"Papi! Papi!" David Ortiz tours Baseball Hall of Fame
Former Boston Red Sox slugger David Ortiz toured the Baseball Hall of Fame to prepare for his induction this summer and was greeted with chants of “Papi, Papi” by a group of high school baseball players from Pennsylvania when he entered the Plaque Gallery.
Big Papi elected to HOF; Bonds, Clemens, Schilling left out
David Ortiz was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in his first turn on the ballot, while steroid-tainted stars Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens were denied entry to Cooperstown in their final year under consideration by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America.
Baseball gathers behind home plate to honor Hammerin' Hank
(Kevin D. Liles/Atlanta Braves via AP Pool)ATLANTA – Brian Snitker choked back tears as he remembered Hank Aaron’s affection for those who didn’t possess his unparalleled talent on the baseball field. During his post-playing career running the Atlanta Braves farm system, the Hammer had a penchant for looking beyond the can’t-miss prospects. Noting the 10 Baseball of Famers who have died in the past year, Manfred said Aaron “belongs on our sport’s Mount Rushmore. “The reason I’m here today is because of Hank Aaron,” Snitker said, pausing to maintain his composure. “Hank was very instrumental in me becoming an Atlanta Brave,” Jones said.