Flashback #58: Ryne Sandberg HOF Speech (2005)

As of 670 The Score's 20th Anniversary on January 3rd, the station has begun to reveal (in chronological order) the Top 100 Chicago Sports Stories that have occurred since they first went on the air 20 years ago. Once all 100 of these "flashbacks" have been revealed, fans will be able to vote for which stories they believe are the most significant in the 20 year history of The Score. To see all of the Flashbacks that The Score has posted so far, please visit 670 The Score's 20th Anniversary page.

July 24, 2005 - Ryne Sandberg inducted into the Hall of Fame

Ryne Sandberg's Hall of Fame induction speech was one baseball purists would appreciate.

In his speech, Sandberg spoke of playing the game the right way, the pure way. He said the game needs more than home run hitters, citing that turning a double-play and laying down a sacrifice bunt are weapons many players no longer appreciate.

Sandberg also petition for the induction of teammate Andre Dawson into the Hall of Fame saying he was, "The best I've ever seen."

As far as regrets are concerned, Sandberg said his only regret was that he never played in a World Series for Cubs fans.

Here's a clip from Sandberg's speech:

The reason I am here, they tell me, is that I played the game a certain way, that I played the game the way it was supposed to be played. I don't know about that, but I do know this: I had too much respect for the game to play it any other way, and if there was there was a single reason I am here today, it is because of one word, respect. I love to play baseball. I'm a baseball player. I've always been a baseball player. I'm still a baseball player. That's who I am.

The fourth major league game I ever saw in person, I was in uniform. Yes, I was in awe. I was in awe every time I walked on to the field. That's respect. I was taught you never, ever disrespect your opponent or your team mates or your organization or your manager and never, ever your uniform. Make a great play, act like you've done it before, get a big hit, look for the third base coach and get ready to run the bases, hit a home run, put your head down, drop the bat, run around the bases, because the name on the front is a lot more important than the name on the back. That's respect.

The Score will continue to release a new Flashback each weekday until they reach 100. Check back tomorrow for a new one, or check out all of the previous Flashbacks: 670 The Score's 20th Anniversary »