New York Yankees great Derek Jeter took a fun-loving shot at the unknown member of the Baseball Writers' Association of America who didn't put him on their Cooperstown ballot last year during his Hall of Fame induction speech on Wednesday.
"Thank you to the baseball writers, all but one of you, who voted for me," Jeter quipped before breaking into grin amid laughter from the crowd.
Jeter, who was known as "The Captain" and led the Yankees' dynasty of the late 1990s to four World Series victories in five years as their starting shortstop (he was still around when the team won its last championship in 2009, as well), was a shoo-in for the Hall of Fame. In addition to his rings, he picked up 3,465 hits and made 14 All-Star teams over his 20-year career, during which he posted a .310 batting average.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
There really was no reason for anyone to keep him off the ballot once he was eligible, but, alas, there was one holdout, whose identity has not been, and likely will never be, revealed. Therefore, Jeter's longtime teammate Mariano Rivera, who was the Yankees' closer during that run, remains the only player to be elected to the Hall of Fame unanimously.
-
Biggest No. 1 draft pick flops in MLB historyin the spotlight Injuries, bad luck and disappointing performances result in draft infamy for these unlucky players
-
Trump orders NFL team to change name, or elseSpeed Read The president wants the Washington Commanders to change its name back to the 'Redskins'
-
Thunder beat Pacers to clinch NBA FinalsSpeed Read Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Indiana Pacers in Game 7 of the NBA Finals
-
Have the Rockies reached a breaking point?the explainer Baseball's most aimless franchise takes aim at a record set just last year
-
MLB lifts ban on Pete Rose, other dead playersspeed read 16 deceased players banned for gambling and other scandals can now be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame
-
Torpedo bats could revolutionize baseball and players are taking noticeIn the Spotlight The new bats have been used by the New York Yankees with tremendous success
-
Canada beats US in charged 4 Nations hockey finalSpeed Read 'You can't take our country — and you can't take our game,' Prime Minister Justin Trudeau posted after the game
-
Eagles trounce Chiefs in Super Bowl LIXspeed read The Philadelphia Eagles beat the Kansas City Chiefs 40-22
