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On Wednesday, the Board of Directors for the National Baseball Hall of Fame officially announced the cancelation of the 2020 Induction Weekend due to the health and safety concerns revolving around the current public health crisis.
The board announced that all 2020 inductees will now be introduced next year, joining those selected in the class of 2021.
Our Board of Directors has voted unanimously to cancel 2020 Induction Weekend, due to health and safety concerns associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. The Class of 2020 will be inducted in 2021, alongside any Class of 2021 electees, on July 25, 2021 https://t.co/iecNYeoH95 pic.twitter.com/O99EIXWpqm
— National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum ⚾ (@baseballhall) April 29, 2020
“Induction Weekend is a celebration of our National Pastime and its greatest legends, and while we are disappointed to cancel this incredibly special event, the Board of Directors’ overriding concern is the health and well-being of our new inductees, our Hall of Fame members, our wonderful fans and the hundreds of staff it takes to present the weekend’s events in all of its many facets,” said Jane Forbes Clark, Chairman of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. “We care deeply about every single person who visits Cooperstown.”
The 2020 Hall of Fame class, which includes the likes of Derek Jeter, Larry Walker, and Ted Simmons, will now officially be inducted on July 25th, 2021 in Cooperstown.
“It was a very difficult decision, but with so many unknowns facing the world, the Board felt strongly that this was the right decision,” said Hall of Fame member Joe Morgan, Vice Chairman of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum’s Board of Directors. “Our Class of 2020 electees should enjoy the same wonderful experience that I did when I was elected, and they will have that opportunity next summer.”