The Reds Hall of Fameheads into a busy weekend celebrating its 2014 class. Ken Griffey Junior, Dave Parker, Ron Oester and the late John Beckley will be inducted into the hall Saturday evening during on-field ceremonies before the Reds play the Marlins.
Reds Hall of Fame Executive Director Rick Walls compares the annual induction celebration to the Super Bowl or the World Series for the museum:
"I think that for the Reds Hall of Fame, and even for the Reds, we look upon this event as the marquee gathering of past and present to celebrate that rich history and tradition that we all know about Reds baseball."
Fans can attend meet and greets with the new inductees and returning Reds Hall of Famers and alumni Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The weekend culminates with an induction gala Sunday evening at the Northern Kentucky Convention Center that's expected to draw about 1,500 people. The gala is already sold out.
Here's the weekend's schedule from the Reds:
Friday, Aug. 8 – Cincinnati Reds vs. Miami Marlins, 7:10 p.m.
• 5 to 7 p.m.: Meet and Greet with Reds Hall of Famers and alumni (photos only, no autographs please)
- 2014 Inductees Ken Griffey Jr., Dave Parker and Ron Oester plus Johnny Bench, Jack Billingham, Tom Browning, Leo Cardenas, Clay Carroll, Eric Davis, George Foster, Cesar Geronimo, Wayne Granger, Ken Griffey Sr., Tommy Helms, Jim Maloney, Lee May, Joe Morgan, Gary Nolan, Jim O’Toole, Tony Perez, Chris Sabo and Mario Soto.
• Over 20 Reds legends, including members of the 2014 Induction Class, will be introduced on the field during post-game ceremonies.
• Fireworks show with soundtrack of Hall of Fame hits, presented by Cooper Tire.
Saturday, Aug. 9 - Cincinnati Reds vs. Miami Marlins, 7:10 p.m.
• 2:30 to 4:30 p.m.: Meet and Greet with Reds Hall of Famers and alumni (photos only, no autographs please)
- 2014 Inductees Ken Griffey Jr., Dave Parker and Ron Oester plus Johnny Bench, Jack Billingham, Tom Browning, Leo Cardenas, Clay Carroll, Sean Casey, David Concepcion, Eric Davis, George Foster, Cesar Geronimo, Wayne Granger, Ken Griffey, Sr., Tommy Helms, Jim Maloney, Lee May, Joe Morgan, Gary Nolan, Jim O’Toole, Tony Perez, Chris Sabo, and Mario Soto.
• Free commemorative print honoring the 2014 Induction Class to all fans in attendance, presented by P&G and Kroger.
• 5:30 to 6 p.m.: Induction Press Conference (GABP Field Level Media Interview Room)
• 6:30 p.m.: Ken Griffey, Jr., Dave Parker, Ron Oester and the late Jake Beckley will be officially inducted into the Reds Hall of Fame during on-field ceremonies. Marty Brennaman will be the master of ceremonies and Griffey Jr., Parker and Oester will address the crowd and throw out ceremonial first pitches.
Sunday, Aug. 10 - Cincinnati Reds vs. Miami Marlins, 1:10 p.m.
• Noon to 1 p.m.: Meet and greet with Reds alumni
- Tom Hume, Dmitri Young and others to be announced
• 5:30 to 10 p.m.: Hall of Fame Induction Gala presented by Clark Schaefer Hackett at the Northern Kentucky Convention Center with remarks by inductees Ken Griffey Jr., Dave Parker and Ron Oester and appearances by Reds Hall of Famers along with players and coaches from the 2014 Reds team.