Rickey accepts this honor on behalf of Rickey. Rickey hopes that this recognition will finally allow Rickey to get paid like Rickey deserves. Lastly, Rickey would like to thank Rickey for all the support Rickey has show Rickey over the years.

Rickey would also like to congratulate Jim Rice for joining him in Rickey’s Hall of Fame. Sure, Rickey never saw Jim Rice steal no bases. But Rickey thinks there are many paths to the Hall, because Rickey is feeling magnanimous today.

Rickey thinks it’s just a shame that it took so long to get Jim in the Hall, all because a bunch of old fart sportswriters didn’t like him back in day. So what Jim Rice didn’t talk to no reporters? Rickey never talked to no reporters. Rickey didn’t have to. Rickey let his feet do the talking. And his bat. And sometimes both at the same time, which is extremely difficult to pull off. That is, if you ain’t Rickey. Which Rickey happens to be, thank you very much.

As for Andre Dawson and Bert Blyleven, Rickey wishes you best of luck next year. Rickey was honored to honor y’all by playing against you.