Oquendo inducted into Hispanic Heritage Hall

OAKLAND -- An intimate induction ceremony was staged in the visitors' dugout at the O.co Coliseum on Friday afternoon to recognize Jose Oquendo's enshrinement into the Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum Hall of Fame.

Oquendo, one of five members of the 2013 Hall class, was presented with a plaque that detailed his accomplishments during his 12-year playing career and subsequent coaching tenure with the Cardinals. Oquendo, 49, becomes the 57th member of the Hall and the 10th from Puerto Rico.

"It's a great honor and great company to be in," Oquendo said.

The Hall was founded in 1999 by Gabriel "Tito" Avila Jr., who was on hand Friday to make the presentation. The Museum is located in San Francisco and includes Roberto Clemente, Orlando Cepeda, Juan Marichal and Tony La Russa as past inductees.

"Today is a very important day because we're honoring a great man, a man who has given a lot to the game, not only as a player, but also as a coach and involved in the community in St. Louis," Avila said. "The Hall of Fame committee selected Jose unanimously as a person to be honored with a lot of respect and recognition.