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June 25, 2009

Former players embrace Classic

By ERIC AHLQVIST
Cooperstown Crier

Jeff Kent, the former major leaguer who was often portrayed as moody, ornery and standoffish during his playing career, was clearly awe struck Sunday morning. Kent, a likely first ballot Hall of Famer, was one of 23 former big league players to take part in the Baseball Hall of Fame’s inaugural Father’s Day Classic Sunday afternoon.

During a half-hour press conference at the Clark Sports Center Sunday morning, Kent said being in Cooperstown, and talking with the other players as well as five Hall of Famers, was an eye-opening experience.

``I was never much into the history of the game before now,’’ said a smiling, affable Kent. ``But being here and talking to these guys really makes me want to learn more. I listened to some of the old-timers’ stories and it’s just neat. I’m looking forward to touring the Hall of Fame too. I’ve never been inside. I’m not one to worry about things out of my control, but yeah, I’d like to be in this fraternity.’’

Kent played 17 seasons and broke Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg’s record for home runs by a second baseman, finishing with 351; 74 more than Sandberg. He was the 2000 Most Valuable Player, and drove in 100 runs or more for six straight seasons from 1997-2002.

``Now that the opportunity to go into the Hall of Fame (Kent will be eligible in 2014) presents itself and I stop and look back, I’m proud of the things I accomplished,’’ he said.

Kent said he was also excited to get on the field for the Classic. ``This is a chance to bridge the gap between the players and the fans,’’ he said. ``Sometimes, major league players can seem inaccessible to the fans, but we’re going to try and change that.’’

Later that afternoon, Kent won the inaugural hitting contest, besting Steve Finley in the finals.

Christian Mass, the 12-yearold son of Kevin Maas, a former Yankee, walked around the Clark Sports Center trying to get all the players’ autographs.

``I want to get them all, but I’m not sure if I did or not,’’ said Maas, who like Kent, seemed to be in awe of the players around him.

Maas said he plays the infield in Little League, and he received fielding tips from former major league second baseman Bobby Grich during the media conference. ``I’d like to make it to the big leagues someday,’’ Christian said.

During the game, Christian watched, and videotaped, as his father, Kevin Maas, a former New York Yankee, hit the first home run in the history of the Classic, a line drive over the right field fence off Anthony Telford in the top of the third inning. Hall of Fame third baseman Brooks Robinson said he was just as excited to mingle with fans as play in the Classic.

``I can still dive,’’ said Robinson, famous for several outstanding diving plays he made at third base against the Reds in the 1970 World Series. ``The difference is now I can’t get back up.’’

Robinson started at third base for Team Wagner in Sunday’s exhibition, and his team rallied for a 5-4 victory.

Robinson received the biggest ovation from the fans during pregame introductions, that is until Hall of Fame pitcher Bob Feller’s name was called. Feller, 90, received a long, standing ovation from the roughly 7,000 fans in attendance at Doubleday Field.

He then opened the Classic on the mound, facing Hall of Fame Paul Molitor, who singled to center field.

``He called me over right before I hit and he said there are two rules,’’ Molitor said afterward. ``No bunting, and no hitting up the middle.’’

Another former Yankee, Mike Pagliarulo, had the game-winning hit, an RBI double in the bottom of the sixth inning of the seven-inning exhibition.

The Classic, which took over for the Hall of Fame Game — a nearly 70-year tradition — went very well, National Baseball Hall of Fame President Jeff Idelson said.

``The weekend was a smashing success,’’ Idelson said. ``The feedback we’ve gotten from players who were here said how they enjoyed being here and how they were energized by the crowd. The visitor experience, by and large, is what we had hoped for. There’s a good connectivity and accessibility to the players.’’

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