Baseball Hall Of Fame Calls Rice, Henderson

Outfielders Jim Rice and Ricky Henderson are the most recent inductees to the Baseball Hall of Fame, along with Joe Gordon who was voted in by the Veterans Committee. Henderson and Rice were among the most memorable players from the 1970's and 1980's, and few disputed that the honor was richly deserved by both men.

Ricky Henderson holds the MLB record for career stolen bases and became only the 44th player to be elected in his first year of eligibility. Henderson led the American League in steals 12 times and holds the record for steals with 1,406, runs scored with 2,295, unintentional walks with 2,129, and home runs leading off a game with 81. Henderson summed up his career with this classy statement:

"My journey as a player is complete. I am now in the class of the greatest players of all time, and at this moment I am very humbled."

Hendersons was inducted into the hall wearing an Oakland As cap on his plaque, and he got emotional remembering his run with late manager Billy Martin who died in a car crash in 1999:

"Billy always got the most out of me. Billy, I miss you so much and I wish you were here today."

Jim Rice was in many ways a complete contrast to the flashy Henderson, known as a stoic, hard nosed professional. He played most of his career as a member of the Boston Red Sox and is beloved by the city's passionate baseball fans. The Red Sox retired Rices number earlier this week. Rice spoke of his indication in the last year of eligibility and what his overdue selection meant to him:

"It doesn't matter that the call came 15 years later. What matters is that I got it. It's hard to comprehend. I am in awe to be in this elite company and humbled to be accepting this honor. I cannot think of anywhere I'd rather be than to be right here, right now, with you and you. Thank you."

Rice batted .298 with 382 home runs and 1,451 runs batted in from 1974 to 1989. He drove in 100 runs or more eight times, batted over .300 seven times, and topped 200 hits four times.

The Veterans Committee tabbed Joe Gordon for Hall membership. Gordon, who died in 1978 was the American League MVP in 1942 and a nine time all star. He still holds the AL mark for career home runs by a second baseman with 246.

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