MLB Commissioner Emeritus Bud Selig, set to be inducted this afternoon in the Baseball HOF, said his speech will focus on his "remarkable journey" of more than 50 years in the sport. Selig will be introduced during by HOF Chair Jane Forbes Clark and current MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred, who aided with the speech along with former MLB Senior VP/Public Relations Rich Levin and MLB.com columnist Richard Justice. Selig, celebrating his 83rd birthday today, will be inducted along with Braves Vice Chair John Schuerholz and former players Jeff Bagwell, Tim Raines and Ivan Rodriguez. Numerous industry execs will be present today in Cooperstown, including Brewers Owner Mark Attanasio, Astros Owner Jim Crane, Braves Chair & CEO Terry McGuirk, MLB President of Business and Media Bob Bowman, Braves Chair Emeritus Bill Bartholomay, and A’s Chair Emeritus Lew Wolff, among many others.
J.G. Taylor Spink Award recipient Claire Smith yesterday became the first woman to win the award and be enshrined in the HOF. She was the first full-time female reporter to cover an MLB beat as well as the first African-American woman. The full text of her speech can be read on ESPN.com.
