National Baseball Hall of Fame – The Sports Fan Project

Cooperstown aka My Happy Place

October 27, 2025October 27, 2025DouglasTHill2 Comments

Dad and Doug at Baseball HoF — **^{Dad and I out front of the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY.}**

I made mention to a friend recently that if I lived about three hours closer, I’d probably visit the National Baseball Hall of Fame monthly.

A bit hyperbolic?

Perhaps, but I can assure you if it wasn’t an 8-hour drive from where I reside, I’d be there at least quarterly. And if I lived within a couple hours I’d seriously consider volunteering.

And it’s not just the Hall of Fame – my own personal version of Shangri-La – it’s the entire village of Cooperstown, NY, that I adore.

It’s the single stoplight town, the flag pole in the center Main Street that passes for a roundabout, the (mainly) baseball-themed shops up and down that same Main Street, the quirky – and delicious! – diners and restaurants throughout, the scenery around Otsego Lake.

It’s all of it!

When plotting my Around the World in 80 Sporting Events project there was never a doubt a visit to the Baseball Hall would make the list. Never mind that I’d already been there four times previously.

And that’s my message to anyone reading this today: Go!

If you’ve never been … go!

If you have been before … go, again!

The exhibits are constantly being refreshed, the movie in the Grandstand Theater changes fairly regularly, and each July new inductees are enshrined.

There, I’ll step off my soapbox and share a bit of my recent visit as Event No. 26 of this long and winding road of sports fandom I’ve chosen to undertake. And, because I could write a fairly lengthy post about this place, I’ve decided to post a few of the many images I captured that sparked something in me and reflect on those. Don’t worry, I’ll post the rest of my photos and a couple videos soon on the full page of Event No. 26.

HoFer Stemware

**^{Ryne Sandberg’s stemware at The Otesaga. It features a white rose because Sandberg passed away the day after the most-recent Induction Ceremony.}**

During each successive visit to Cooperstown I try to do something new.

This year, because we had a bit of time Friday following our drive from New York City, my dad and I decided to save the Hall of Fame visit for Saturday and do the other things we hoped to accomplish that afternoon.

Among our stops were many of the shops along Main Street, a visit to the Leatherstocking Golf Course, and an early dinner in The Otesaga Resort Hotel‘s Hawkeye Bar & Grill. It was our first time inside the venerable old inn that houses all the living Hall of Famers each July during Induction Weekend.

Both my father and I enjoyed the showcase (two, actually) featuring personalized stemware with the name of each living Hall of Famer and their number inscribed on the glass. There were three glasses with a white rose in the bowl. Each member of the Hall who died between Induction Ceremonies is honored with a white rose in their glass before it’s retired and, presumably, given to the family. There were roses in the glasses of Rickey Henderson, Dave Parker, and Ryne Sandberg. In Sandberg’s case, he died the day following the 2025 Induction Ceremony.

As we enjoyed our sandwiches and some Ryder Cup action in the Hawkeye, it wasn’t too difficult for dad and I to wonder what stories those walls would share if only they could talk.

“The Captain’s” High School Hat

Derek Jeter's HS Hat — **^{The ballcap of Derek Jeter from Kalamazoo Central High School in western Michigan.}**

I walked by this artifact thinking it was some Kansas City hat from long ago before doing a u-turn to more closely examine something else in the showcase. That’s when I discovered this hat was actually that of lifetime New York Yankees’ shortstop Derek Jeter‘s from his high school, Kalamazoo (MI) Central.

This is the sort of quirky stuff that I notice during visits that keeps me coming back. If it had been displayed previously I missed it and if it hadn’t, it made me wonder what prompted the curators to put it out now.

^{A recording of Bob Sheppard introduces Derek Jeter at the 2010 MLB All-Star Game in Anaheim.}

And then I thought of the legendary Yankee Stadium public address announcer Bob Sheppard introducing Jeter and how, for the final five years of his playing career following Sheppard’s death in 2010, he still used his recorded introduction during home games.

Duty Calls

Curt Flood Letter — **^{St. Louis Cardinals’ player Curt Flood’s letter to then-Commissioner Bowie Kuhn challenging what was known as the “reserve clause.”}**

The final 14 years of my professional life in K-12 education were spent as my local union’s elected president. When I saw Curt Flood‘s letter to then-Commissioner Bowie Kuhn challenging his ability to be free to play where he wanted following the expiration of his contract it sort of stopped me in my tracks.

