Baseball Hall of Fame Class of 2020 Induction Ceremony Canceled Due to COVID-19 Concerns
Baseball fans have been given a bit of optimism lately with rumors about a 2020 season starting up in the summer. That is some much-needed good news during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Yet there is one annual event that has officially been canceled -- the Baseball Hall of Fame induction ceremony. The 2020 class, featuring the likes of Derek Jeter and Larry Walker, will have to wait until 2021 to get their moment in Cooperstown.
BREAKING: Baseball Hall of Fame 2020 induction ceremony has been canceled. Per the HOF, the 2020 class -- Derek Jeter, Marvin Miller, Ted Simmons and Larry Walker -- "will be inducted on Sunday, July 25, 2021," along with inductees from 2020-2021 vote. @MLB @MLBNetwork
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) April 29, 2020
This is a bummer for both the players and fans. However, it was more of an inevitability given concerns around the country in regards to the coronavirus pandemic.
Holding the ceremony with no one in attendance would take away from the magnitude of the moment, and it was the right decision to push it to next year.
National Baseball Hall of Fame unanimously votes to cancel the 2020 Induction Weekend due to the COVID-19 pandemic
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 29, 2020
Derek Jeter and Larry Walker’s induction will be rescheduled for 2021 pic.twitter.com/sAmFXD51pM
A positive spin to this entire situation is that 2021 will feature a loaded induction ceremony. A giant crowd can show up to support the two classes (given large gatherings are allowed by then) and it will be a great celebration of the game of baseball.