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Open
seven days a
week the year round, with the exception of Thanksgiving, Christmas and
New Year's Day, the Hall of Fame is open from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. after
Labor Day until Memorial Day Weekend. Summer hours are from 9 a.m.
until 9 p.m. daily. Ticket prices are $14.50 for adults (13
and
over), $9 for seniors (65 and over) and for those holding current
memberships in the VFW, Disabled American Veterans, American Legion and
AMVets organizations, and $5 for juniors (ages 7-12). Members are
always admitted free of charge and there is no charge for children six
years of age or younger, active and retired card-carrying
military
personnel. For more information, visit our Web site at Baseballhall.org
or call
888-HALL-OF-FAME (888-425-5633). Inductions of Gossage, Williams Highlight
Hall of Fame Weekend 2008, July 25-28
-- Cooperstown Weekend Honors One Of Game’s Greatest Relievers and A Two-Time World Series Champion Manager, Along With Dreyfuss, Kuhn, O’Malley and Southworth--
(COOPERSTOWN,
N.Y.): In less than four weeks, all eyes of the baseball world will
once again turn to Cooperstown, N.Y., for Hall of Fame Weekend 2008,
July 25-28, as 50 Hall of Famers are scheduled to return to honor the
Class of 2008 at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. The
annual Induction Ceremony will be held Sunday, July 27, at 1:30 p.m.
EDT at the Clark Sports Center, located about a mile from the Museum. A
full weekend of family events, baseball entertainment, and exclusive
opportunities complements a classic American weekend from this central
New York State pastoral village.
One electee emerged
from the Baseball Writers’ Association of America vote in January –
former relief pitcher Rich “Goose” Gossage, who became the 199th former
Major League player to be elected to the Hall of Fame. Gossage was
named on 85.8 percent of ballots cast. Gossage was listed on 466
ballots in his ninth try in the BBWAA election.
The
December 2007 Veterans Committee election produced two former managers
and three former executives for induction July 27. Former Red Sox, A’s,
Angels, Expos, Padres and Mariners skipper Dick Williams, who led his
teams to four World Series appearances, will receive his plaque at the
Clark Sports Center after receiving 13 of 16 possible votes for a
percentage of 81.3. Billy Southworth, who managed the Cardinals and
Braves for 13 seasons and posted a remarkable .597 winning percentage,
also received 81.3 percent of the vote. Former Pittsburgh Pirates owner
Barney Dreyfuss, one of the fathers of the first World Series in 1903,
received 83 percent of the vote on the Executives and Pioneers ballot.
Former commissioner Bowie Kuhn also received 83 percent of the vote,
while former Dodgers owner Walter O’Malley, who pioneered baseball’s
expansion to the West Coast, received 75 percent of the vote.
Gossage
and Williams are the only living electees. Candidates needed to receive
75 percent of the vote to be elected. The five Veterans Committee
electees mark the first selections by the Vets Committee since 2001.
Bios of all Hall of Fame electees are available at baseballhalloffame.org.
Additionally,
the Hall of Fame will recognize longtime voice of the Seattle Mariners,
Dave Niehaus, with the 2008 Ford C. Frick Award for major contributions
to baseball broadcasting. The late Larry Whiteside, the first
African-American Hall of Fame voter, will be honored with the 2008 J.G.
Taylor Spink award for meritorious contributions to baseball writing,
presented by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America.
And
for the first time, the Buck O’Neil Lifetime Achievement Award will be
presented, with the late O’Neil being the first recipient. The award
will honor an individual whose extraordinary efforts enhanced
baseball's positive impact on society, has broadened the game's appeal,
and whose character, integrity and dignity are comparable to the
qualities exhibited by O'Neil.
The Induction Ceremony will
be shown live on ESPN Classic, with live radio broadcast nationally on
ESPN Radio. ESPN2 will air a condensed rebroadcast of the Induction
Ceremony at 8 p.m. EDT Monday. An audio and video stream cast will be
available at baseballhalloffame.org.
As of July 2, 50 Hall of Fame members are expected to attend Hall of Fame Weekend to welcome the 2008 class.
