Jeter, Walker arrived at Cooperstown via far different paths
For Derek Jeter, the 2020 Baseball Writers’ Association of America Hall of Fame balloting held little suspense. For Larry Walker, it was a completely opposite experience.
But both were humbled when they earned the game’s greatest honor on Jan. 21, 2020.
Jeter, the five-time Yankees World Series champion and 14-time All-Star, had started his Cooperstown clock ticking on Feb. 12, 2014, when he announced his impending retirement at the end of that season. The only apparent question was whether Jeter would tie his former teammate, Mariano Rivera, by becoming the second unanimous BBWAA electee.
Jeter would receive 396 of 397 votes.
“It takes a lot of people to all agree to get you to this point so I’m not thinking about that,” Jeter told the media about his vote total the day after the election. “I’m happy that I’m sitting up here on this stage right now, and that’s just something that doesn’t cross my mind.”
Walker, meanwhile, debuted on the BBWAA ballot in 2011 – more than three years before Jeter announced his retirement. Walker received votes on more than 20 percent of ballots cast his first three years before dropping into the teens for three elections. But starting in 2017, he made a considerable improvement each year before being elected in his 10th-and-final year on the ballot in 2020.
“When I went to bed (after learning he had been elected), I never realized how mentally tired I was and (I) couldn’t sleep,” Walker told the media. “Everything was still spinning around and just the happiness involved.
“I never just sat down and assumed this was going to happen. It still doesn’t make sense that there’s a Hall of Fame out there and I’m in it.”
A three-time batting champion and the 1997 National League Most Valuable Player, Walker became the second Canadian to earn Hall of Fame election (following Fergie Jenkins in 1991) and the seventh player to be elected in his final year of BBWAA eligibility. But Walker – along with fellow living Class of 2020 members Ted Simmons and Jeter – would have to wait a bit longer than usual for their moment in Cooperstown.
The global COVID-19 pandemic forced the postponement of the Induction Ceremony until Sept. 8, 2021 – almost 14 months after the originally scheduled date. Jeter, Simmons and Walker – along with the late Marvin Miller – were honored that day in Cooperstown in what is the latest date ever for an Induction Ceremony.
“Everyone asked about nerves – they assume it’s because of the speech, what I may say or not say, the number of people in attendance or watching at home,” Jeter told the assembled crowd on the grounds of the Clark Sports Center on induction day. “No, no. The nerves are because these guys behind me right now (the Hall of Famers in attendance) and all of those that are a part of the Hall of Fame family.
“The great thing about baseball is its history. That's what makes it so special.”
Craig Muder is the director of communications for the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum
