Jim Rice, Rickey Henderson and Joe Gordon are the newest members of the Baseball Hall of Fame, and will be inducted on Sunday, July 26, 2009 in Cooperstown, NY.
INDUCTEES
Hit a Home Run in his Final Hall of Fame At-Bat
Jim Rice played his entire career with the Boston Red Sox, following in the footsteps of fellow Red Sox Hall-of-Fame leftfielders Carl Yastrzemski and Ted Williams. Rice is the only player in Major League history to have three straight seasons of .300, 200 hits, 35 home runs, and 100 RBI. He was inducted in his 15th and final year of eligibility.
The Greatest Leadoff Hitter of All-Time
Rickey Henderson was a flashy player for the A's and eight other teams over 25 seasons. Henderson holds the Major League career records for stolen bases (1406), runs scored (2295), and lead-off home runs (81). He received 94.8% of the votes in his first year of eligibility.
Flash Gordon of the 20th Century
Joe Gordon was a flashy fielder and power-hitting second baseman for the Yankees and Indians. Gordon set many fielding and hitting records for second basemen during his career including the World Series. Gordon was elected by the Veteran's Committee.