The Hall will have to wait; Jeter, Walker get pushed to 2021 ceremony

In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, all sports have obviously been put on hold.  The NHL and NBA have been working on a plan to get their seasons started up again after pausing in mid-March, and Major League Baseball has been trying to see what their best options are for starting what will most certainly be a shortened season.

Unfortunately for baseball as a whole, the pandemic has also affected the Baseball Hall of Fame and more importantly the upcoming 2020 Hall of Fame ceremony.  It was announced yesterday that the Baseball Hall of Fame has canceled the Induction Ceremony this July, and put out the following message;

“Induction Weekend is a celebration of our National Pastime and its greatest legends, and while we are disappointed to cancel this incredibly special event, the Board of Directors’ overriding concern is the health and well-being of our new inductees, our Hall of Fame members, our wonderful fans and the hundreds of staff it takes to present the weekend’s events in all of its many facets,” said Jane Forbes Clark, Chairman of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. “We care deeply about every single person who visits Cooperstown.”

“In heeding the advice of government officials as well as federal, state and local medical and scientific experts, we chose to act with extraordinary caution in making this decision,” Clark continued. “The Board of Directors has decided that the Class of 2020 will be inducted and the 2020 Award Winners will be honored as part of next summer’s Hall of Fame Weekend, taking place July 23-26, 2021.”

Unfortunately for Derek Jeter, Larry Walker, Marvin Miller and Ted Simmons, they’ll have to wait another year before they’re properly inducted.  It’s an unfortunate but necessary measure that had to be taken, and Derek Jeter will get his day in the sun next year.