The Associated Press

COOPERSTOWN, N.Y. - They couldn't have appeared more different: Eddie Murray, the silent slugger, and Gary Carter, the nonstop-talking and smiling "Kid."

Yet their lives have been almost mirror images: Both were born in the Los Angeles area; both were drafted in the third round; both played for the New York Mets and Los Angeles Dodgers; and both played for one World Series champion.

And today, both will enter the Baseball Hall of Fame.

"This is the main place to be," said Murray, the 38th player elected in his first year of eligibility. "I can't wait."

"It completes my life, my career," said Carter, whose election in January came on his sixth try.

Joining them on the podium in Cooperstown will be Dayton Daily News sports writer Hal McCoy, who won the J.G. Taylor Spink Award, and the Milwaukee Brewers' Bob Uecker, who won the Ford C. Frick Award for excellence in broadcasting.

Murray made a big impression with his bat. In 1977, his rookie season, he hit .283 with 27 homers and 88 RBI - the sort of numbers "Steady Eddie" would produce with amazing regularity throughout his career. He was named AL Rookie of the Year.

"When I came up, everyone was trying to say I was a home run hitter," he said. "I didn't want to be labeled that. I wanted to be a hitter."

The switch-hitting Murray quickly became one of the most feared clutch hitters of his generation. He hit 504 homers, including 19 grand slams, second in major-league history to Lou Gehrig's 23. He had drove in at least 75 runs a major league-record 20 straight seasons.

Murray played in three World Series in his 21 seasons, winning the title in 1983 as the first baseman and cleanup hitter for the Orioles.

The Orioles dealt him to Los Angeles in December 1988, and for the next few years he quietly put up decent numbers with the Dodgers, Mets and Cleveland Indians. He rejoined the Orioles in 1996.

When he retired in 1997, Murray had played more games at first base than anyone else in history, and only Mickey Mantle had hit more home runs as a switch-hitter (536).

While Murray was mauling American League pitchers, Carter was doing the same in the National League and developing into one its finest catchers.

Carter, nicknamed "Kid" for his youthful exuberance, worked his way up the Expos' minor-league ladder, playing catcher, outfield, first and third base, and made the big club for good in 1975.

As a rookie, Carter was named to his first All-Star team and finished the season with a .270 batting average, 17 home runs, and 68 RBI.

He became the Expos' full-time catcher in 1977 and developed into one of the game's best defensive backstops. In that first full season behind the plate, Carter led NL catchers in putouts, assists, total chances, and double plays.

"All I ever wanted to do was play," said Carter, who had nine knee operations during his 19-year career. "If I am remembered, I hope it's most for giving it all I had and playing hard every day."

In 1981, Carter made his first All-Star start behind the plate and hit two home runs to win game MVP honors. He led the Expos to their first and only playoff berth.

Despite winning his second All-Star MVP award, attaining career highs in hits (175) and batting average (.294), and leading the league with 106 RBI in 1984, Carter was traded to the New York Mets after the season. In 1985, Carter hit a career-high 32 home runs, drove in 100 runs, and batted .281 while handling a talented Mets pitching staff that included Dwight Gooden, Ron Darling and Sid Fernandez.

The next year, Carter drove in 105 runs and led the Mets to their stunning World Series victory over the Boston Red Sox, driving in 11 runs in the postseason. Although Carter hit 324 career homers, his two-out single in the bottom of the 10th of Game 6, which began a game-winning three-run rally, may have been the most important hit of his career.

After single-season stints in San Francisco and Los Angeles, Carter returned to the Expos for one final campaign before retiring. He still holds the major league career record for most putouts at catcher (11,785) and most chances accepted at catcher (12,988).

Hall of Famers

Induction ceremony: 1:30 p.m. today at Cooperstown, N.Y.

TV: ESPN Classic.

Inductees: Gary Carter and Eddie Murray.

Also honored: Milwaukee Brewers broadcaster Bob Uecker, presented with the 2003 Ford C. Frick award for broadcast excellence; Dayton Daily News' Hal McCoy, recipient of the 2002 J.G. Taylor Spink award for meritorious contributions to baseball writing.