I don’t claim to be familiar with all the intricacies of the Flood case, but I do know what it means to take a principled stand for what you believe is right. These 128 words likely cost Flood the remainder of his Major League Baseball career (he sat our the entire 1970 season during the litigation and only played 13 more games in Washington the following the season).

The sad reality is that he lost his case before the U.S. Supreme Court (5-3), but the Court noted that MLB’s “antitrust exemption was tenuous” and, in so doing, helped set in motion widespread free agency in MLB during the next decade.

When I first visited the Hall as a teenager I would have carelessly walked by this letter. Now, however, to be this close to a piece of labor rights history was awe-inspiring.

Perfect No More

First Base from Armando Galarraga's Perfect Game — **^{The Comerica Park bag from first base of the missed out call by umpire Jim Joyce that cost Tigers’ pitcher Armando Galarraga a perfect game.}**

June 2, 2010 was a Wednesday night and, as a fourth grade teacher, I was working through finishing up grading work and getting things situated for the final couple weeks of the school year. As always during that era the Detroit Tigers’ game was on the television in the background.

As the game moved forward, I noticed the line score after – I believe – the sixth inning and saw Tigers’ journeyman starter, Armando Galarraga, hadn’t allowed a hit. Suddenly, my work rate slowed in direct relation to my game attention rate increasing.

And then, it happened, in the top of the ninth inning, Cleveland’s Luke Donald hit a slow roller wide of first base, Miguel Cabrera nabbed it and tossed it to Galarraga who was covering the bag.

Out! A perfect game! The 21st in MLB history and the second within a week (Phillies’ pitcher Roy Halladay tossed one May 29 against the Marlins).

Wait, umpire Jim Joyce called him safe???

^{The footage of the final non-out of Armando Galarraga’s imperfect perfect game.}

Yes, inexplicably as replays showed over – and over! – Joyce called Donald safe in the days before instant replay challenges existed and Galarraga’s perfecto was kaput. He then retired Trevor Crowe on a groundout to finish the 3-0 victory.

And there, in front of me behind glass at the Hall, was the base from that game. Sure, there are other artifacts from perfect games, but none is as unique as this one from a uniquely imperfect perfect game.

The Voice of My Adolescence

Ernie Harwell Microphone — **^{Radio broadcaster Ernie Harwell was – and is to this day – a Detroit treasure.}**

The Hall is comprised not just of on-field artifacts, there’s a small wing devoted to the journalists who cover it, both print and broadcast.

Longtime Detroit Tigers’ broadcaster Ernie Harwell was the 1981 Ford C. Frick Award recipient for his broadcasting work – and he still had 21 more years to go!

He was, in many ways, the voice of my adolescence as I’d listen to he and longtime partner Paul Carey tell stories and describe the action from whereever the Tigers’ happened to be playing send off to slumber more times than I can recall.

Having the opportunity to caddie in a foursome that included Harwell and Tigers’ manager – and Hall of Famer – Sparky Anderson continues to be a memory I hold dear from the magical summer of 1984 and wrote about here two years ago.

Sho-Time

^{This lenticular-style display shows Shohei Ohtani from all angles and on all teams.}

I’ll leave you with this one from the newest exhibit to open, Yakyu-Baseball.

Yakyu, which is Japanese for baseball, is a big salute to baseball on both sides of the Pacific Ocean and how those two worlds have merged during the past half century.

One of the centerpieces in this area is an oversized lenticular-style card (e.g. motion) of current Los Angeles Dodgers’ superstar, Shohei Ohtani. In the middle is his No. 17 Dodgers’ jersey and Angels’ hat, but as you look at it from the left, center, and right, you see three different images: the first is of him for Team Japan during the 2023 World Baseball Classic, the middle is of him as a Dodger mid-swing, and the final is of him as an Angel pitching.

The display fascinated me for multiple reasons. First, it was a throwback to my days of youth when I’d encourage mom to buy Kellogg’s brand cereals in order to nab one of their lenticular-style cards. Second, it allowed me to marvel for a moment at what Ohtani is accomplishing in real time before my eyes. Finally, because it was a topic of conversation when I visited Tokyo in May and watched a Nippon Professional Baseball game, how much better was Ohtani compared to his leaguemates in Japan when he was playing there?

