After last year’s inaugural Hall of Fame Classic, we wrote
an editorial outlining some changes that we felt would
make the game more appealing to baseball fans.
Coincidentally or not, we’re pleased to see museum officials
have addressed most of those concerns for the second
Classic, which is scheduled for Father’s Day, June 20.
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While the original game, a legends-style, exhibition
contest featuring five Hall of Famers and other former major
leaguers in a seven-inning exhibition contest, was entertaining,
there was definitely room for improvement.
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Last June, after Hall of Famers like Bob Feller, Phil Niekro
and Paul Molitor signed autographs for some fans, the ones
who didn’t get any became overly insistent, almost belligerent.
The Hall has addressed that this year by planning autograph
sessions before and after the game to accommodate
anyone and everyone who wants an autograph.
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While the game itself was fun, watching Brooks Robinson
fall trying to run to first base or hold his shoulder in agony
when trying to throw to first base was a little depressing.
This was also addressed, as former Philadelphia Phillies
star Mike Schmidt will play this season. Although Schmidt is
close to 60, he is still in great shape and shouldn’t embarrass
himself on the field. The Hall should continue to pursue
younger Hall of Famers who can still play competitively.
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Former Mets catcher Gary Carter and former Yankees reliever
Rich ``Goose’’ Gossage were also added to the roster,
another good move by Hall officials. Both won World Series
with their respective New York teams, and should be an
additional draw for the contest. Approximately 7,000 of the
nearly 10,000 tickets available were sold for the inaugural
Hall of Fame Classic last June. The 22 former players and the
five Hall of Famers who participated did everything in their
power to make the game fan-friendly and entertaining,
which it was.
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``Nostalgia is right in our wheelhouse,’’ said Hall of Fame
president Jeff Idelson.
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Idelson went on to say that the Classic, which was a
replacement for the discontinued Hall of Fame Game, will
likely be an annual event.
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``We’re glad to see that Hall officials tweaked the event
to make it even more fan-friendly and ensuring it will be a
long-term success.
