COOPERSTOWN, N.Y. — Reds fans should savor the taste of this Hall of Fame weekend, because they aren't likely to get one like it for at least another decade.

        The next most likely Red to join the Hall is Barry Larkin, who probably won't be eligible until around 2009.

        Despite his status as the preeminent shortstop of his time, Davey Concepcion only consistently wins about 20-to-30 percent of the vote each year (75 percent is needed for election).

        Same goes for Dave Parker. If either is to get in, he'd likely be a veteran's commitee inductee. A player isn't eligible for the veteran's committee until he has been on the writer's ballot for 15 years. Concepcion has been on for six.

        Larkin may not be a sure Hall of Famer, but he's building a good case. His 11 All-Star selections so far bolster his cause, as do his 1995 MVP award, his .300 career batting average and his ability to hit for power (33 homers in 1996) and steal bases (51 in '95). He has been the premier shortstop in the National League most of his career.

        What will hurt Larkin is comparisons to the young generation of shortstops in the American League (Alex Rodriguez, Nomar Gariaparra and Derek Jeter), whose power numbers will probably dwarf his.

        If Larkin plays out the three years of his new contract extension and then retires, he'd leave after the 2003 season and be eligible in 2009. He may not be a first-ballot electee; it took Tony Perez nine years.

        Ken Griffey Jr.? If he plays out his nine-year contract and retires in 2010, he'd be eligible in 2016.

        CONCEPCION PROMOTED: Doing some politicking in their speeches were Sparky Anderson (for Concepcion for the Hall of Fame) and Tony Perez (for fellow Cuban natives Luis Tiant, Tony Oliva, Minnie Minoso and Concepcion, a Venezuelan.)

        “I was honored to have my named mentioned so many times,” said Concepcion. “Seeing Tony up there, I tell you, I had tears in my eyes.”

        McPHEE GETS HIS DUE: There was no induction speech for Bid McPhee, mainly, because he wasn't around to give it. The former Reds second baseman died at age 83 in 1943.

        Used to be, the Hall let descendants give acceptance speeches, but now limits that to only wives or children. McPhee didn't have any children. He played for the Reds from 1882-1899, and was the greatest second baseman of the 19th century.

        Still, McPhee got his due in Cooperstown this weekend. His display in the Class of 2000 display case has a prominent place.

        It contains a letter he wrote to his great-nephew, Joe Lamping, who grew up in Cincinnati and talks about the days of playing without a glove and encouraging Lamping to stick with the position he likes best. There is also beautiful silver lifetime pass that Major League Baseball gave him. It's on loan from great-niece Jean Ratcliff, of North College Hill.

        RED HALL: The Reds now have 41 players, managers, executives or broadcasters honored in Cooperstown.

        BIG RED CONTINGENT:The Reds were obviously well-represented on stage, with inductees Perez, Anderson and Brennaman and Hall of Famers Johnny Bench, Frank Robinson, Joe Morgan and Tom Seaver. They also were well-represented in the crowd.

        Reds partners Bill Reik, George Strike and Marge Schott were there, along with chief operating officer John Allen. Player development executive Chief Bender, marketing executive Pat McCaffrey and media relations director Rob Butcher, former general managers Bob Howsam, Dick Wagner and Bill Bergesch, and former players Concepcion and Tom Browning also attended.

        Reds broadcaster Joe Nuxhall watched his partner Brennaman go in. Reds TV broadcaster George Grande was the master of ceremonies, as usual.

        GOOD RETURNS:This year's ceremony attracted 47 of the 60 living Hall of Famers, the most in history.

        IN GOD WE TRUST:Grande contributed to an awkward moment at the beginning of the ceremony when he nearly forgot to introduce New York Governor George Pataki. Grande introduced the priest for the invocation and left Pataki waiting behind the stage for a brief moment before recovering.

        PEREZ BACKER:This year's writer inductee, Hal Lebovitz of the Cleveland News and Plain Dealer, was among those who voted for Perez all nine years he was on the ballot. “And I'm glad I did,” Lebovitz said.

Hall of Fame induction colored Red Perez feels like a king Sparky: Happy, humble, grateful Brennaman creates stir with Rose remark Rose in Cooperstown but not at Hall SULLIVAN: Hall is worth the wait Reds may have long wait now RETURN TO HALL OF FAME PAGE

• Return to Reds front page...