A Final Look

**^{Don’t forget to head to the east side of the Otsego Lake for the chance to see the setting sun, here from Lakewood Cemetery.}**

Conversations with Sports Fans – Craig Muder from the Baseball Hall of Fame

October 26, 2025October 26, 2025DouglasTHillLeave a comment

**^{The exterior of the National Baseball Hall of Fame.}**

In this special bonus episode in advance of my Around the World in 80 Sporting Events visit to the National Baseball Hall of Fame, I have the pleasure of chatting all about the Baseball Hall and Cooperstown, NY, with the Hall’s Communications Director, Craig Muder.

Craig pulls the curtain back about what it’s like to work in this baseball fantasyland. He says he makes it a point to walk through the Plaque Gallery every day to remind himself where he’s at.

Craig goes on to share the story about how this baseball Shangri-La came to be in the tiny village of Cooperstown in central New York State.

Finally, he also shares some of his favorite places to grab a bite to eat should you ever find yourself in town: Cooley’s Stone House Tavern, the Doubleday Cafe, and Mel’s at 22.

For more information about how to support the Hall please visit: https://baseballhall.org/support-the-hall/become-a-member

The Fan Teaser Solution: Week 147

August 17, 2025August 16, 2025DouglasTHill2 Comments

**^{This Montreal rookie went onto accomplish big things.}**

Randy Johnson was a big deal. A very big deal.

Physically, the lefthanded Johnson who stood 6-foot-10 was the tallest pitcher in the Major Leagues for the lion’s share of his 22 seasons.

Performatively, there were few who could measure up to the numbers he amassed during his career. He won five Cy Young Awards (1995, 1999, 2000, 2001, and 2002 … yes, that’s four straight!), led his league in strikeouts nine times, and finished his career with the most strikeouts (4,875) of anyone not named Nolan Ryan.

He clearly lived up to his nickname, “The Big Unit.”

He was twice a top five round MLB draftee. First, by the Atlanta Braves in the fourth round of the 1982 Draft out of Livermore (CA) High School (Can you imagine a late-1980s rotation featuring Johnson, Tom Glavine, and John Smoltz? Would Greg Maddux have even thought about coming to town?) . Then, following three seasons pitching at the University of Southern California, in 1985’s second round by the Montreal Expos.

Randy Johnson and George Bamberger — **^{Twenty-five-year-old rookie Randy Johnson, left, receives some pointers from visiting pitching coach George Bamberger during the Montreal Expos Spring Training in 1989. (Sports Illustrated photo)}**

This week’s Fan Teaser photo shows Johnson, during Spring Training with the Expos before the 1989 season in West Palm Beach, FL, with pitching guru George Bamberger who was visiting camp for 10 days as a favor to Manager Buck Rodgers, who succeeded Bamberger as manager in Milwaukee. Following a 0-4 record and 6.67 ERA over six starts that season, Johnson was traded by the Expos on May 29, 1989 (along with Gene Harris and Brian Holman) to the Seattle Mariners for Mark Langston and Mike Campbell.

His biggest accomplishment might have been the 2001 World Series when Johnson won three games (two as a starter and one out of the bullpen) for the Arizona Diamondbacks in their seven game victory over the New York Yankees. Johnson, who was named co-World Series MVP, finished the Series 3-0, allowed just nine hits, and fanned 19 over 17.1 innings pitched.

He was first-ballot Baseball Hall of Fame selection in 2015. Check out his HoF page here.

Today, Johnson’s an accomplished photographer. You’re able to view some of his work at his webpage here.

^{Randy Johnson’s dominant World Series performance highlights.}

Just to review, The Fan Teaser was the creation of former Ann Arbor News Sports Editor Geoff Larcom. Longtime friend and fellow Ann Arbor News alum, Pat Schutte, took it to heights previously unknown. We aim to keep it alive here at The Sports Fan Project. The cropped photo and the accompanying clue give you an idea as to who or what the image is of. We invite you to use the Comment option to take a crack at solving the Teaser and, if you’re so inclined, participate in some good-spirited banter with your fellow sports fans. The Fan Teaser will appear each Friday morning with the reveal coming to you Sunday.

