Amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Hawk Harrelson is fully supportive of the Hall of Fame's decision to postpone induction weekend.
The legendary White Sox broadcaster was announced as the Ford C. Frick Award winner in December, earning him entry into the broadcasting wing of the Hall of Fame, and he was set to deliver a highly anticipated speech during induction weekend in Cooperstown.
But the Hall of Fame announced Wednesday that the induction will be pushed back to July 2021 as the United States continues its fight against the coronavirus.
"This was absolutely the right decision," Harrelson said in a statement. "Everyone’s safety — the fans, the Hall of Famers, their families and friends — is the most important concern. We all need to stay safe and healthy.
"I do feel badly for the people of Cooperstown and the staff at the Hall of Fame because of what the weekend means to the area, but we all will have fun in July 2021 when we all can join together safely to celebrate two classes on induction weekend."
This summer's originally scheduled induction weekend was expected to draw a large number of fans with New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter headlining the Class of 2020, which also includes Larry Walker, Ted Simmons and Marvin Miller.
Harrelson and those other baseball legends will now wait to join the sport's ultimate fraternity until next year, alongside the Class of 2021.
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