Joe Torre inducted into the Hall of Fame

A video tribute featuring an interview with Torre’s former teammate TimMcCarver led into a live introduction by Commissioner Bud Selig and Hall curator Jane Forbes Clark. In McCarver’s interview, he referred to Torre as a “master diplomat, a master friend, and a master father figure.”

Torre mentioned the many greats in attendance from his playing days: “A lot of these [pitchers] back there prevented me from getting to the Hall of Fame as a player. Try hitting those guys.” And one last memory from his playing days: “I did have one accomplishment when I was with the Mets as a player ... On July 21st I hit into four double plays in one game. I just wanted to make sure I shared the credit, because I could not have done it if Felix Milan had not hit four singles right in front of me.”

On his career as a whole: “I’ll cut to the chase: I’m here because of the New York Yankees.” The 73-year-old was quick to pay homage to his mentors, especially his longtime coach Don Zimmer and his mid-career trade to the Cardinals and “Playing for a manager who probably had the most impact on what I did as a manager, Red Schoendienst.” “Don Zimmer, aside from costing me a lot of money by introducing me to horse racing, eight years sitting next to me made me into the manager I turned into.”

After the terrorist attacks on 9-11, Torre told his players, “the NY on our hat represents more than the Yankees.”

On the famous flip by Jeter in the 2001 ALCS: “And yes, we do practice that play. There are people who don’t believe that.”

He mentioned coaches Willie Randolph, Jose Cardenal, Lee Mazilli -- who were in the audience -- and also singled out his longtime pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre.

He made a concerted effort to thank the fans as well: “You have turned New York City into a small town for me.”