Four Legion Baseball alums inducted in the Baseball Hall of Fame

There are now 81 former American Legion Baseball players enshrined in the Baseball Hall of Fame.

On Sunday, the Baseball Hall of Fame Class of 2019 was inducted in Cooperstown, N.Y., with former American Legion players Harold Baines, Roy Halladay, Mike Mussina and Lee Smith enshrined alongside Edgar Martinez and Mariano Rivera.

For the full list of American Legion Baseball players in the Hall of Fame, click here.

Natchitoches, La., Post 10 alum Lee Smith joined The American Legion for a podcast this week reflecting on his time playing American Legion Baseball.

During his induction, Smith recalled his time in rural Louisiana saying, "It was community that gave me the chance to play baseball."

Baines, who played American Legion Baseball for Talbot Co. (Md.) Post 70, was emotional talking about his hometown of St. Michaels.

"My journey started in a small town on Maryland's Eastern Shore called St. Michaels,” Baines said. “I owe a debt of gratitude to this entire close-knit community for helping raise me as a child and teenager. I would not be where I would be where I am today in baseball or in life without so many people from St. Michaels."

Roy Halladay played American Legion Baseball for Lakewood (Co.) Post 178.

The late pitcher’s wife, Brandy, started the emotional speech by saying, “I’m going to do the best I can to say the things I believe Roy might have said or would have wanted to say if he was here today. The thank yous could and should go on for days when you consider the impact so many people had on Roy’s career.”

Montoursville (Pa.) Post 104 alum Mike Mussina was inducted on the first ballot and reflected on all of the help he received along the way.

“I need to thank everyone who was on the journey with me,” Mussina said. “You’re all piece of a giant puzzle, and whether your contribution was large or small, the final product would not be complete without you.”