COOPERSTOWN, NY -- The big question surrounding a Baseball Hall of Fame induction day like no other was simple: How many people would show up?
You ask around in the days leading up to a ceremony a long time in the making. Ted Simmons, who retired in 1988, was tabbed by an era committee at the 2019 winter meetings, along with late labor pioneer Marvin Miller. A month later, they were joined in the Baseball Writers' Association of America balloting by last-chance candidate Larry Walker and first-timer/no-brainer Derek Jeter.
Jeter's selection had the folks at the Hall jazzed.