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The late addition of slick fielding shortstop Ozzie Smith to the Hall of Fame line-up for its second annual Hall of Fame Classic this Sunday should add some pizzazz to this year’s game.
Smith, a 2002 Hall of Fame inductee, was nicknamed ``The Wizard’’ for his legendary fielding exploits. He set the tone early in his career in San Diego when he made one of the best fielding plays in history, ranging far to his left to field a sharply struck line drive, which hit the dirt and bounced hard to his right. Smith fielded the ball with his bare hand and threw the runner out at first.
He earned a record 13 straight Gold Glove Awards, and also developed into a tough out at the plate, finishing with 2,460 hits and 580 stolen bases.
But as much as Smith was one of the game’s best showman during his career, he has turned into one of its best spokesman since retiring. He is currently the Hall’s Education Ambassador, and routinely speaks with students about the importance of education.
This summer, he will participate in the ninth annual ``Play Ball’’ event at Doubleday Field on the Friday prior to this year’s Induction Ceremony on July 25. The event raises money for the Hall’s education department.
``Play Ball is all about giving back,’’ Smith said in a conference call on Monday. ``It’s an interactive event and it’s all about the people.’’
Hall of Fame President Jeff Idelson said Smith can ``still pick it’’ and has been one of the Hall’s best ambassadors since his Induction in 2002.
Smith is just one of seven Hall of Famers scheduled to play Sunday along with 20 former major leaguers, including Jeff Kent, a likely future Hall of Famer.
Smith is still in great playing shape as is third baseman Mike Schmidt, who will also participate. The others include Gary Carter, Harmon Killebrew, and pitchers Phil Niekro, Bob Feller, Rollie Fingers and Rich ``Goose’’ Gossage.
The Hall is to be commended for putting together not only a great line-up of former players, but also an entire weekend of events around the game.
Our Opinion
Our Opinion: From showman to spokesman
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Our Opinion: Bassett should know better
Last week, Bassett Healthcare tried to take over two of the village’s public parking lots for the exclusive use of its employees. The lots are on East Lake Road near the entrance to Fairy Springs Park, and Bassett put up signs that said the lots are for Bassett Healthcare staff parking only.
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Our Opinion: Support the Quiz Team
The Cooperstown high school quiz team will take on faculty in a live quiz showdown on Sunday. The event is being held to help raise money so members of the team can compete nationally in Washington, D.C. Donations will be accepted at the door. The Quiz Bowl is set to begin at 7 p.m. in the Sterling Auditorium and we encourage members of the public to go support the team in its academic endeavors.
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Our Opinion: Vote for Pohl
Cooperstown Central School graduate Phil Pohl is among 10 finalist in the Lowe’s Senior Class Award. First off congratulations, Phil. You have always shined on and off the baseball diamond. Pohl graduated at the top of his class and was a two-time Class C New York state Player-of-the-Year while at CCS.
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Our Opinion: Put an end to the chemicals
The use of chemical herbicides and pesticides was the main topic at a meeting of the village’s environmental conservation committee meeting Tuesday morning.
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Our Opinion: Town board made right decision
Last week, the Otsego town board voted to grant the village’s Gateway Project “limited zoning immunity.” The decision nullified a stop work order issued to the project earlier by Otsego Town Code Enforcement Officer Hank Schecher.
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Our Opinion: Small tax increase a good idea
The village board held its public hearing on the budget Monday night and no one showed up to voice opposition to the 2 percent tax increase approved late last month by the trustees.
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Enjoy area activities, attractions
With the rising gas prices many people are counting pennies just to keep food on the table, much less thinking about taking a family vacation.
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Our Opinion: Contest or not, vote
Next Tuesday is the annual village election. Residents will vote for a new mayor and two members of the board of trustees.
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Our Opinion: Roses
Roses to the Cooperstown Concert Series for the completion of another entertaining season. The series has been providing live entertainment for the community during the fall and winter for 42 seasons. Each year the series brings that entertainment to Cooperstown through the efforts of the many volunteeers in the organization. Their efforts and the support of their patrons and sponsors adds a great deal to life in the village.
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Our Opinion: Taking concussions seriously
Traumatic brain injury is a serious public health problem in the United States. Each year, it contributes to a substantial number of deaths and cases of permanent disability. Recent data shows that, on average, about 1.7 million people sustain a traumatic brain injury annually. It is becoming a national concern!
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Our Opinion: Bassett should know better
