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Baseball HOF induction
AndyL
Posts: 47 ✭✭
Anybody ever been to the HOF induction? I am fortunate to go this year. I was wondering if anybody had any tips?
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75,000 of my closest friends and I attended Cal Ripken Jr.'s induction.
The Hall of Fame museum was OK. Several B.B. card shops. Very
expensive. Ate at one of the restaurants. Good food and service.
The wife and I were there three nights in Binghamton. Closest we
could get five months out. The gift shop is high dollar.
As a kid visited in 1988 with a buddy and his parents. At a shop on Chestnut he picked up a 14 cracker jack cobb, yep a 14, for 600. In the mid 90s it was a PSA5. Sadly he lost it in a Robbery because he did not have his safe bolted down. It was not insured...
It's the singer not the song - Peter Townshend (1972)
Not even a minute do I buy the whole buh buh buh I'm a man-child japery - Me (2025)
Oww. I did not think about that.
I was one of those 75,000 friends in 2007... and having been there before in 1999 when there were about 50k people there to see Ryan/Brett/Yount get inducted, I had learned a thing or two about getting out of town quickly. In 2007, my brother and I parked a couple miles away in someone's yard who was still charging about $20 (and the yard was still full), but we packed our bikes and rode them to the venue with our bag chairs strapped to our backs. After the ceremony, we walked our bikes around the outside of the crown until we were clear enough to ride them back to our car. We were the first ones back to the lot, and beat the traffic out to the highway. We drove 8 hours back to Ohio, and my cousin said he was still sitting in traffic on his bus IN Cooperstown! I would do it all over again... what a beautiful day that was!!
While I was going to College I worked for a security firm. In Ground Safes are the best way to go for security. Bolted via lags and anchors in concrete floor is next best. Bolted in floor or wall is tied for 3rd.
Leaving a 220LB safe freestanding in a closet near to ones front door will only keep honest people honest. I explained this in great detail back then and was told i was wrong that no one could walk out carrying something that heave with out being noticed. It was likely placed in a large box (like a TV Box which were very large back then) and carrying out by the thief or simply wheeled out via hand cart.
For nearly 30 years I've wanted just to say i told you so but I've held my tongue. The loss of the Cobb plus several other 14's Cracker Jack has been a scar on his soul. Mathewson, Plank, Alexander, Johnson and some minor HOF'ers like Hooper and Wheat. As I recall all were at least as nice as the Cobb but they were raw. I recall the Mathewson being exceptional sharp
The thief/thieves probably busted opened the safe and were like what is this crap and threw it out...???
P.S. The Cobb could have been lower than a 5, It's so many years ago and I wont be asking.
It's the singer not the song - Peter Townshend (1972)
Not even a minute do I buy the whole buh buh buh I'm a man-child japery - Me (2025)
Which theft are you referring to? Out of the loop...
3rd post in this thread.
It's the singer not the song - Peter Townshend (1972)
Not even a minute do I buy the whole buh buh buh I'm a man-child japery - Me (2025)
I was at Gary Carter's in 2003 and was at Ripken's too
The 2007 size wise blew the 2003 day away
In 2003 it felt crowded but we were able to "stroll" around town and go in and out of places rather easily -- this year may be like that.
2007 not so much but both times it was great and would do it all over again if I get the chance.
In 2007 we had to stay in Albany (did wait too long to book a room) about 90 mins away
Looking back it worked out great -- we left very early on the Sat and Sun to make sure we were able to park where the trollies pick you up - as long as you can get there with spots open it is a great way to get to town.
_**Consider the Trolley Park and Ride as an alternative. Look for the “Park and Take the Trolley!” signs as you approach Cooperstown. Trolley Rates apply.
Blue Trolley Lot: Off Route 28 just south of the Village of Cooperstown (traveling north on Rt. 28 from Oneonta, NY).
Red Trolley Lot: Off Route 28 North (Glen Avenue) at Maple Street (traveling south on Route 28 from Route 20).