The Fan Teaser: Week 144 Solution

July 27, 2025July 24, 2025DouglasTHillLeave a comment

^{One of the original Fab Fives for this week’s #FanTeaser. Who comprises this quintet and what’s significant about them?}

Nearly 90 years ago, the Baseball Writers Association of America conducted its first vote to select an innaugural class for the nascent National Baseball Hall of Fame. The structure in Cooperstown, NY, was still three years away from being open for business, but on February 2, 1936, the first Hall of Fame Class was announced. It included five players who really – even then – needed no introduction:

Ty Cobb – Upon his retirement, Cobb had amassed a then-record 4,191 hits and a career batting average of .366. See his HoF bio here and his career stats here.
Walter Johnson – The hard-throwing righthanded pitcher still owns the career record with 110 shutouts among his 417 career wins. See his HoF bio here and his career stats here.
Christy Mathewson – The rightie won 20 or more games in 13 of his 17 big league seasons. He won 33 during the 1904 season and finished third! (Jack Chesbro collected 41 and Joe McGinnity 35) See his HoF bio here and his career stats here.
Babe Ruth – One of the original dual threat players, not only did Ruth club a then-record 714 career home runs, but he also won 94 games as a pitcher, and still holds the career Slugging Percentage record with a .690 mark. See his HoF bio here and his career stats here.
Honus Wagner – A native Pennsylvanian, Wagner spent the majority of his career with his homestate Pirates. Known these days more for his ultra-rare T206 baseball card than his statistics, it’s worth noting that Wagner played every position but catcher during his 21 seasons and finished with 643 career doubles, still 10th best in the game’s history. See his HoF bio here and his career stats here.

^{The plaques from the original National Baseball Hall of Fame class.}

It would not be until June 12, 1939, that the first induction ceremony in the quaint upstate New York village.

This Sunday the Class of 2025 will receive their bronze plaques in Cooperstown. The class is comprised of Dick Allen, Dave Parker, CC Sabathia, Ichiro Suzuki, and Billy Wagner (no relation to Honus;-).

The Fan Teaser: Week 127 Solution

March 30, 2025March 27, 2025DouglasTHillLeave a comment

**^{The fella on the mound is in a club of one! Who is it and why is it?}**

In the 149-year history of Major League Baseball there’s only been *one Opening Day no-hitter. It was thrown by Cleveland Indians’ 21-year-old future Baseball Hall of Famer, Bob Feller.

A special Fan Teaser within a Fan Teaser, there has actually been one other Opening Day no-hitter, thrown by the man in the following photo. It occurred on May 5, 1946, as the Newark Eagles defeated the Philadelphia Stars in the Negro National League opener, 2-0. We’ll get to him in a moment.

It was not Feller’s best-ever performance, as he walked five batters and was, by his own admission, wild early. He did fan eight White Sox and has the claim to fame of owning the first Opening Day no-hitter in MLB history during Cleveland’s, 1-0, victory. (Full boxscore here.)

**^{Cleveland Indians’ pitcher Bob Feller captured during his April 16, 1940, Opening Day}**
**^{no-hitter against the Chicago White Sox. (Photo by Mark Rucker/Transcendental}**
**^{Graphics, Getty Images)}**

Six years later another Baseball Hall of Famer, Leon Day, joined Feller in keeping the opposition hitless. Of course it would be another 78 years until MLB began crediting Negro Leagues statistics in the official record. Making Day’s feat even more remarkable is the fact that he was just discharged from the Army in February of 1946 and rounded into form by Opening Day.

Since Day’s no-no, there’s only been one other pitcher hold the opposition hitless into the ninth inning on the season opener: Philadelphia Phillies’ Hall of Famer Robin Roberts against the New York Giants on April 13, 1955. Alvin Dark laced a 1-out single in the ninth to break it up.

The Fan Teaser: Week 118 Solution

January 26, 2025February 21, 2025DouglasTHillLeave a comment

**^{Who is this and why are}**
**^{they smiling today?}**

On Tuesday of this past week, three retired Major League Baseball players were contacted by the National Baseball Hall of Fame that they received the requisite 75% of the votes to be enshrined. Those players were relief pitcher Billy Wagner, starting pitcher CC Sabathia, and outfielder Ichiro Suzuki.

