Derek Jeter will have to wait a year for his induction ceremony into the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
The hall on Wednesday announced that its Class of 2020 induction weekend, originally set for July 24-27, has been canceled due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
The four-person class, which includes Jeter, Larry Walker, Ted Simmons and Marvin Miller, will be honored along with the 2021 class from July 23-26 in Cooperstown, New York.
This will be the first year without an induction ceremony since 1960.
“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 press release. “We care deeply about every single person who visits Cooperstown.”
Jeter, the former star shortstop for the New York Yankees and now the CEO of the Miami Marlins, was a near unanimous selection as a first-time candidate. All but one voter — 396 of 397 — had Jeter on thier ballot.
Only Mariano Rivera (100%), Jeter (99.7%), and Ken Griffey Jr (99.32%) have ever received more than 99% approval.
Over his 20-year career, all with the Yankees, Jeter posted a .310 batting average, 3,465 hits, 260 home runs and 1,311 RBI. He had at least a .300 batting average and 10 home runs in 12 seasons. He won five World Series, was named the MVP of the 2000 World Series and was a 14-time All-Star, five-time Gold Glove Award winner and five-time Silver Slugger.
“Being inducted into the Hall of Fame will be an incredible honor, but the health and safety of everyone involved are paramount,” Jeter 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.”
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