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Baseball HOF induction roundup: Plaques, speeches from class of 2019

Alex Trautwig / Major League Baseball / Getty

The National Baseball Hall of Fame welcomed its class of 2019 on Sunday as Mariano Rivera, Roy Halladay, Edgar Martinez, Mike Mussina, Lee Smith, and Harold Baines were all enshrined in Cooperstown.

Mike Mussina

Career WAR: 81.2
Year on ballot: 6th
Percentage of vote: 76.7 percent
HOF hat: No team
HOF plaque:

"With command of both sides of the plate and a diverse repertoire, delivered consistent excellence in a career spent entirely in the powerhouse AL East division. Recorded 270 wins and a .638 winning percentage, one of only four live-ball era pitchers to attain both marks. Notched eight seasons with 17 or more victories, including 18 in 1992 - his first full year - and 20 in his final campaign. Helped Orioles and Yankees to nine postseasons in 18-year career. Five-time All-Star and seven-time Gold Glove award winner."

Roy Halladay

Career WAR: 65.4
Year on ballot: 1st
Percentage of vote: 85.4 percent
HOF hat: No team
HOF plaque:

"Top-of-rotation workhorse blended a blistering, sinking fastball with pinpoint control, earning Cy Young awards in both the AL and NL. Eight-time All-Star delivered a .659 winning percentage, 203 career victories and three 20-win seasons. Led his league in strikeout-to-walk ratio five times and innings pitched four times. League leader in complete games seven times, most of any pitcher whose career began after World War II. Threw two no-hit games, both in 2010: A perfect game in the regular season and the second-ever postseason no-hitter in Game 1 of the NLDS."

Harold Baines

Modern Era Ballot
Career WAR: 38.4
HOF hat: White Sox
HOF plaque:

"Respected and clutch left-handed hitter whose professional approach and humble demeanor made him one of the most consistent and reliable players of the 1980s and 1990s. Right-fielder and heart of lineup for the 1983 AL West champion White Sox. Persevered through knee injuries to earn Outstanding Designated Hitter of the Year award in his first two seasons at the position, 1987 and 1988. Six-time All-Star and first overall selection in 1977 MLB Draft. Totaled 2,866 hits and drove in 1,628 runs, retiring 21st on the all-time RBI list."

Edgar Martinez

Career WAR: 65.5
Year on ballot: 10th
Percentage of vote: 85.4 percent
HOF hat: Mariners
HOF plaque:

"One of the game's best pure batsmen, defined designated hitter position with a precise batting eye and ability to consistently drive the ball to all fields. Became the third right-handed batter in history with as many as seven consecutive seasons with a .300 average, .400 on-base percentage, and .500 slugging percentage. Won two batting crowns and three on-base percentage titles, producing seven seasons with at least 20 home runs and six with 100 or more RBI. A seven-time All-Star, earned five Silver Slugger awards in a career that began as a third baseman. Delivered signature moment in Mariners history with walk-off double to secure 1995 ALDS victory."

Lee Smith

Modern Era Ballot
Career WAR:
26.6
HOF hat: Cubs
HOF plaque:

"Combined bat-shattering fastball and darting slider to save 478 games, topping the all-time list for more than a decade. Originally a multi-inning relief ace, totaled 169 saves of more than three outs. Transitioned into feared one-inning closer as bullpen roles specialized, becoming the first to record at least 30 saves in 10 different seasons. Named to seven All-Star teams and earned his league's Reliever of the Year honors three times. Retired with the highest strikeout rate among pitchers with at least 700 relief appearances."

Mariano Rivera

Career WAR: 39.0
Year on ballot: 1st
Percentage of vote: 100 percent
HOF hat: Yankees
HOF plaque:

"Set standard for relief pitchers with unprecedented consistency and efficiency as pillar of Yankees dynasty of the 1990s and 2000s. Devastating cut fastball frustrated batters, generating broken bats at a prolific rate. Saved record 652 games and compiled 2.21 career ERA, lowest for any pitched with at least 1,000 innings in live-ball era. Thirteen-time All-Star recorded 40 or more saves in nine seasons. Native of Panama pitched on five World Series winners, setting postseason records with 42 saves and a 0.70 ERA in 96 appearances. Named World Series MVP in 1999 and ALCS MVP in 2003."

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