Sparky Anderson
Orlando Cepeda
Reggie Jackson
Bill Mazeroski
Frank Robinson
Luis Aparicio
Bobby Doerr
Fergie Jenkins
Willie McCovey
Ryne Sandberg
Johnny Bench
Dennis Eckersley
Al Kaline
Paul Molitor
Red Schoendienst
Yogi Berra
Bob Feller
George Kell
Joe Morgan
Tom Seaver
Wade Boggs
Rollie Fingers
Harmon Killebrew
Eddie Murray
Ozzie Smith
George Brett
Carlton Fisk
Ralph Kiner
Phil Niekro
Bruce Sutter
Lou Brock
Whitey Ford
Sandy Koufax
Jim Palmer
Don Sutton
Jim Bunning
Bob Gibson
Tommy Lasorda
Gaylord Perry
Earl Weaver
Steve Carlton
Tony Gwynn
Juan Marichal
Robin Roberts
Billy Williams
Gary Carter
Monte Irvin
Willie Mays
Brooks Robinson
Dave Winfield
Veteran
baseball announcer George Grande, who has called games for ESPN , the
New York Yankees, St. Louis Cardinals and currently, the Cincinnati
Reds, will return as master of ceremonies. Grande has introduced the
returning Hall of Fame members at the Induction Ceremony since 1981.
Unless
severe weather forces its cancellation, the Ceremony will take place on
the grounds outside of the Clark Sports Center, which is located on
lower Susquehanna Avenue. Just one mile south of the Hall of Fame, the
short walk provides a picturesque view of the homes of Cooperstown.
Please note that professional interpreters will be provided for the
hearing impaired. The event will be held outdoors unless severe weather
forces the cancellation of the ceremony.
The Ceremony is
expected to last two-to-three hours. Seating for the event is unlimited
and free of charge. A blanket or lawn chair is recommended for
comfortable viewing. As the weather in Cooperstown can be quite warm in
July, it is recommended that visitors bring a cap and sunscreen. Ball
caps, yearbooks and Museum membership packages are available for
purchase at the Induction site. Refreshments are sold at the site and
water is provided complimentary to thirsty visitors.
Hall of Fame Weekend Events
Friday,
July 25 PLAY Ball
with Ozzie Smith & special guests, Doubleday Field
(with George Brett and Eddie
Murray)
8:30 a.m.
Buck
O’Neil Statue Dedication, National Baseball Hall of Fame and
Museum 12:30 p.m
Legends for Youth Skills Clinic, Doubleday
Field
1:30 p.m.
Saturday,
July 26 NY-Penn League Game –
Oneonta Tigers vs. Tri-City Valley Cats, Doubleday
Field 2 p.m.
Connecting Generations family trivia show
(with Hall of Famers Brett, Brock, Molitor, Sutter), Clark Sports
Center
3 p.m.
Red Carpet
Arrivals
8 p.m.
Sunday,
July 27 Induction
Ceremony, Clark Sports
Center
1:30 p.m.
Monday, July
28 Legends Series – Rich
“Goose” Gossage and Dick
Williams
10:30 a.m.
*Please note: Regular Daily
Programming will be suspended from July
25-28
PLAY Ball with Ozzie Smith - special guests George
Brett and Eddie Murray: Ozzie Smith returns in a fundraiser for
the Hall of Fame’s education and public programs with a unique
opportunity for fans, featuring fellow Hall of Famers George and Eddie
Murray. This two-hour event features non-stop interaction at each
station with a living legend and includes special mementos. Spaces are
limited to 40 participants. The donation is $1,000 per person, with
Hall of Fame members admitted for $750 and those booking two or more
participants will receive a 10% discount. To reserve your spot, please
call 607-547-0397. 8:30 a.m., Friday.
Legends for Youth
Skills Clinic: The annual Legends for Youth Skills Clinic allows
children ages 5-12 to spend the afternoon enhancing their baseball
skills with Hall of Famers and other former major leaguers on historic
Doubleday Field. Details, including participating players, will be
announced at a later date. Participation in the clinic is free.
Registration for Members is under way and non-members may register
beginning Monday, July 21 by calling the Membership department at
607-547-0397. This event is sponsored by AutoTrader.com and Coca-Cola. Doubleday Field, 1:30 p.m.Friday.