Ichiro, who received a vote from all but – inexplicably – one voting member of the Baseball Writers Association of America, was this week’s Fan Teaser.

Ichiro Suzuki — **^{Ichiro’s at-bat routine was unique.}**

In the photo utilized, Ichiro is captured in the middle of his distinctive at-bat routine where he would hold the bat in his right hand, pointed skyward, in front of him, while adjusting his jersey near his right collarbone with his left hand, and leaning back ever so slightly.

Apparently it worked for him. After arriving in Seattle in 2001 following nine seasons with the Orix Blue Wave of Nippon Professional Baseball, Suzuki lashed hit after hit during 19 MLB seasons. He finished with 3,089 in the Major Leagues, set the single-season record with 262 in 2004, won both the Rookie of the Year (albeit as a 27-year-old) and American League MVP in 2001. All totaled, he was an All-Star each of his first 10 seasons in the United States during which time he also won the Gold Glove Award every season. If his stats from Japan are included, he would have 4,367 career hits (easily eclipsing Pete Rose‘s record of 4,256). As it is, Ichiro currently ranks 25th all-time. He’s one of just seven players with 3,000 career hits and over 500 stolen bases.

^{The Seattle Mariners released this tribute to Ichiro following the announcement of his Hall of Fame election.}

The Fan Teaser: Week 95 Solution

August 18, 2024DouglasTHillLeave a comment

The Dominican Republic has a long history of producing Major League Baseball stars. One of the pre-eminent early Dominican pitchers was Baseball Hall of Famer Juan Marichal. Marichal was, in fact, the first Dominican enshrined in Cooperstown.

A 10-time All-Star, Marichal was recognizable to most fans due to his exaggerated high leg kick. That said, it clearly worked for him as he amassed 243 career victories and a lifetime earned run average of 2.89 over 3,503 innings pitched.

^{A look at Juan Marichal’s unique wind-up delivery.}

Just to review, The Fan Teaser comes courtesy of longtime buddy, Pat Schutte. The cropped photo below and the accompanying clue give you an idea as to who or what the image is of. We invite you to use the Comment option to take a crack at solving the Teaser and, if you’re so inclined, participate in some good-spirited banter with your fellow sports fans. The Fan Teaser will appear each Friday morning with the reveal coming to you Sunday.

The Hall’s Call

January 22, 2024January 22, 2024DouglasTHillLeave a comment

Baseball HoF Plaques — **^{The view of some of the First Class Plaques in the National Baseball Hall of Fame’s Plaque Room.}**

I live in suburban Detroit which means I should be blogging about the Detroit Lions and the incredible run they’ve been on the past several weeks, right?

Well, I wrote about them each of the last two weeks and while I’m superstitious and all, I’m not sure I have anything of significance to share in advance of their first NFC Championship Game this Century. I’m just rooting for NO repeats of the only other NFC Championshp Game the Lions have played in my lifetime: January 12, 1992 at RFK Stadium in Washington, DC, where they were outscored 24-0 in the second half and lost, 41-10. After a competitive first half, I recall a less-than-enjoyable remainder of my stay at Fraser’s Pub in Ann Arbor.

No, today I thought I’d wax poetic about what occurs tomorrow: The National Baseball Hall of Fame announces the Baseball Writers Association of America results for the 2024 Class.

Former Detroit Tigers’ manager Jim Leyland is already heading to Cooperstown, NY, courtesy of the HoF’s Contemporary Baseball Era Committee’s vote last month.

I’ve always had an interest in which former big leaguers were headed toward enshrinement, but this year my interest is keener, perhaps because of “Conversation with Sports Fans” guests Adam Darowski (S:2, E:25), Dave Metter (S:2, E:34), and Mark Shirk (S:2, E:53) who all have unique perspectives on the Baseball Hall of Fame.

