Hall of Famers deliver stirring speeches
about how special it was for him to be working alongside Lamont, with the two of them getting teary-eyed as he spoke.
“We became best friends,” Leyland said. “I have so much respect for him as one of the best baseball men I’ve ever been around. I was so proud that he was there today. And I thought it would be totally unfair not to talk about him.”
There was plenty of baseball royalty in the crowd with players like Gary Sheffield, Justin Morneau, Andy Van Slyke, Charles Johnson, Shawn Greene, Felix Hernandez, Nelson Cruz, Joe Nathan, Ian Kinsler, Richie Sexson, Elvis Andrus, Alex Avila, Brian Dozier, Colby Lewis and Mitch Moreland. Former managers Clint Hurdle and Ron Gardenhire were in attendance, as well as current and former GMs Dave Dombrowski, Bill Schmidt, Derek Falvey, Thad Levine, Terry Ryan, Jon Daniels, Al Avila and Bill Smith.
Helton’s former high school teammates and 86-year-old coach Bud Bales were on hand, too, all wearing special Knoxvlle Central High School jerseys teams with Helton’s No. 16 on the back.
“I’m so happy and appreciate of those guys making the trek up here,” Helton said. “Some of those guys sat in airports for 16 hours to get here. Or they ditched the airport, rented three cards, and drove 12 hours to get here.
“That means the world to me.” The new Hall of Famers all thanked their legion of fans, but Leyland, who also led Team USA to the World Baseball Classic title in 2017, ended his speech eloquently, letting everyone know what the fans mean to the game of baseball.
“No matter which Hall of Famers you’re here to support today,” Leyland, “or which team you choose to root for, your presence is always felt. On your feet in the ninth, with the home team clinging onto a one-run lead. Turning on your television for the first game of the World Series and seeing 50,000 fans waving towels, hoping and praying that this may be their year. Or a little boy or girl getting their first autograph, and scurrying back to the fans to show mom and dad.
“Ladies and gentlemen, that’s you. “That’s baseball. And this is the Hall of Fame.”