Baseball Hall of Fame Inducts Three

Three new members were officially inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown Sunday afternoon.  Pre-integration Era Committee electees were Hank O'Day, Jacob Ruppert and Deacon White.  The ceremony was held at the Clark Sports Center located about one mile from the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Hank O'Day was a turn-of-the-century umpire.  Jacob Ruppert was a longtime New York Yankees owner who acquired Babe Ruth from the Boston Red Sox and built the original Yankee Stadium.  Deacon White was a late 19th-century catcher/third baseman.  All three were inducted posthumously.

Dennis McNamara, the grandnephew of O'Day, represented his family in making the induction speech.  Jacob Ruppert's grandniece, Anne Vernon, accepted on behalf of his family and the great grandson of Deacon White, Jerry Watkins, gave the acceptance speech for his family.

In addition 12 Hall of Famers from the late 1930's to mid 140's era were honored.  Due to travel restrictions imposed World War II or illness these Hall of Famers were not able to attend their inductions. Those honored included Lou Gehrig, Rogers Hornsby and Wilbert Robinson.

The ceremonies were delayed by 53 minutes due to heavy rain that moved into the area.  Also honored were J.G. Taylor Spink Award-winner Paul Hagen for his contributions to baseball writing and the Ford C. Frick award-winner Tom Cheek, longtime Voice of the Toronto Blue Jays.