Photographs by Jesse Saucedo
Over 200 baseball fans packed the Pasadena Public Library’s Donald R. Wright Auditorium on Sunday, July 14, 2019 for the Baseball Reliquary’s 21st annual Shrine of the Eternals Induction Day. We are pleased to share a few photos from the festivities.
The ceremony began with a Shrine of the Eternals tradition: a bell ringing in memory of Brooklyn Dodgers fan Hilda Chester.
The Larry Muradian Trio, featuring Susan Winsberg on flute, Harry Smallenburg on vibes, and Larry Muradian on bass, played walk-in music as the audience filled the auditorium. When the ceremony began, the trio performed the National Anthem and a lovely rendition of “Take Me Out to the Ball Game,” arranged by Larry Muradian.
Following an announcement by Baseball Reliquary executive director Terry Cannon that the 21st annual Shrine of the Eternals Induction Day was dedicated to the memory of Jim Bouton, who died on July 10 at the age of 80, Bouton’s 2001 induction plaque was brought to the stage. Then Ralph Carhart was presented with the prestigious 2019 Hilda Award.
Bob Busser was presented with the 2019 Tony Salin Memorial Award, then Chris Epting delivered the Keynote Address.
Following the unveiling of Billy Beane’s induction plaque, Zak Basch, the Director of Minor League Operations for the Oakland Athletics, accepted the induction on Beane’s behalf.
Following the unveiling of her induction plaque, Lisa Fernandez offered her acceptance remarks.
The afternoon’s third, and final, inductee was J.R. Richard.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, the audience had the opportunity to mingle with the honorees and inductees, and to enjoy the good fellowship that is an integral part of the Shrine of the Eternals Induction Day. At left, Reliquarian Jim Amromin looks pretty pleased to have J.R. Richard’s signature on a baseball. At right, Chris Epting holds a copy of his book, Roadside Baseball.
At left, J.R. Richard and his wife Lula (to the left of J.R.) visited with family members. At right, Mike Margerum attended the ceremony from Elizabethville, Pennyslvania. He was joined by his buddy and fellow baseball fan Jesse Painter (right), who is a professional fire fighter for the City of Philadelphia.
At left is Ralph Carhart, J.R. Richard, Bob Busser, and Lisa Fernandez. At right is Ralph Carhart and J.R. Richard; believe it or not, J.R. is holding Carhart’s Hall Ball in his massive right hand.
These two photos feature Tony Salin’s brother, Doug Salin, who has driven from San Francisco to Pasadena every year since the Tony Salin Memorial Award was established by the Baseball Reliquary in 2002 to recognize individuals for their commitment to the preservation of baseball history. At left, Doug poses with San Francisco poet and author César Love, who is holding a copy of his latest book, Baseball: An Astrological Sightline. At right, Doug is with legendary Los Angeles folk singer Ross Altman, the first musician to receive the Tony Salin Memorial Award in 2018.
Ralph Carhart and his Hall Ball with Baseball Reliquary executive director Terry Cannon (left) and longtime Reliquarian Julian Pollack (right).
At left, two legendary pitchers, Lisa Fernandez and J.R. Richard, compare hand sizes. At right, J.R. proudly poses with his induction plaque.
