John Beckwith HOF Legend
The baseball legends today welcomed to their exclusive club a new third baseman by the name of Jud Wilson. His induction ceremony was held today at the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame.
"I remember thinking to myself after I had had a couple of good years that if I keep doing this, maybe I just might make it to the Hall of Fame. The dream became a reality today and I must say this is a very proud day.
Over his career Wilson batted .336 and collected 2823 hits, 174 home runs and 1415 RBIs. He played in 2229 games and retired from baseball at age 45. His best years came as a member of the Washington Senators, whose hat he wore at his induction ceremony.
His former manager introduced Wilson saying, "The big thing about Jud is that he could hit any pitch. I don't mean only strikes. He could hit a ball off his ankles or off his ear."
Legends Welcome Mendez to Hall of Fame
He is one of the most dominant starters ever to stand on the mound, and now Jose Mendez will join the other baseball legends as a member of the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame. He will be inducted this weekend.
Tongue in cheek, he told reporters at the press conference, "I want to thank all my teammates who scored so many runs and my fleet-footed outfielders, who ran down so many of my mistakes. Without them, I would have never made it to the Hall of Fame."
He added, "It's like a dream...and yet it's something I never dreamed would happen. It is truly an honor to have your name and your statue among the all-time greats."
He retired at age 41 and in his legendary career Mendez accumulated a 249-245 lifetime record with 2120 strikeouts in 4592.2 innings. In 662 starts, baseball's newest immortal recorded a 3.10 ERA.
Featured image: BALTIMORE - 1925. The Negro League Baltimore Black Sox pose for team portrait sometime during the 1925 season. The stars of the team are Jud Wilson, standing second from right, Pete Hill, wearing a sweater, and Crush Holloway, standing third from left. (Photo by Mark Rucker/Transcendental Graphics, Getty Images)
