BY SAMANTHA CARR
A Hall of Fame career is not determined over one play, one season or one award. It is earned over a career of 10 or more years of consistent excellence.
The bronze plaque in Cooperstown lists each team a player has played for during his career, but his cap shows the marks of the team with which he made his most indelible mark.
For Roberto Alomar and Bert Blyleven in 2011, that will be the Toronto Blue Jays and Minnesota Twins, respectively.
Alomar and Blyleven were elected to the Hall by the Baseball Writers Assoication of America earlier this month.
“I will go into the Hall of Fame with a Blue Jays hat,’’ Alomar said. “The first Blue Jay ever to go with a Blue Jay hat and I’m looking forward to it.’’
Alomar, who played with eight teams during a 17-year career, won back-to-back World Series titles with the Blue Jays in 1992-93.
The choice of which team logo appears on a player’s plaque is the museum’s decision, though the wishes of an inductee are always considered.
As a history museum, the Hall of Fame said it is important that the logo be emblematic of the historical accomplishments of that player’s career.
“I want to thank all the teams I played for,’’ Blyleven said. “I am proud to go into the Hall of Fame as a Minnesota Twin along with legends like Rod Carew, Harmon Killebrew and Kirby Puckett. It was a great ride for me, so many great ballclubs I played for and so many great moments.’’
Blyleven, who played with six teams during a 23-year career, helped the Twins to the 1987 World Series title. He also won a World Series with Pittsburgh Pirates in 1979.
SAMANTHA CARR is the manager of web and digital media for the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum.
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Hall cap selections announced
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