Some day I hope to get back to Cooperstown and see all the plaques of those who have been inducted since the last time I was there. Until then, I’ll continue to support the National Baseball Hall of Fame and read my copy of the annual Hall of Fame Yearbook.

TULSA BEACON RADIO

Tune in to “Tulsa Beacon Weekend” radio show every week, featuring interviews with local and national level guests, talking about everything from politics to family issues. This week my guests will be former Tulsa City Councilor and political commentator Todd Huston, and the man who carries the cross around the world, Keith Wheeler. The show airs on Saturday at 12:00 p.m. CST on 970am KCFO.