They rehearse and revise, determined to script their day in the sun until it is polished like a showroom sedan. Al Gore's stump speech pales in comparison to Reggie Jackson's 1993 induction day remarks. George W. Bush has yet to reach the rhetorical passion George H. Brett achieved on the Cooperstown podium last year. Tom Lasorda was his usual spellbinding self at his 1997 enshrinement, but brief and reverent instead of windy and raw. It was memorable, but unadvisable.
Most people are better off prepared.
Perez has been testing himself on tape during his dry runs for today's inductions. Though he has been anxious about his persistently thick accent, he says he will speak without dread and in two languages, intent on letting his Spanish listeners feel the fullness in his heart. I'm not worried about that speech tomorrow. I feel great to be here. I'm going to have fun and enjoy the moment.