Derek Jeter’s Baseball Hall of Fame induction moved to 2021

There might still be baseball in 2020, but it won’t be in Cooperstown. Derek Jeter will have to wait another year for his Hall of Fame weekend, as the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum announced Wednesday this year’s induction ceremonies were canceled due to health concerns surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic. The Hall’s board …

There might still be baseball in 2020, but it won’t be in Cooperstown.

Derek Jeter will have to wait another year for his Hall of Fame weekend, as the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum announced Wednesday this year’s induction ceremonies were canceled due to health concerns surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Hall’s board of directors voted unanimously to push this year’s ceremony back a year and combine it with the 2021 class. It had been scheduled for July 23-26.

The move was anticipated, as the thought of an expected record crowd of perhaps 70,000 for Jeter seemed particularly unwise given the current bans on large gatherings. And with the dozens of Hall of Famers from around the country who gather at the ceremony every year — many of whom are older and especially vulnerable to the coronavirus — there was almost no way for the ceremonies to go forward.

“Induction Weekend is a celebration of our National Pastime and its greatest legends, and while we are disappointed to cancel this incredibly special event, the Board of Directors’ overriding concern is the health and well-being of our new inductees, our Hall of Fame members, our wonderful fans and the hundreds of staff it takes to present the weekend’s events in all of its many facets,” Jane Forbes Clark, chairman of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, said in a statement. “In heeding the advice of government officials, as well as federal, state and local medical and scientific experts, we chose to act with extraordinary caution to make this decision.”

Larry Walker (l) and Derek JeterN.Y. Post: Charles Wenzelberg

Jeter, who was selected by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America, was scheduled to go in alongside Larry Walker and Ted Simmons, as well as the late Marvin Miller, the former executive director of the Major League Baseball Players Association who helped bring free agency to the game.

Now, they may be joined by Curt Schilling, who is the most likely to be voted into next year’s class by the BBWAA.

Based on the voting released in January, Schilling could be the only player elected next year, so the addition of Jeter to the weekend would still bolster attendance.

Roger Clemens and Barry Bonds will also be on the ballot for the ninth time, one shy of the limit, but both steroid-scarred stars would need significant bumps to get enshrined.

“Being inducted into the Hall of Fame will be an incredible honor, but the health and safety of everyone involved are paramount,” Jeter, now CEO of the Marlins, said in a statement. “I respect and support the decision to postpone this year’s enshrinement and am looking forward to joining current Hall of Famers, fans, staff and my family and friends in Cooperstown in 2021.”

The Hall of Fame had held an induction ceremony in Cooperstown every year since 1961. There were no ceremonies in 1950, 1958 and 1960 after voting resulted in no new members. And in 1942, Rogers Hornsby was elected but an induction ceremony was not held due to travel restrictions related to World War II.

“It was a very difficult decision, but with so many unknowns facing the world, the Board felt strongly that this was the right decision,” said Joe Morgan, a Hall of Fame member and vice chairman of the board of directors. “Our Class of 2020 electees should enjoy the same wonderful experience that I did when I was elected, and they will have that opportunity next summer.”