For Darowski (@baseballtwit on Twitter/X) it’s about two sets of players: Those who, statistically, have the merits to be included but for whatever reason are not. And those who spent the brunt of their professional careers in the Negro Leagues and have had the performances there discounted.
For Metter (@cooperstowndave on Twitter/X) it tends to be about a cause candidate. Once upon a time that was Vladimir Guerrero. Currently, it’s Charlie Bennett, a 19th Century catcher who is still the only player to have a Major League Ballpark named after him, Detroit’s Bennett Park. Because of both his play and his innovation at the position, Metter considers him the best catcher of his era.
For Shirk (@bballhist on Twitter/X) it’s about expanding the ranks of Hall of Famers. Shirk is a proponent of what’s referred to as a “big hall.” That is, opening the doors to more players and personnel who Shirk believes are deserving.

And then there was the discovery this Hall of Fame Election Season of Ryan Thibodaux (@NotMrTibbs on Twitter/X) who along with a team of fellow ballotheads, tabulate those BBWAA ballots that have been made public at his Baseball Hall of Fame Tracker which is found here.

With the announcement due tomorrow, discovering Thibodaux’s site is akin to learning what’s in all those wrapped packages before the holidays. While I’m ecstatic to have knowledge of who’s likely to get in – and who’s not – this forewarning does take the edge off my suprise and/or righteous rage over who gets the call tomorrow.

With that, Go Lions and Go Todd Helton!

The Great Ballpark Chase: Hall of Dreams

August 7, 2023July 30, 2024timothynrussell3 Comments

Tucked away in a little corner of upstate New York, there is something special about Cooperstown and the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum.

It’s the small-town charm and the beautiful scenery, but more importantly, you have to want to go there. It’s not just something you stumble upon and say, “let’s go there.” It takes actual planning.

So when the Coast 2 Coast Sports Tours Hall of Fame Baseball Tour rolled into town, it made for a special moment to take a slight breather from seeing games.

Lou Gehrig, Jackie Robinson, Roberto Clemente — **^{Not a bad trio to greet guests upon arrival: Lou Gehrig, Jackie Robinson, and Roberto Clemente.}**

When you walk into the Hall of Fame, the first thing that strikes you is the life-size statues of Lou Gehrig, Jackie Robinson, and Roberto Clemente. You can also catch a glimpse of the plaque gallery, but no need to rush right to the gallery. There are plenty of other great things to see.

Being a ballpark chaser, the third floor was of special interest with the Sacred Ground exhibit. It highlights ballparks of yesteryear and why a trip to the ballpark is such a special occasion. You can see the Ebbets Field cornerstone, as well as piece of the Tiger Stadium wall with the 440-foot measurement, noting the distance from home plate to center field. There are also old ticket booths, turnstiles, and seats.

Comiskey Park Pinwheel, Tiger Stadium measurement — **^{One of Comiskey Park’s scoreboard pinwheels sits in the foreground while the Tiger Stadium centerfield measurement is in the rear.}**

Most of what you see on display at the museum at any one time is a mere fraction of its collection. There is only about 10 percent on display and it grows daily.

From the history of the game to the current teams, there are exhibits featuring Babe Ruth, Hank Aaron, women in baseball, and international players.

Babe Ruth Uniform — **^{A Babe Ruth jersey is displayed.}**

Ruth is featured quite prominently, with his locker, jersey, and details about his life.

If you have ever watched “A League of Their Own,” you’ll see details about women in baseball. The exhibit is called Diamond Dreams.

Aaron is also featured in the exhibit, Chasing the Dream, chronicling his career and his run toward being the greatest home run hitter in the game and the problems that brought to him.

There is also an exhibit about international baseball, called Viva Baseball. It highlights the history of Latin baseball and Latino ballplayers in the Majors. Detroit Tiger Miguel Cabrera‘s jersey is hanging there, just waiting until his plaque can be installed.

Miguel Cabrera Jersey — **^{A Miguel Cabrera jersey sits in the Viva Baseball exhibit.}**

That leads you to baseball records, baseball cards, and World Series rings and accomplishments.

You’ll finish the third floor, walking through a simulated locker room, called Your Team Today. It features a locker stall for each of the 30 teams. There are artifacts from current players of each team. As they try to stay current, this exhibit can see a lot of changes as events happen during the season.

Obviously, being a Detroit Tigers’ fan, I took special care to look for exhibits highlighting the team. In addition to the centerfield signage there are also several other Tiger exhibits sprinkled around the Hall. Those include some artifacts from Hank Greenberg, Charlie Gehringer, Al Kaline, and the 1984 World Series champion Tiger team, which started 35-5.

