70,000 friends and fans attended the induction ceremony of Tony Gwynn and Cal Ripken Jr. today at the Baseball Hall Of Fame, Cooperstown, NY. Both players were first-ballott inductees by the Baseball Writers' Association of America.

Due to weather concerns the order of the presentations was adjusted.
Mr. Padre, Tony Gwynn lead off the proceedings;

"I believe that if you love something in this game, you got to put the work in," said Gwynn. "My father said, 'If you work hard, good things will happen, I worked hard, because I had to. I wasn't talented enough to get by just on ability. I had to do the video stuff, go about my business and do things the way I did. We make a big deal out of trying to make decisions and do things right, and that's what we're supposed to do."

Cal Ripken Jr. began his speech thanking his fans but remained humble, "I know some of you look back at the streak as an accomplishment, and while I appreciate it, I just look at it as showing up to do your work every day. Teachers, mothers fathers, businesspeople, many others. You all may not receive the accolades that I did through my career. So I'd like to salute you all for showing up, working hard and making the world a better place. Thank you all."

55 of the 63 living Hall of Famers (including Ripken and Gwynn) attended the ceremony. The biggest collection of Hall of Famers in history. Tony Gwynn spent all 20 years of his career as a San Diego Padre. Cal Ripken Jr. spent his entire 21 years as a Baltimore Oriole.