Policy, Williams join honorees
Five of the most accomplished figures in Bay Area sports were bestowed an honor befitting their achievements Monday.
The Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame inducted former 49ers executive Carmen Policy, longtime Giants third baseman Matt Williams, jockey Russell Baze, Olympic gold-medalwinning volleyball player Kerri Walsh Jennings and three-time NBA champion — and USF alum — Bill Cartwright into its ranks at the Westin St. Francis hotel.
Under a gilded, filagreed ceiling, the honorees were presented large bronze plaques bearing their likenesses and accomplishments, inscribed in paragraph form. They chatted with friends, family members and admirers, and they posed for pictures.
Policy, who served as vice president and counsel and then president and CEO during the 49ers’ last four Super Bowl wins, expressed disbelief at his inclusion.
“I’m so excited. It is so uplifting, so gratifying that I’m going to accept it and enjoy it,” Policy said, “and however I got here, I’m going to say thank you and you can’t get rid of me now.”
Policy is the 11th man from the 49ers to be inducted into BASHOF, along with Bill Walsh, George Seifert, Joe Montana, Steve Young, Jerry Rice, Ronnie Lott, Roger Craig, Dwight Clark, Brent Jones and former owner Edward J. DeBartolo Jr.
The BASHOF is comprised of 170 Bay Area figures, including Joe DiMaggio, Billie Jean King, Barry Bonds and Helen Hull Jacobs.
“It feels incredible,” said Walsh Jennings, a Santa Clara native. “When I look at who I’m up here with, for people to believe that I’m in this category, it’s just really shocking to me.”
Walsh Jennings, 38, continues to play professionally and said she’s planning on competing in the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.
Every honoree expressed gratitude to the Bay Area, whether he or she grew up here or was a fixture for a local team, like Williams.
“At the end of the day, it’s humbling,” said Williams, who earned four of his five career All-Star Game berths with the Giants. “It’s gratifying and, for me, it feels like home.”