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.’’