NY-PENN
League Game: The annual New York-Penn League game featuring the Oneonta
Tigers and Tri-City Valley Cats entertains fans at Doubleday
Field. This game is FREE and open to the public. Special
thanks to Coca-Cola and Key Bank for their financial support. Doubleday
Field, 2 p.m. Saturday.
Connecting Generations: The
popular Connecting Generations returns with an all-new format for fans
of all ages. Families from the audience will be chosen to play Hall of
Fame Feud versus members of the Hall of Fame family George Brett, Lou
Brock, Willie McCovey and Bruce Sutter. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5
for children under 12. Members may reserve tickets immediately, and any
remaining tickets will be distributed to non-members on July 21 by
calling 607-547-0397. Clark Sports Center, 3 p.m., Saturday.
Red
Carpet Arrivals: Join the pageantry and excitement of the red carpet
arrivals at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. Watch as the
Hall of Famers arrive on trolleys and participate in red carpet
interviews on the way into their private reception. Museum, 8 p.m.,
Saturday.
Legends Event: The Hall of Fame’s newest
members, Goose Gossage and Dick Williams, participate in a televised
Legends Event. This event is for Members only and tickets are currently
available by visiting the Membership desk in the Museum or by calling
607-547-0397: $5 for adult members; children 12 and under receive free
admission but still must reserve a ticket, Clark Sports Center, 10:30
a.m., Monday.
Hall of Fame members are afforded special
opportunities throughout the Weekend. As a not-for-profit educational
institution, membership support advances the Museum's programs and aids
in the preservation of artifacts and archival materials that document
the rich history of America's game. Additionally, membership packages
are wonderful and unique gifts for friends and family. Members enjoy
many privileges, including free admission to the Hall of Fame the year
round. To learn more about the program and its many benefits, please
visit baseballhalloffame.org
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Additional Hall of Fame Weekend Privileges
· Free admission to the Museum throughout the year
· A special members-only entrance to the Hall of Fame to avoid long lines
Exclusive early access to the Museum on Saturday, Sunday and Monday
VIP reserved seating for the Induction for Benefactor and President's Circle members
Access to the Connecting Generations event Saturday and exclusive access to the Legends Series Monday
Transportation provided to and from the Museum for special Weekend events
The
Museum maintains the following Hall of Fame Weekend hours: Friday: 8
a.m. - 9 p.m. ; Saturday: 8 a.m. - 7 p.m. ; Sunday: 8 a.m. - 9 p.m. ;
Monday: 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. Advance tickets are not necessary but are
available by contacting the Hall of Fame at 888-425-5633 . For Hall of
Fame members, doors open at 7 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday, and at 8
a.m. on Monday. As always, Hall of Fame members receive free admission.
A special members’ only entrance eliminates the need to wait in line.
Interested parties may enroll in the membership program in advance or
at the museum.
Parking will be extremely limited in
Cooperstown during Hall of Fame Weekend. As is the case throughout the
summer, the village will make parking and trolley service available at
three trolley lots in Cooperstown. The Cooperstown Trolley will provide
transit to the Baseball Hall of Fame and Doubleday Field from three
different locations: the Blue Lot on Route 28, south of Cooperstown;
the Red Lot on Route 28 (Glen Avenue) at Maple Street; and the Yellow
Lot on Route 80 at the upper parking lot of the Fenimore Art
Museum. All-day passes are available for $5 per adult and FREE
for children 12 and under. The Trolley will operate throughout Hall of
Fame Weekend from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Monday; 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday. On Sunday of Induction Weekend, a parking lot,
located on River Road just one mile southeast of the village, will be
made available for vehicles. Shuttle service will loop to the Clark
Sports Center and the village of Cooperstown, returning to the parking
lot throughout the day. Look for signs directing traffic to the lot, as
the south entrance to the village will be off Route 28 in Milford.
If
you need help with accommodations during your stay, you should plan to
contact the Cooperstown Chamber of Commerce at 607-547-9983 , or visit
the Chamber web site at www.cooperstownchamber.org.
The Chamber of Commerce site provides detailed information about what
to see, where to stay, places to eat and where to shop in Cooperstown
and nearby towns. For driving directions from major cities, area cities
and local airports, visit the directions page at the Hall of Fame’s Web
site for more information www.baseballhall.org.
