Carew’s Hall of Fame Entry Seconded During Ceremony

As Rod Carew thanked the late Billy Martin for his development as a major league player, thunder rolled across the gathering outside the Hall of Fame.

Said Carew, who played for Martin with the Minnesota Twins: “That rumble you just heard was Billy’s message, saying he approved of what’s happening here today.”

Also enshrined were pitchers Gaylord Perry and Ferguson Jenkins, second baseman Tony Lazzeri and owner Bill Veeck.

“I never even dared dream a day like this would arrive,” said Carew, who hit .328 and won seven batting titles in 19 seasons with the Twins and Angels.

He was the American League MVP in 1977, batting .388 with 239 hits, 16 triples and 100 runs batted in.

Jenkins, who pitched for the Chicago Cubs, Philadelphia Phillies, Texas Rangers and Boston Red Sox, had a record of 284-226 in 19 seasons. He had a streak of of six consecutive 20-win seasons, including 1971, when he won the Cy Young award with a 24-13 record.

“My mother knew before I did which sport I should play,” said Jenkins. “She always knew this was the game I wanted to do wholeheartedly.”

Perry came up with the San Francisco Giants in 1962 and was 314-265 in 22 years. He won the AL Cy Young in 1972, going 24-16 for the Cleveland Indians. He won the NL Cy Young in 1978, going 21-6 with the San Diego Padres. He also pitched for the Atlanta Braves and Seattle Mariners.

“I remember a neighbor saying, ‘All those Perrys do is play baseball and their dad is worse,’ ” said Perry, whose brother, Jim, also was a top major league pitcher.

Lazzeri hit .292 in 14 seasons, 11 with the New York Yankees. In a 1936 game against Philadelphia, he drove in 11 runs with two grand slams, a solo homer and a two-run triple.

Veeck owned the Chicago White Sox, Cleveland Indians and St. Louis Browns. His legendary stunts included sending a midget up to bat in a game in 1951.

Joe Garagiola received the Ford C. Frick award, honoring his four decades of work in the broadcast booth. Phil Collier of the San Diego Union received the J.G. Taylor Spink award for his baseball coverage over four decades.