The Major League Baseball Hall of Fame featured one of the greatest induction classes ever on Sunday, as they presented first-balloters Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine, and Frank Thomas along with legendary managers Joe Torre, Tony La Russa, and Bobby Cox.
A crowd of about 48,000 gathered in Cooperstown, New York to witness history on Sunday when the 2014 Hall of Fame Class, which had the most number of living electees since 1971, was awarded with baseball's highest honor. The only two induction ceremonies that had higher attendance rates were 2007 with 75,000 people (featuring Cal Ripken, Jr. and Tony Gwynn) and 1999 with 50,000 people (featuring Robin Yount, George Brett, and Nolan Ryan).
The milestone achievements of the inducted managers resonate throughout baseball's history. Joe Torre is one of five managers to win at least four World Series (all with the New York Yankees) and is ranked fifth all-time in wins (2,326); Tony La Russa ranks third all-time among managers in wins (2,728) and earned three World Series titles; and Bobby Cox is fourth all-time in wins right behind La Russa, holds the MLB record for most ejections (158), and is one of only four managers to win Manager of the Year in both the American League (Blue Jays) and National League (Braves).
As for the players, inductees Greg Maddux and Tom Glavine both played under Bobby Cox during their time together on the Atlanta Braves. Maddux amassed 355 wins throughout his career, which ranks eighth all-time and the most of any pitcher since 1965. He also had two years in which he recorded ERAs of 1.56 and 1.63 in '94 and '95. Glavine recorded 309 wins during his 22-year career, which is fourth all-time among lefties, and recorded five 20-win seasons. Cox, Maddux, and Glavine won a World Series together in 1995 as members of the Atlanta Braves when they beat the Cleveland Indians in six games. Glavine was named the World Series MVP with a 2-0 record in the series compiling a 1.29 ERA and 0.71 WHIP.
Last but not least, Frank Thomas, who played 19 seasons in the majors (16 with the Chicago White Sox), recorded 521 home runs and 1,704 RBIs with an impressive .301 career batting average throughout his career. Known as one of the greatest and most natural power hitters of all time, 'The Big Hurt' was emotional throughout his 18-minute induction speech during which he didn't stop crying. Thomas won the AL MVP award in '93 and '94 and also finished top ten in batting average a total of ten times in the AL, finishing first in '97.
"Baseball is a game of life. It's not perfect, but it feels like it is," said Joe Torre during his induction speech, summing up his decorated career in the MLB. "That's the magic of it. We are responsible for giving it the respect it deserves. Our sport is part of the American soul, and it's ours to borrow -- just for a while."
You can read more about the 2014 Hall of Fame induction ceremony in this MLB.com article.
