Fred McGriff Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports

Newest inductee kept family in the dark over Baseball Hall nod

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated 7/24/23

Fred McGriff took his rightful place in the Baseball Hall of Fame Sunday and, during his induction speech, shared a charming story about keeping his unanimous election a secret from his family.

After receiving what he called the "best" phone call of his life, McGriff put on his poker face waiting for his wife and daughter to hear the momentous announcement on television, like everyone else.

"It was the best phone call of my life." - Fred McGriff@baseballhall | #HOF2023 pic.twitter.com/H1kjKPMVIi
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) July 23, 2023

"I played calm. Like I knew nothing. I just told them, 'Hey, they're going to announce who got into the Baseball Hall of Fame at eight o'clock on MLB Network, so let's turn it on,'" McGriff said.

McGriff's family reacted with "pure joy and happiness" when they heard his name called, that is, until the realization that the wool had been pulled over their eyes.

"Then, they both looked at me and said, 'You knew,'" McGriff said.

Hall of Fame eligible since 2010, McGriff was the only player out of eight up for election by the Contemporary Baseball Era Players Committee, which included Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Don Mattingly, Curt Schilling, Dale Murphy and Albert Belle.

McGriff has come a long way since being cut from his high school baseball team as a sophomore. A 19-year MLB veteran, McGriff was a five-time All-Star, three-time Silver Slugger Award winner and one-time World Series champion.

Over nearly two decades in the game, playing for the Toronto Blue Jays, San Diego Padres, Atlanta Braves, Tampa Bay Devil Rays, Chicago Cubs and Los Angeles Dodgers, McGriff tallied 493 home runs and 1,550 RBI over 2,460 career games.

More must-reads: