Who gave your favorite Hall of Fame induction speech?
 

I've found myself putting HoF induction speeches from YouTube on in the background while at work. While most of them tell a childhood story and then go through a 30 minute list of thank you's ending in a tearful salute to their wife/parent/children/coach, some make a real break from the norm. Bob Uecker's is a great example.

But I think my all-time favorite is Cy Young at the 1939 Induction. It's short and sweet (not as short as Walter Johnson's 10 second speech), but he sounds exactly like my deceased grandfather. For that alone, I love listening to it over and over.

What about you folks?

Ernie Harwell


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Bob Uecker

My Favorite HOF Speech
 

Ernie Harwell.

Pee Wee Reese.

Rickey Henderson gave the most unintentionally hilarious speech ever delivered.

Ted Williams and his appeal for inclusion of Negro Leaguers.

+1 even though I'd heard most of it on talk shows over the years.

+1,000 for Uecker!

Bill

Michael Jordan

Ryne Sandberg

Carl Yastrzemski

Marlon Brando....

Looking forward to Ichiro's.

Robin Yount

I was lucky enough to make it to Cooperstown 11 years in a row during induction weekend and my favorite speech hands down was Phil Rizzuto “Holy cow”

I would go with either Bob Uecker or Bill Mazeroski.

I really liked Mazeroski’s as well. He seemed humbled to be there, and very gracious.

not sure but rickey henderson always stands out lol / can’t wait to see curt schillings speech

Micheal Munoz, son of Anthony Munoz, during his HOF induction.


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Let me just add the link to Sandberg's HOF speech.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RuxyTRfqCJU

Incredibly significant and should not be overlooked.

Derek Jeter

Wait, what year is it?

I happened to be in the first section of seats for Phil Rizzuto's Induction speech. It was outstanding. I sat behind & 1 chair over from Bill White, who was laughing hysterically throughout. That speech is in the Hall of Fame, of Hall of Fame speeches.

I’m in the Uecker group also. It’s beyond awesome. The man is a treasure.

Ted Williams
 

Have been to some of the recent inductions. Ted Williams speech was ahead of its time.

In 1966 Ted Williams, speaking without notes, said thus:

“I hope that someday, the names of Satchel Paige and Josh Gibson can … be added to the symbol of the great Negro League players that are not here only because they were not given a chance,”

It took five years but it happened. And the Splinter helped it happen.

Scooter
 

Without a doubt Phil Rizzuto. An absolute scream.

Is Ray Lewis done at the PFHOF yet?

Ted Williams's speech was the one I most appreciate --
Terry Bradshaw's was very funny... Michael Jordan's might be the most revealing -- especially from such a famously uncontroversial athlete.
I'm not really a golf fan but Tiger Woods is being inducted to his sports HOF this year and I'd love it if he were to go the Jordan route or at least be a little uncontroversial.

No doubt about it
 

Bob Uecker

When they talked Walter into running for Congress in 1940, he agreed on the condition that he didn't have to make any speeches. He lost, but the race left behind some cool memorabilia.

Don't want to be a downer, but in looking through all the players' speeches posted here, it really saddened me seeing how the crowd of HOF'ers seated behind the inductees are virtually all gone now. Yowza!! It was just a couple of years ago that all of these guys were alive and vital. Life is short. Remember that.

Some favorites:

• Reggie is and always will be 'The Man.' He has always seemed like such a cocky, 'the world is my oyster' kinda guy (maybe that's why I loved him), but so much of his speech was about friends, family, teammates (and God) and respect for the game.

• Ryne Sandberg and his entire drumbeat theme of "respect" for the game. Beautiful!!

• Bob Eucker and The Scooter? I mean, come on, laughs abound.

There was also a great interview with Jackie Robinson on The Dick Cavett Show that popped up. That was really special, and it showed his complex personality. Obviously a real smart, compassionate man who had a comfortable way of carrying himself and discussing the issues of his life. Far from the portrayals of him as an angry, bitter guy. Love coming across things like that.

So Cool!

Thanks for sharing Hank!

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