The Hall of Fame’s induction ceremony this summer will be a TV-only event

Usually, baseball’s Hall of Fame holds an outdoor ceremony to induct new members on a sunny Sunday afternoon in July in Cooperstown, N.Y.

That didn’t happen last summer due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

And the Hall announced Friday that their Hall of Fame weekend May 28-29 is cancelled, and though the 2021 ceremony Sunday, July 25 will happen, but it will be a TV-only event:

“Though we are having to cancel our 2021 Hall of Fame Classic Weekend, the Hall of Fame is maintaining its commitment to hold an Induction Ceremony on July 25,” said Jane Forbes Clark, Chairman of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. “We had hoped to be in a position to welcome loyal baseball fans back to Cooperstown for Induction Weekend, but with the continuing uncertainties created by COVID-19, the Board of Directors has decided not to hold Induction Weekend ceremonies at the traditional Clark Sports Center location. We have prepared alternative plans to conduct our annual Awards Presentation and Induction Ceremony as television events taking place indoors and adhering to all of the required New York State guidelines.”

2021 inductees to the Hall of Fame are Derek Jeter, Marvin Miller, Ted Simmons and Larry Walker. It was expected that Jeter’s induction would bring a large crowd of Yankees fans to Cooperstown, but now they’ll have to watch it on TV.

Also being honored this summer will be Al Michaels, winner of the 2021 Frick Award for broadcasting excellence and Ken Harrelson, who won the 2020 Frick Award. In adition, Dick Kaegel will be honored for the 2021 BBWAA Career Excellence Award and the 2020 winner, the late Nick Cafardo. Lastly, the late David Montgomery, former owner of the Phillies, will be honored as the 2020 Buck O’Neil Lifetime Achievement Award winner.

Hopefully, in 2022 the Hall will be able to return to its usual outdoor ceremony.