Cal Ripken’s Hall of Fame induction day

Cal Ripken Jr. throws out the ceremonial first pitch along with his daughter, Rachel (left), at the begining of the Aberdeen Ironbirds and the Oneonta Tigers New York-Penn League game held at Doubleday Field in Cooperstown, N.Y.  (LLOYD FOX / Baltimore Sun)

Cal Ripken Jr. gets a handshake from former coach Andy Etchebarren at the beginning of the Aberdeen Ironbirds and the Oneonta Tigers New York-Penn League game held at Doubleday Field in Cooperstown, N.Y.  (LLOYD FOX / Baltimore Sun)

Liam Gresser, 10, of Breezy Point N.Y., catches a baseball as part of an estimated 70,000 fans head to the Baseball Hall of Fame inductions of Cal Ripken and Tony Gwynn.  (LLOYD FOX / Baltimore Sun)

Cal Ripken Jr. gets a standing ovation from the fans at the begining of the Aberdeen Ironbirds and the Oneonta Tigers New York-Penn League game held at Doubleday Field in Cooperstown, N.Y.  (LLOYD FOX / Baltimore Sun)

Cal Ripken Jr. and his wife, Kelly, arrive at the Baseball Hall of Fame Gala held at the Hall of Fame.  (LLOYD FOX / Baltimore Sun)

Fans try to get Cal Ripken Jr.’s autograph today after he threw out the ceremonial first pitch at the begining of the Aberdeen Ironbirds and the Oneonta Tigers New York-Penn League game held at Doubleday Field in Cooperstown, N.Y.  (LLOYD FOX / Baltimore Sun)

Orioles owner Peter G. Angelos gets a program as he heads in for Cal Ripken Jr.’s induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame.  (LLOYD FOX / Baltimore Sun)

Cal Ripken Jr. gets ready to tee off on the first hole of the National Baseball Hall of Fame Invitational held at the Leatherstocking golf course in Cooperstown, N.Y.  (LLOYD FOX / Baltimore Sun)

Cal Ripken Jr. is pictured on the second hole of the National Baseball Hall of Fame Invitational held at the Leatherstocking golf course in Cooperstown, N.Y.  (LLOYD FOX / Baltimore Sun)

Ted Mebust, 7, of Cooperstown selling his handmade “Cal Rocks” on the route heading to where Cal Ripken Jr. and Tony Gwynn were to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.  (LLOYD FOX / Baltimore Sun)

Cal Ripken Jr. holds his Baseball Hall of Fame plaque along with former San Diego Padre Tony Gwynn after their induction.  (LLOYD FOX / Baltimore Sun)

Actor Richard Gere and his son attended the Baseball Hall of Fame inductions of Cal Ripken Jr and Tony Gwynn.  (LLOYD FOX / Baltimore Sun)

Cal Ripken Jr. makes his Hall of Fame induction speech, wiping away tears when he started to talk about his family.  (LLOYD FOX / Baltimore Sun)

The largest crowd in Hall of Fame history gathered to watch the Baseball Hall of Fame induction of Cal Ripken Jr and Tony Gwynn.  (LLOYD FOX / Baltimore Sun)