[scott1964]

1921 Hall of Fame Inductions

Pioneer Induction
White Joins Greats in NABL Hall of Fame
Sunday, November 6th, 1921
At his Hall of Fame induction legendary pitcher, Will White reminisced about his baseball career: "My how time flies. It is only a mere moment from your first spring training game to your first oldtimer's game. But it a magnificent journey."

Today White was installled into the North American BaseBall League Hall of Fame after his selection by the Baseball Writers Association.

Baseball's newest HOF inductee was one fine hurler. When White retired at age 39, he had registered 149 wins and 162 losses, struck out 1057 hitters, pitched in 414 games and compiled a 2.03 ERA.

Among the many people he mentioned in his induction speech was his first manager.
"He gave me my first opportunity when he could have kept other people. I was lucky -- he was a Will White fan. You can't get in the Hall of Fame without your first chance."


Service Inductions
Left Fielder Installed in Hall of Fame
Sunday, November 6th, 1921
"From the first time I saw him play, I knew he had the potential to be one of the best," Jesse Burkett's first manager said, "and the more I saw him play, the more certain I was that he would reach that potential."

This manager was just one of the people there at Burkett's enshrinement in the North American BaseBall League Hall of Fame. It was a celebration of the career of one of the shining stars of his generation. His teammates loved him and opposing fans loved to hate him, but respect followed him everywhere, as evidenced by the large crowd at the ceremony. Not only were teammates there, but opposing players and managers as well, along with a large throng of fans.

The man of the moment was overcome with emotion when he finally took his turn at the podium to speak. "This is one of the greatest moments of my life and to share it with all of you here is... simply amazing. I would just like to thank my family and all my teammates for their support during my journey here. Individual honor was never my goal, winning was, but this is more than I could have ever dreamed."

Burkett retired at the age of 41 with a .339 career batting average. He mainly played left fielder, participated in 2512 games, hit 101 home runs and batted in 1590 runs.