The
National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum is open seven days a week
year round, with the exception of Thanksgiving, Christmas and New
Year’s Day. From Memorial Day through Labor Day, the Museum is open
from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m. seven days a week. The Museum observes
off-season hours of 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. from the day after Labor Day
until Memorial Day Weekend. Ticket prices are $16.50 for adults (13 and
over), $11 for seniors (65 and over) and for those holding current
memberships in the VFW, Disabled American Veterans, American Legion and
AMVets organizations, and $6 for juniors (ages 7-12). Members are
always admitted free of charge and there is no charge for children 6
years of age or younger. For more information, visit our Web site
at baseballhall.org
or call 888- HALL -OF- FAME (888-425-5633) or 607-547-7200.
JEFF IDELSON NAMED PRESIDENT OF THE
NATIONAL BASEBALL HALL OF FAME AND MUSEUM
(COOPERSTOWN,
NY) – Jeff Idelson has been named President of the National Baseball
Hall of Fame and Museum, the Museum’s Board of Directors announced
Thursday.
Idelson, 43, has served as Acting President of
the institution since March 25 and has served as vice president of
communications and education for the Museum since June 1999. He
joined the Museum on September 26, 1994, as director of public
relations and promotions. Idelson has spent 22 seasons working in
baseball.
“The Board of Directors is extremely pleased
that Jeff has accepted the appointment as President of the Hall of
Fame,” said Jane Forbes Clark, Chairman of the Board of Directors. “He
has served the Museum with great success and passion for the last 14
years, and we are very enthusiastic about his leadership and his
commitment to growing the institution for many years to come.”
Idelson
becomes the sixth president in the 69-year history of the organization,
following Stephen C. Clark, Sr., founder of the Hall of Fame and
grandfather of current Chairman, Jane Forbes Clark, Paul Kerr, Edward
W. Stack, Donald C. Marr Jr. and Dale A. Petroskey.
In his
previous role with the Museum, Idelson oversaw all Hall of Fame
elections and awards, internal and external communications, community
relations, media relations, publications, public programs, promotions,
advertising, artifact acquisition, visitor services, photography and
the Museum’s Web site. He also oversaw the Museum’s college internship
program, education department, including on-site programs and
point-to-point video conferences, taught by area educators.
Idelson has also served as the liaison to the Baseball Writers’
Association of America, the Hall of Fame’s Committee on Baseball
Veterans, and the Major League Baseball’s 30 teams and its central
office.
"I care deeply about our Museum, its mission and
our extremely talented staff,” said Idelson. “Building on our
foundation of nearly 70 years of success will be a great challenge that
I'm very excited about continuing. The Hall of Fame is a national
treasure. As a staff, we'll continue to provide an emotional, lasting
experience for every fan we touch around the globe.”
In
addition to his work at the Hall of Fame, Idelson serves as a trustee
on the Board of Directors of the Otsego County (NY) Tourism Advisory
Board and the Harlem (NY) branch of Reviving Baseball in the Inner City
(RBI), and also lends his public relations expertise to several
community endeavors, including the Otsego County chapter of the
international program, Girls On The Run.
Idelson was
selected as the 2004 recipient of the prestigious Robert O. Fishel
Award for Public Relations Excellence, awarded annually by Major League
Baseball to an industry executive who excels in promoting the
game. He was also presented the 2006 Leadership and Service Award
by Ithaca College’s Department of Sports Management and Media, for
leadership and service to students and the college.
Before
joining the Baseball Hall of Fame, Idelson was assistant vice president
and senior press officer for World Cup USA 1994, the organizing
committee charged with staging the 1994 soccer World Cup in America. He
served as director of media relations and publicity for the New York
Yankees from 1989-1993, after being hired as the club’s assistant
director of media relations. With the Yankees, Idelson traveled on
every road trip, overseeing all aspects of media relations. He
interfaced among the players, front office and ownership with the
media, acting as team spokesman.
A West Newton, MA native
and a 1986 graduate of Connecticut College in New London, CT, (B.A. in
International Economics), Idelson began his professional career as an
intern in the public relations department of the Boston Red Sox in
1986, continuing work in the team’s public relations department in
1987-88. He also produced home games for the Red Sox Radio
Network (110 stations) in 1987 and 1988, serving as the Flagship
station’s liaison to the Red Sox primary charity, the Jimmy Fund.
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