My tribute to two new Hall of Famers

2005 was a special year for two aging retired veterans of baseball. Wade and Boggs and Ryne Sandberg were inducted into Cooperstown's Hall of Fame a few weeks ago. I can't think of two more nicer and deserving guys to get voted into Cooperstown. They both had sparkling careers with notable highlights that will never be forgotten. Wade Boggs was a member of the 3,000 hit club and owned a .328 career batting average while he played for the Red Sox, Yankees, and Devil Rays. He batted .300 or higher 15 times. That's remarkable. He was superstitious, believing he could hit well by eating chicken before every big game (Sounds ridiculous to me, but it seemed to work). Boggs was also a five-time batting champion as a left-handed batter. Sporting a thick Colonel Sanders mustache was a prominent feature of the former third basemen. His short inside-outside swing may not have resulted in significant power, but it sure did garner a ton of infield and extra base hits. His memory playing the game of baseball will live forever in the hearts and minds of Red Sox and Yankee fans.

Ryne Sandberg("Ryno") got voted in on ballot on his third attempt. Everyone remembers him as one of the greatest superstars on the Chicago Cubs. He began his career in Philadelphia only playing 13 games before being traded to the Cubs, where he finished out his illustrious 16 year career (1981-1997). Retiring from baseball in 1994, Ryno made a surprise return in 1996. Just like Michael Jordan he tricked the fans of Chicago. Receiving MVP honors in 1982 and 1990 to go along with his 8 or 9 gold gloves. He holds the record for the most games played without an error and has 282 career homeruns. Despite ever playing in a World Series, Sandberg's accomplishments as a major leaguer are impressive. He's a beloved star favorite of Chicago Cubs fans everywhere. I believe he will go down in baseball history as one of the top 3 second basemen of all-time. Congratulations Ryno and Boggsy! You both are now enshrined in the Hall of Fame as two Greats of the Game. You're earned this prestigious award.