MLBBy Matt Clapp on

The Chicago Cubs revealed their 2022 Hall of Fame class on Wednesday night. Longtime play-by-play radio announcer Pat Hughes, Hall of Famer Buck O’Neil, and former Cubs outfielder José Cardenal will be inducted into the Cubs Hall of Fame on Sept. 10 at Wrigley Field.

While Hughes learned the news while working the radio during the Cubs‘ game against the St. Louis Cardinals on Wednesday night (and Nolan Arenado was ejected during that inning), Cardenal was informed during a Zoom call with a rock ‘n’ roll star.

Pearl Jam frontman Eddie Vedder is a huge Cubs fan, and he’s made it clear over the years who his all-time favorite Cubs player is: Cardenal. It’s led to Vedder and Cardenal developing a friendship, and they’ve even performed the 7th Inning Stretch together at Wrigley Field.

Well, Vedder had the honor of delivering the Cubs Hall of Fame news to Cardenal, in a moment that was likely as much of a thrill for Vedder as it was for Cardenal.

Cardenal was a fan favorite — as Vedder’s fandom would suggest, of course — with the Cubs in the 1970s. The Cuban outfielder put together a .296/..363/.424 slash line and stole 129 bases over six seasons (1972-77) with Chicago.

[Photo Credit: Chicago Cubs on Twitter]

About Matt Clapp

Matt is an editor at The Comeback. He attended Colorado State University, wishes he was Saved by the Bell's Zack Morris, and idolizes Larry David. And loves pizza and dogs because obviously.

He can be followed on Twitter at @Matt2Clapp (also @TheBlogfines for Cubs/MLB tweets and @DaBearNecess for Bears/NFL tweets), and can be reached by email at mclapp@thecomeback.com.

View all posts by Matt Clapp