The former Red Sox pitcher will be officially inducted in July.

COOPERSTOWN, N.Y. (AP) – When Dennis Eckersley walked into the Plaque Gallery at the Baseball Hall of Fame for the first time, he was as overwhelmed as any of his predecessors.

“Being with the plaques is where I felt it. That’s when it hit home,” Eckersley said Monday as he toured the Hall of Fame in preparation for his July induction. “You get the feeling that it’s not really true. That’s what puts it in perspective, how awesome it feels.”

Eckersley and former Milwaukee Brewers star Paul Molitor were elected in January in their first year of eligibility, bringing to 40 the number of players elected on the first ballot.

Eckersley saved an American League-record 324 games in stints with the Cleveland Indians, Boston Red Sox and Oakland Athletics.

He also pitched for the St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago Cubs of the National League before retiring in 1998 with a record of 197-171 and 390 saves in 1,071 games.

With his shaggy black hair and distinct mustache, Eckersley relied on pinpoint control and was the most effective reliever in baseball from 1988-92, helping the Athletics win four division titles and one World Series. He also won the AL MVP and Cy Young Awards in 1992 with one of the greatest seasons by a reliever, going 7-1 with 51 saves and a 1.91 earned-run average.

Impressive statistics, to be sure. But Eckersley never was as confident as he appeared on the mound with his intimidating stare and remains amazed at his good fortune.

“It doesn’t really sink in,” said Eckersley, who will be 50 in October. “I thought I was good, but I never thought that I was going to be a Hall of Famer.”

Eckersley reached the big leagues in 1975 with Cleveland and pitched a no-hitter against the Angels in 1977.

It wasn’t until 10 years later – after stints with the Red Sox and Cubs – that he became a closer and his baseball life changed forever.

After completing a month of alcohol treatment in January 1987, Eckersley went to spring training with the Cubs, and they traded him to the Athletics during the first week of the season.

It was there that manager Tony LaRussa and pitching coach Dave Duncan relegated him to the bullpen, expecting him to pitch only the ninth inning if the Athletics were ahead.

“I was looking for a niche,” said Eckersley, who posed for a photo in front of the plaque of his idol growing up, former San Francisco Giants right-hander Juan Marichal. “I just kind of fell into it.”

In a big way. In that four-year stretch with Oakland, Eckersley saved 220 games, struck out 378 and walked only 38 batters. He also is the only pitcher with 100 saves and 100 complete games.

Although induction is only 75 days away, Eckersley said he hasn’t even begun to write his speech.

“Every time that I think about it, I get nervous,” he said. “It’s going to be difficult. I like being emotional about something, but there’s no way I can get through this. Everybody says enjoy the moment. How can you enjoy the moment?”

Then he paused, and it almost seemed like he was back on the mound again.

“Maybe it’s time to put closure on that part of my life,” he said. “What a way to close.”

AP-ES-05-10-04 1543EDT