(7 of 7)
Invariably, an inductee to the Hall of Fame calls it the greatest moment of his life. Since 1965, Jack Lang of the New York Daily News has had the happy duty of informing the chosen. "They all want to break down and cry when they hear the news," he says. "It's like somebody just put them in heaven."
Heaven better start work on a new wing. —By Tom Callahan.
Reported by Melissa Ludtke/ New York
*All figures calculated as of Aug. 9.