Hall of Fame weekend is underway in Cooperstown and the big event will be the official induction of Ichiro Suzuki, CC Sabathia, Billy Wagner, Dave Parker and Dick Allen in a ceremony on Sunday.  A funny thing in reflecting on this class is there's excellent diversity.

With 52 returning Hall of Famers on hand, Suzuki paid homage to his new baseball home in Cooperstown and his adoring fans by delivering his 18-minute speech in English. His humor, a surprise to many, delighted the crowd. He threw shade at the Miami Marlins, the last stop of his professional career.

Fellow Hall of Famers Tony La Russa, Jim Thome and Mauer will join Smith for the $1,000 event. Participants receive a morning reception in the Hall's plaque gallery, a photo with the Hall of Famers, and a commemorative gift to be autographed, along with on-the-field instruction from the Hall of Famers.