Rob Parker: Tom Gage hits homer at Hall of Fame

COOPERSTOWN, N.Y – Not only did Tom Gage never imagine that he would be standing here accepting the biggest award a baseball writer can receive, he also couldn't have imagined what happened on Saturday afternoon.

In front of family and friends, Gage, the former The Detroit News writer, was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.

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As if that wasn't enough, Gage -- who covered the Detroit Tigers from 1979-2014 -- delivered a wonderful, heartfelt speech that was the buzz of the festivities.

Indeed, Gage hit a home run. In the words of the late, great Ernie Harwell, "It was looong gone."

In his 10-minute speech of a lifetime, Gage, 67, told his life's story and work as only he could -- with humor and grace.

For those who know Gage, it was perfect, a fitting cap to a stellar journalism career. For me, it felt like the many times we talked in the Comerica Park press box. It was classic Tom.

For those thousands in the crowd at Doubleday Field, from all over Baseball America, and those watching on TV at home, they knew Gage clearly after he was done.

"Give me one moment in time where I'm more than I thought I could be. This is that moment for me," said Gage, who used a line from a Whitney Houston song to cease the situation.

Gage paid homage to his wife, Lisa, and son, J.T., for allowing him to live his dream of covering baseball all over the country. The entire way, he had their blessings.

"Baseball is not an easy beat," he said. You miss weddings, you miss funerals, you miss birthdays. I say my son is 29 going on 18 because of all the birthdays I've missed.

My career has been work and it's been fun, but it wouldn't have been that splendid balance it was if I didn't have a true saint at home, understanding my job and more amazingly me."

Gage also talking about his love for the game. You have to love this game in order to cover it.

It's a long, grueling assignment. Many have flamed out trying to cover the national pastime.

In the end, Gage said he was a fan who simply wrote about it for a living.

"If you've loved baseball all your life, I am you," he said. "If your first memory of watching TV is baseball, I am you. If you couldn't wait for the first day each spring the new baseball cards came out, one again, I am you."

Back in December, Gage was informed that he was voted in the Hall by his peers. It's a tremendous honor in sports-writing.

He was one of three finalists for the J.G. Taylor Spink Award. Gage beat out the late Furman Bisher of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and the Boston Globe's Dan Shaughnessy in one of the closest races in the past decade.

Gage got 167 votes. Bisher had 161 and Shaughnessy finished third with 134 votes.

Gage was added to the writer's wing in a ceremony at arguably sports' best hall of Fame.

"I'm floored by the honor," Gage said after learning the news back in December. "I've been at this a long time and I'm really humbled."

Former Detroit News columnist Joe Falls was inducted into the HOF in 2002.

Gage is a great addition. I worked with Gage closely for nine years at The News. In fact, I was the person that nominated him. He was a worthy candidate.

It was a pure honor to be there for his deserving moment. Other sports writers from around the country celebrated with Gage. So many have so much admiration and respect for the quiet professional who simply got the job done.

The other part of Gage's speech that really hit home was his honesty about what happened at The News. Gage was removed from the beat earlier this year by editors. He then left the paper.

"It broke my heart," said Gage, who gave his all to do the best job for The News.

Baseball fans in Detroit knew that and were blessed to read Gage's coverage of the Tigers for more than 36 years.

And after that acceptance speech, thousands of others around the country now know him as well.