Baseball HOF induction roundup: Plaques, highlights from 2022 class

The National Baseball Hall of Fame welcomed its class of 2022 on Sunday as David Ortiz, Gil Hodges, Jim Kaat, Minnie Minoso, Tony Oliva, Bud Fowler, and Buck O'Neil were all enshrined in Cooperstown.

David Ortiz

Career WAR: 55.3
Year on ballot: 1st
Percentage of vote: 77.9%
HOF hat: Red Sox
HOF plaque:

"Powerhouse left-handed slugger who was at his best in the clutch, with legendary postseason performances that took the Red Sox from a championship drought to three World Series titles in a 10-year stretch. Eight times named the top designated hitter while earning 10 All-Star selections. Drove in 100 or more runs in 10 seasons, leading the American League three times. His 541 home runs, 632 doubles, and 1,768 RBIs are all-time highs among designated hitters. Extra-innings walk-off hits in Games 4 and 5 of 2004 ALCS netted (him) series MVP honors. Set AL record for batting average (.688) en route to the 2013 World Series MVP."

Gil Hodges

Golden Era Ballot
Career WAR: 43.9
HOF hat: Dodgers
HOF plaque:

"Clean-up hitter and foundational cornerstone of the celebrated Dodgers teams that won seven National League pennants and two World Series over 13 seasons in the late 1940s and '50s. Eight-time All-Star topped 20 home runs in 11 straight years and hit four in one game in 1950. One of the finest defensive first basemen of his era, (he) won the first three Gold Gloves awarded at the position from 1957-59. Finished with 370 home runs, the third-highest total among right-handed batters at the time of his retirement. Managed Washington and New York for nine seasons from 1963-71, leading the "Miracle Mets" to the 1969 World Series title."

Jim Kaat

Golden Era Ballot
Career WAR: 45.2
HOF hat: Twins
HOF plaque:

"Unwavering workhorse left-hander (who) won 283 games and pitched 4,530 1/3 innings across 25 big-league seasons, topping the 200-innings mark 14 times. Anchored the Twins' rotation for 13 years, helping Minnesota to the 1965 pennant. Three-time All-Star had three 20-win campaigns, including back-to-back seasons with the White Sox in 1974-75 when he mastered the quick-pitch delivery. Transitioned to the bullpen in (his) final seasons, aiding in the Cardinals' 1982 World Series victory. Set the standard for fielding excellence among pitchers, earning 16 straight Gold Glove awards. Retired with the most seasons of any pitcher in history (25) and the sixth-most games started (625)."

Minnie Minoso

Golden Era Ballot
Career WAR: 53.8
HOF hat: White Sox
HOF plaque:

"Electrifying left fielder from Cuba blazed a path for generations of Latino ballplayers to follow as the first dark-skinned Latin American to play in the AL or NL. Lifted the Negro National League's New York Cubans to the 1947 championship before setting the American League ablaze with his baserunning and clutch hitting for the "Go-Go" White Sox of the 1950s. Led the AL in stolen bases three times and triples three times from 1951-61 while earning nine All-Star Game selections and three Gold Glove awards. Returned to the White Sox to extend (his) big-league career into five different decades. Across 20 major-league seasons, (he) hit .299 with 195 homers, 216 steals, and a .387 on-base percentage."

Tony Oliva

Golden Era Ballot
Career WAR: 38.4
HOF hat: Twins
HOF plaque:

"Artfully wielded the left-handed line-drive swing throughout a 15-year career that saw him win three batting titles and top the American League in hits five times and doubles four times. Burst into the big leagues with eight straight All-Star seasons from 1964-71, earning MVP votes all eight years. As the 1964 Rookie of the Year, (he) paced the AL in runs, hits, doubles, batting average, and total bases. Won a second straight AL batting crown - the first player to begin a career with back-to-back batting titles - while helping Minnesota win its first AL pennant in 1965. Awarded the 1966 Gold Glove in right field."

Bud Fowler

Early Baseball Era Ballot
Executive
HOF plaque:

"Pioneering pitcher and infielder of Black professional baseball in the late 19th and early 20th centuries (who) spent his youth in Cooperstown before embarking on a nomadic career, starring most everywhere he played. On-field talent led to stints with numerous otherwise all-white teams but opportunities were often short-lived due to racial prejudice. In 1895, (he) helped form the Page Fence Giants, one of the most famous teams on the Black barnstorming circuit. Spearheaded the creation and promotion of several other successful clubs while moving from pitcher to second base and, at various times, managing."

Buck O'Neil

Early Baseball Era Ballot
Executive
HOF plaque:

"Character, integrity, and dignity defined a life dedicated to baseball - as a player, manager, scout, coach, and champion of Negro Leagues legacies. Starred at first base for the Negro American League powerhouse Kansas City Monarchs of the late 1930s and '40s, winning the Negro World Series in 1942. Took the helm as a successful Monarchs manager (from) the 1940s through the mid-1950s. Scouted for the Cubs, helping numerous Black players transition to the American and National Leagues, then (he) became the first Black coach in NL or AL history with Chicago in 1962. In later life, (he) gave voice to the Negro Leagues, eloquently preserving its culture and legends."