Plaque Caps

COOPERSTOWN, N.Y. – A Hall of Fame career is not determined over one play, on season or one award. It is earned over a career of ten or more years of consistent excellence.

The bronze plaque in Cooperstown lists each team a player has played for during his career, but his cap shows the marks of the team with which he made his most indelible mark. For Roberto Alomar and Bert Blyleven in 2011, that will be the Toronto Blue Jays and Minnesota Twins.

"I will go into the Hall of Fame with a Blue Jays hat," said Alomar. "The first Blue Jay ever to go with a Blue Jay hat and I'm looking forward to it."

The choice of which team logo appears on a player's plaque is the Museum's decision, though the wishes of an inductee are always considered. As a history museum, it is important that the logo be emblematic of the historical accomplishments of that player's career.

For example, it would not be appropriate from an historical standpoint if Babe Ruth's cap had a Red Sox logo, if Ty Cobb's cap had a Philly A's logo, or if Hank Greenberg's had a Pirates logo.

"I want to thank all the teams I played for," said Blyleven. "I am proud to go into the Hall of Fame as a Minnesota Twin along with legends like Rod Carew, Harmon Killebrew and Kirby Puckett. It was a great ride for me, so many great ballclubs I played for and so many great moments."

Samantha Carr is the manager of web and digital media for the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum