Richie Ashburn 1995 Hall of Fame Induction Speech

Among the most consistent leadoff hitters in Major League history, Richie Ashburn was a solid center fielder and clutch hitter for the Philadelphia Phillies. Ashburn hit over .300 during nine of his 15 seasons, twice capturing the National League batting title, and he concluded his career with a .308 lifetime average. The five-time All-Star selection quickly moved to the broadcast booth following his playing days and called Phillies games for more than three decades.
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The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum is home to the greatest stars and the history of the game. Located in scenic Cooperstown, New York, the Hall of Fame is dedicated to preserving the sport's history, honoring excellence within the game, and connecting generations through baseball.

[@joeiiiful]

I grew up in Philly. Richie Ashburn was a legend to us kids.

[@postalinVT]

RIP Richie. You are missed.

[@why-why-whywhywhy]

Now THIS is how a Hall of Fame speech is done. Love it, GO BRAVES!!!😉

[@cedano80]

Man, I'm so glad i found this footage. As a kid in the 90's I would take my busted transistor radio that i nearly blew up the house with in North Philly and listen to Harry and Whitey all night until i fell asleep. The best duo in all of sports hands down. R.I.P

[@postalinVT]

Yep !!

[@peggyann11]

I WAS THERE THAT DAY AND I WAS VERY PROUD. I HAVE BEEN A PHILLIES FAN FOR 56 YEARS AND I LOVE MY PHILLIES!

[@1962LIBBY]

My great grandfather who I’m so proud to have known and this man. My heroes.

[@stephenmadonna6142]

A Philadelphia god. And that maybe an understatement. Analytics has him as the 12th greater CF in history. So this induction was well deserved. He did seem a bit hurt he was not in sooner, and that is understandable. Interestingly, Eddie Sawyer passed a few weeks after Whitey. From the bottom of my heart Rich, thanks for all of the wonderful memories.

[@ForeignerPhan]

We were so blessed to have had Harry and Whitey in our lives. They were Pure Gold in the booth...just a classic pairing.

[@vincentrobinson9645]

ForeignerPhan Totally agree !!!!!!

[@philliesphan312]

I will never forget them!

[@sXSniping]

I love the Phillies and Richie is a legend!

[@johnkoziol1537]

Class act in EVERY sense of the word!!! Like with Johnny Mize, an honor long overdue! I'm just glad he lived long enough to be able to enjoy the honor and not get in posthumously. Rest in peace, Mr. Ashburn!

[@johndolejsch5102]

Isn't that the truth, unfortunately there's not a lot of people like them out there anymore like Richie Ashburn and Harry kalas was. They both didn't have a phony bone in their body, they were real, treated people with dignity and class and very respectful.

[@juliansmith1951]

Hall of Fame baseball broadcasting partners for the Philadelphia phillies great Harry Kalas & Richie Ashburn aren't forgotten cause legends never die

[@joememphis1571]

Richie and Harry were fantastic and sublime in the way they could broadcast and comment on a baseball game.

[@jhecht75]

Richie was one of the great ones

[@user-ld9xw8ck2r]

It about time

[@Mitch1938]

It’s so sad how he died 2 damn years later… RIP Richie Ashburn.

[@jmadratz]

This speech was why Richie was the greatest broadcaster/color man in Phillies history…and coupled with Harry Kalas the best broadcasting team ever!

[@gynandroidhead]

What a heinous oversight this would've been if he weren't alive. He was a great guy.

[@philliesrednetwork]

Watching this again on the eve of the beginning of the Phils begin the NLCS 22. My dad watched Richie play many many games at the old Connie Mack Stadium. He adored Richie and spoke to him a great deal as a sportswriter. I am choked up-! I know they are now sitting with Harry Kalas cheering on our boys again-! Whitey....you are loved and missed-! Im so excited for the Phils...its red october-! Ya gotta believe

[@darioespino2063]

Richie from Cuba 🇨🇺 with love...My grandfather loves you...And so do I. You are one of the greatest of all time...We miss you..God bless the day you went into the HOF.......God bless the USA....

[@TCB405]

Richie Ashburn set the Tone for Willie Mays

[@steveswangler6373]

in the description it describes Richie as "a solid center fielder". Richie Ashburn was NOT a solid center fielder. Richie Ashburn was the greatest defensive centerfielder of all time, bar none. look it up. 9 times, MLB outfielders have made 500 or more putouts in a season. Richie did it 4 of those 9 times, no other outfielder did it more than once.

[@Paul_Maurone]

I didn't know that. Thanks!

[@TL2354]

No one can help is a ball is hit towards them. Means nothing

[@johnkoziol1537]

Spoken like a true Philadelphia Phillie fan. Two Words: Willie Mays.

[@MrDeterioration]

​@TL2354 it means everything when you catch it, though.

[@TCB405]

​@@johnkoziol1537 Richie played before Willie Mays and he played against Both Mays and Jackie Robinson Richie set the tone for all center fielders he was better then Mickey Mantle literally saying something I'm an Oklahoman like Mickey and he wasn't as good as Ashburn in CenterField Richie set the tone for all Center Fielders just like Rickey Henderson set the tone base stealing I would say base running in general but Ty Cobb set that tone along time ago. So in short Willie May's is good just not as good as the man who set the tone

[@libertybellbill4439]

Great Speech By Whitey ! He Was A Great Player And A Great Announcer Of The Phillies Games

[@buckbuck9225]

What a class act.

[@darrylking2500]

Good Speech

[@kevinward5119]

Whitey and Harry. The soundtrack of Phillies baseball!

[@ThekiBoran]

FYI, the Mets were in Chicago the last game of 1962. The triple play happened in the top of the 8th.

[@diggerthegroundhog8799]

We named our cat Whitey after him

[@jameshoran8]

1995 was a Phillies year with he and Schmidt.

[@wiedep]

Bud 'the car dealer' must have loved hearing that '...without a...commissioner..." the same problems are still there 25 years later.

[@johnbondola3246]

A foul ball was hit up into the radio booth, hit the wall & ricocheted off the wall's. Harry K. could be heard sliding off the chair for cover. In his classic understated, (Nebraska) dry humor, Whitey said, "well until today, I've never seen the face of a coward, until now." Harry, in his classic inimitable style, let it roll of his back & resumed, play-by-play.

[@resurection96]

👏👏👏

[@williamswanfeld8950]

Saw him play many many games,lead off for the Phillies,won the batting title two times that I remember..he beat out Willie Mays it was either the last day or week of the season..

[@davidbranin969]

Hey get your cold beer, get your ice cold Ballantine beer. Too young to see him play. Just the right age to catch his droll excellence in the booth.

[@pgraybengal]

Pete Rose!!!

[@pgraybengal]

"How bout Pete???" LOL

[@jameshoran8]

Only happen when he's in the ground

[@patrickgray5633]

@jameshoran8 never gonna happen cause if they put Pete in the outrage for "Shoeless" Joe Jackson will pick up.

[@patrickgray5633]

Didn't Richie pass away later that year????

[@delhershman3346]

Two years later. I met him in1996. Very nice man.

[@johndolejsch5102]

Richie Ashburn passed away on September 9th 1997 in New York