Every year I enjoy watching the Baseball Hall of Fame induction ceremony, and one of these years I hope to be there in person.

Sure, I’ve been to the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York, five times, but never during the induction weekend, so I’m forced to watch on television each year. Next year, might be my year, as it will be the last year for Larry Walker, a friend of mine, to be on the ballot, and he missed being voted in this year by a slim margin. There’s been a push to get Walker elected next year, in his final year of eligibility, and if that happens, I would love to be there for the induction ceremony.

Last week, I watched as the class of 2019 was inducted, and what a great class it was. Harold Baines, Roy Halladay (posthumously), Edgar Martinez, Mike Mussina, Mariano Rivera and Lee Smith entered the hall, as 53 returning Hall of Famers attended the ceremony. In total, that brought the number to a record 58 Hall of Fame members gathered in one location at the same time; the most together at any location in history.

On a very warm, 84-degree day in Central New York State, an estimated crowd of 55,000 fans, the second-largest in history, watched the proceedings. The largest attendance ever was 82,000 fans at the 2007 induction of Tony Gwynn and Cal Ripken.

Mussina opened the ceremony by acknowledging all the people who had a role in his development as a baseball player.

“I’m standing up here with the best who ever played the game,” Mussina said. “So, the obvious questions are: What am I doing up here, and how did this happen? I need to thank everyone who was on this journey with me. You’re all a part of a giant jigsaw puzzle.”

Brandy Halladay accepted the honor for her husband who died in a plane accident on November 7, 2017, when his ICON A5 amphibious plane crashed into the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of Florida.

“Anyone who thinks that baseball isn’t truly a family hasn’t been involved in baseball,” said Brandy, during a very emotional speech. “I think that Roy would want everyone to know that people are not perfect. We are all imperfect and flawed in one way or another. We all struggle, but with hard work, humility and dedication, imperfect people still can have perfect moments. Roy was blessed in his life and career to have some perfect moments. But I believe that they were only possible because of the man he strived to be, the teammate that he was, and the people he was so blessed to be on the field with.”

Baines was also emotional, speaking mostly about his family and Maryland home.

“I’m not an emotional man, except when it comes to family,” Baines said. “While baseball often took me away from you for far too long, the game gave us special shared moments, memories like today. I’m very proud of the caring people you have become. Your presence here today makes my journey complete.”

Martinez was cheered by a huge group of Mariners fans and celebrated his humble beginnings in Puerto Rico.

“Seattle fans, thank you for being there for me,” Martinez said. “This is a day I could have never imagined happening when I was growing up in Puerto Rico or in the minor leagues.”

Smith was the only one of this group that I have had the honor of meeting and interviewing. He held the all-time saves record for 13 years and shared the secret of his success.

“No matter where I pitched, I wanted to embody two traits: loyalty and dependability,” Smith said. “I truly believe in all walks of life, if you work hard, and you are loyal and dependable, you can find success.”

Smith said it was a school principal that set him on a path to the hall of fame.

“It was Mr. Sneed, my high school principal, once he called me into his office, I thought I was in trouble,” Smith said. “But instead he wanted me to come out for the baseball team, after seeing me throw a ball in our PE class.”

Rivera closed the ceremony with a reference to his legendary ability to finish games. The all-time saves’ leader was a part of five World Series championships with the Yankees.

“What I want to know is why I always have to be last,” said Rivera, “But I guess it all worked out OK.”

The National Baseball Hall of Fame’s 2020 Induction Weekend will take place July 24-27, 2020, with the Induction Ceremony scheduled for July 26. I’ll have to put that one on my calendar.