Hall Of Fame.

MLB has one thing that the other sports does not have - history. Couple of times a year baseball history comes out and distracts us from baseball's present which is for the most part is a steroid covered mess. With Barry Bonds chasing 755, these have not been good times for baseball. Sure the Giants are happy with their collection at the gate and probably their TV ratings as well, but MLB as a whole has looked more uncomfortable than a 60 year old white millionaire at a Lil' Wayne concert! But today's Hall Of Fame induction ceremony saved at least one day for baseball. Cal Ripken Jr and Tony Gwynn were inducted in what could be one of the best pair of people inducted into the hall in the same class.

The whole "class guy" moniker is thrown around recklessly these days in Sports. It would be interesting to dig up and document how many media honks called Michael Vick a "class guy" in the past 5+ years before the dog fighting deal. The point is, we don't know any of these guys, but Cal and Tony seem to me like decent human beings all around. They have always been considered good guys and have handled the media and the fans with dignity over the years. Especially Tony Gwynn, I love that guy. I have always felt Cal Ripken is just a bit over-rated because of his consecutive game record. Awesome record, but still a little over-rated because it's not really related to the game on the field directly. But I am sure he makes it to the hall even without the streak. As for Tony, no questions asked. He is a straight-up, first ballot hall of famer. And the special thing about these 2 guys is that they played for the same team their entire career. Thats becoming rarer and rarer in all of sports. Among the stars today, probably Derek Jeter, Albert Pujols, Joe Mauer and David Wright are the only ones I can think of who might play their entire career in one town (once Craig Biggio is done that is).

Almost 70,000 people showed up for the induction ceremony today. Thats a great day for baseball and Cal since most of the East coast crowd had come in for him. But starting tomorrow, MLB has to deal with Bonds again who is at 754. Bud Selig was probably hoping Bonds will break the record this weekend as he had a good excuse to stay away at the hall of fame ceremonies. Now he needs to show up somewhere to watch the chase.