In the Your Team Today, the Tigers locker was filled with a Justin Verlander jersey and ball from one of his no-hitters. There is also a cap from Spencer Turnbull‘s no-hitter. There are also helmets from Cabrera’s 500^th home run and Victor Martinez‘s 2,000 hit.

One of the more interesting pieces is Daniel Norris‘s bat. The former Tiger pitcher borrowed a teammate’s bat to become the first American League pitcher to homer in Chicago’s Wrigley Field.

After seeing Your Team Today, you can take the elevator down to the first floor toward the gallery. First, you’ll see exhibits dedicated to the current players being inducted that year. This past year, it was infielder Scott Rolen and outfield Fred McGriff. Rolen went in as a St. Louis Cardinal. McGriff chose to have a blank hat, since he had been with several teams.

^{HoF Class of 2023, Fred McGriff and Scott Rolen, signed the spots where their plaques would eventually reside.}

Each year, after the inductees are announced, the player or manager gets a day at the Hall. They are given a private tour of the facility. They also sign the base in the gallery, where it sits until the plaque is installed after the induction ceremony.

After visiting the gallery, make sure to take a short walk up the ramp toward the library and kids’ clubhouse. You’ll find the area dedicated to announcers and writers. Obviously, I had to find the Ernie Harwell honor, which is just above one for Vin Scully. The two were honored just a few years apart in the 1980s.

Just past that you’ll find what looks like a box office window. Step in and you’ll see exhibits from different baseball movies.

Of course, any visit to the Hall of Fame isn’t complete without a short walk to Doubleday Field. It was once thought of as the birthplace of baseball, where Abner Doubleday played the first game of baseball. But recent developments have somewhat dispelled those myths.

^{Doubleday Field sits right off Main Street in Cooperstown, NY.}

But, even so, it’s still a grand place to watch a ballgame. And even if Doubleday didn’t invent the game, it still lets you go back in time to feel the simplicity of the game.

Youth and Little League teams will still play ball at Doubleday. An expansive Little League complex, Cooperstown Dreams Park, was built just outside of town, which draws a lot of camps and tournaments. But it’s still quite an experience to actually play on the Doubleday Field.

While you’re walking to Doubleday, you’ll come across many small shops, selling bats, balls, caps, jerseys, and trading cards, among other things. A real baseball fan could go broke.

During the walk, take a minute and enjoy strolling down a small-town American street.

There are also really good places to eat, as well. There is the Cooperstown Diner, which is basically a lunch counter and a few tables. Sadly, it is only open until 2 p.m. The Hardball Cafe is within a baseball’s throw of Doubleday Field. A few finer dining options are available further from the downtown area.

Those aren’t the only restaurants. You can pretty much find anything your tastebuds desire.

Whether you spend just a few hours in Cooperstown or a few days, it is time well spent.

San Diego Chicken — **^{There is even some wildlife in the Baseball Hall of Fame.}**

Previous Installments of the Great Ballpark Chase by Tim Russell

The Overview, August 10, 2022
Rocky Mountain High, August 17, 2022
Back to School Time, August 24, 2022
On Target, August 31, 2022
Milwaukee’s Best, September 7, 2022
Guaranteed Fun, September 14, 2022
Busch!, September 21, 2022
Sidetrip!, September 28, 2022
Fountains & Waterfalls, October 5, 2022
That’s a Wrap, October 12, 2022
Fenway Sizzle, Then Fizzle, July 24, 2023
Taking a Bite Out of the Big Apple, July 31, 2023

The Fan Teaser: Week 40 Solution

July 23, 2023July 21, 2023DouglasTHillLeave a comment

**^{MLB relievers either wax or wane. This one always seemed to wax.}**

What with the handlebar mustache, pitcher Rollie Fingers was a looked like a bit of a baseball throwback. Used almost exclusively as a reliever through his 17-year MLB career, Fingers retired following the 1985 season with 341 saves. The high-point was likely the 1981 season when he was named both the AL MVP and AL Cy Young Award winner. He yielded only nine earned runs over 47 appearances covering 78 innings.

He was enshrined in the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1992. You’re able to see his induction speech below.

Also found below is the end of his battle with Cincinnati Red Johnny Bench from Game 3 during the 1972 World Series.