Compiled by staff
Ceremony is today at 12:30 p.m. central time
The eyes of the baseball world will be focused on Cooperstown July 21 – 24, with the legends of the game ascending on Cooperstown, New York to see history unfold during Hall of Fame Weekend. Cardinals fans will be excited to see Scott Rolen getting inducted. Fred McGriff and Rolen will be inducted as Class of 2023 at National Baseball Hall of Fame on Sunday.
We have a feature about someone who is going to Cooperstown to honor Rolen: She’ll be at the Hall of Fame Ceremony to support Scott Rolen, who supported her son: https://stlsportspage.com/2023/07/19/shell-be-at-the-hall-of-fame-ceremony-to-support-scott-rolen-who-supported-her-son/
Rolen enjoyed a round of golf in Cooperstown with his son on Saturday. But for the soon-to-be inducted member of the Class of 2023, the environment was positively surreal.“I was just on the 18th hole. I didn’t even know where 18 was when I was standing on it,” Rolen told the assembled media at the annual Hall of Fame Golf Tournament. “None of this is going to set in for quite some time.”
Today and tonight’s festivities marked the final hours before officially joining the sport’s greatest team. The Induction Ceremony will take place at 12:30 p.m. central time on Sunday on the grounds of the Clark Sports Center in Cooperstown. The Ceremony, which is expected to last about two hours, will be broadcast exclusively on MLB Network and livestreamed at MLB.com.
McGriff and Rolen were among about two dozen Hall of Famers at the famed Leatherstocking Golf Course on Saturday, enjoying cool-and-dry summer weather. The Hall of Famers played golf in the morning, then attended the Awards Presentation and the Parade of Legends before relaxing at a private evening reception at the Hall of Fame.
Scott Rolen, who was elected by the BBWAA on Jan. 24 will be joined by McGriff was unanimously elected by the Contemporary Baseball Era Committee on Dec. 4, receiving all 16 possible votes. Carl Erskine, John Lowe and Pat Hughes will be honored with the Buck O’Neil Lifetime Achievement Award, the BBWAA Career Excellence Award and the Ford C. Frick Award, respectively, during Hall of Fame Weekend 2023, July 21-24.
When is the Ceremony?
How to Watch the Hall of Fame Inductions?
The ceremony will be shown exclusively on MLB Network.
Who else will be in attendance?
As of July 10, the Hall of Fame members expected to return to Cooperstown to honor the Class of 2023 include: Jeff Bagwell, Harold Baines, Johnny Bench, Craig Biggio, Bert Blyleven, Wade Boggs, George Brett, Rod Carew, Orlando Cepeda, Andre Dawson, Rollie Fingers, Pat Gillick, Tom Glavine, Goose Gossage, Rickey Henderson, Whitey Herzog, Trevor Hoffman, Fergie Jenkins, Derek Jeter, Randy Johnson, Chipper Jones, Jim Kaat, Tony La Russa, Barry Larkin, Greg Maddux, Juan Marichal, Fred McGriff, Paul Molitor, Jack Morris, Eddie Murray, Mike Mussina, Tony Oliva, David Ortiz, Tony Pérez, Tim Raines, Jim Rice, Cal Ripken, Scott Rolen, Ryne Sandberg, John Schuerholz, Bud Selig, Ted Simmons, Lee Smith, Ozzie Smith, Frank Thomas, Jim Thome, Joe Torre, Alan Trammell, Larry Walker, Billy Williams, Dave Winfield, Robin Yount.
What is the schedule for HOF Weekend?
Planned activities for Hall of Fame Weekend 2023 include:
Hall of Fame Weekend Events
- Friday, July 21: PLAY Ball with Ozzie Smith & special guests (Hall of Famers TBA) 8-11 a.m.
- Saturday, July 22: Hall of Fame Awards Presentation, Alice Busch Opera Theater (Private Event) 3 p.m.
- Saturday, July 22: Hall of Fame Parade of Legends, Main Street 6 p.m.
- Sunday, July 23: Induction Ceremony, Grounds of Clark Sports Center 1:30 p.m.
- Monday, July 24: Legends of the Game Roundtable: Doubleday Field 10:30 a.m. (Featuring Fred McGriff and Scott Rolen)
PLAY Ball with Ozzie Smith: Join a dream team that could only come together in Cooperstown, with Ozzie Smith and Hall of Famer guests hosting a morning experience in a fundraiser for the Hall of Fame’s educational programs. For the 20th year, PLAY Ball returns as Players, Legends And You with an interactive meet and greet starting at 8 a.m. on Friday, July 21 during Hall of Fame Weekend 2023.
Photo, left, shows Hall of Famers Andre Dawson (left), Greg Maddux, Ozzie Smith and Ferguson Jenkins posing for a photo during the 14th annual PLAY Ball event, which Smith has hosted since his Hall of Fame Induction in 2002. The event has raised nearly $40,000 this year for the Museum’s educational programs and Frank and Peggy Steele Internship scholarships. (Ben Platt / MLB.com)
PLAY Ball features over two hours of non-stop interaction, including personalized instruction and the chance to turn double plays. Each participant receives time on the field with these baseball legends, as well as a personalized photo and special mementos of the occasion. This event is open to fans of all ages. Registration for this Museum fundraiser is $750. Space is limited. For questions or to sign up call 607-547-0385. Additional Hall of Famer participants will be announced soon. National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, 8 a.m., Friday.
Parade of Legends: Join the pageantry and excitement as the Hall of Famers ride from the Otesaga Resort Hotel, up Chestnut Street then down Main Street on their way to a private reception at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum during an extended parade route that will begin at the Otesaga Resort Hotel. Main Street, 6 p.m., Saturday.
Legends of the Game Roundtable: The Hall of Fame’s newest members will participate in a Legends of the Game Roundtable event. Tickets to this event will be available for purchase to Museum Members starting Thursday, June 1 by calling 607-547-0397. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for children under 12. Doubleday Field, 10:30 a.m., Monday.
The Museum maintains the following Hall of Fame Weekend hours: Friday: 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.; Saturday: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Sunday: 9 a.m. – 9 p.m.; Monday: 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. Advance tickets are not necessary but are available at baseballhall.org. For Hall of Fame Members, doors open at 8 a.m. on Saturday, Sunday and Monday. As always, Hall of Fame Members receive free admission. A special Members’ only entrance eliminates the need to wait in line. Interested parties may enroll in the membership program in advance at baseballhall.org/join, by calling 607-547-0397 or at the Museum.