Yellow Trolley Lot: On Route 80 at the upper parking lot of Fenimore Art Museum (traveling south on Route 80 from Route 20).**_
If you are not a member of the Hall of Fame consider doing that now -- free and early admission to the Hall on the Sat and Sun
Have a blast
Yep, we stayed in Syracuse, also about 90 minutes away! LOL
thank you. Great information
Ihave been to about 10 inductions. my best advice is to be patient. cooperstown is a very small town, not set up for 25,000-75,000 fans showing up for a weekend. it will be very busy and difficult to get around at times. just expect to have to wait for trolleys and for the school busses that will take you from town to the sports complex where the ceremony itself is held.
bring some folding camp chairs for Sunday. the induction is held in a large grass field with no seating. bring sunscreen and a wide brimmed hat. it is always very warm and full sun. bring a backpack with some snacks and bottled water. you will need them!
most of all, have fun! just be patient and drink it all in!
George Brett, Roger Clemens and Tommy Brady.
My family went all the time in early to mid 80's when the HOF autographs were free. An Absolutely wonderful time as a kid, great memories. You met the Players behind there Hotel, I got to see Ted Williams argue with Stan Musial over who was a better hitter Gwynn or Boggs. I'll never forget that, its still vivid in my memory. Saw Brooks and Frank Robinson go in. Later I attended for all Orioles, I was there for the rain out Palmer induction and I was number 74,998 for Ripken, that was a great day with Gwynn. Then life caught up with me.
I haven't been there in years and am itching to get back.
When we didn't get a hotel, we would go very early and get a parking space, if you can, first thing, you'll walk all day. PARK EARLY. We used to get a hot dog from the American Legion walking down Main Street. Long ago there were card shows everywhere almost in every building in every room. I am sure its not the same now, it wasn't the last time I was there for Induction. Prices are high in my recent visits.
Good luck, I am jealous
This brought back great memories
collecting RAW Topps baseball cards 1952 Highs to 1972. looking for collector grade (somewhere between psa 4-7 condition). let me know what you have, I'll take it, I want to finish sets, I must have something you can use for trade.
looking for Topps 71-72 hi's-62-53-54-55-59, I have these sets started
Thanks for sharing. Sounded like a great time.
Yes. Thank you. It will be my first time to Cooperstown. We got a package with whatever VIP seating is. So hopefully the shuttles we get will help out on the walking.
thanks for sharing your memories!!! I have to know the answer: who did each think was the better hitter, boggs or gwynn? which one did williams think was better?
George Brett, Roger Clemens and Tommy Brady.
Williams thought Boggs and Musial Gwynn. As I saw it straight down league lines.
Really fascinating, even at 14 years old, to hear those two talk about hitting. Watching Williams practice a swing with his hands showing Boggs' swing.
It was just a great atmosphere back then. A ton of HOF'ers sitting at tables signing your items, they also signed HOF Plaque postcards for you, they all had a stack of their postcards sitting in front of them to take one.
Get in line early and wait. I remember Musial coming down out of the tent or patio they were on and signing in line because he knew everyone would not get in. they ended up getting him a chair and he sat there signing as people went by. Just a class act person
Funny story, Musial, while sitting there, signed an 8x10 I bought that weekend and ended the L in his last name short, so he tried to extend it and scribbled a little line, then looked at it and apologized to me for it. That will probably be one the last auto'd items I ever get rid of because of that story and interaction.
Great Weekend at Cooperstown
collecting RAW Topps baseball cards 1952 Highs to 1972. looking for collector grade (somewhere between psa 4-7 condition). let me know what you have, I'll take it, I want to finish sets, I must have something you can use for trade.
looking for Topps 71-72 hi's-62-53-54-55-59, I have these sets started
Awesome story. Thank you for sharing. Hopefully I will have some after this weekend.
I grew up not too far from Cooperstown (hence the username). Attended from 1987-98. I skipped 1999 as I was in college and decided to go to Woodstock '99 instead. Had a blast, but also it stopped my streak with my Dad. Picked it up again in 2007 and 2008, and then my Dad got sick and passed in 2009. Took me awhile to get back without him. Attended again in 2014 - 2018, and had to unfortunately miss Mo's year in 2019, which I am still bummed about. COVID took 2020, and then I started the streak again in 2021 with Jeter. So I think this makes 26 HOF inductions for me.
I stay in the Utica/Rome area. It's nowhere near as congested, and just about an hour outside of Cooperstown. The crowds have seemed "lighter" to me ever since they dusted off the weekend post-COVID.
My favorite memory was in 1992, I struck out IP graphing at the golf course, so I thought "Since HOFers golf, I wonder if any play tennis?" Wandered over there and saw Ted Williams. I was 14 years old, and my legs were literally shaking walking up to him. Still my best IP graph ever.
Way too old to chase guys at the golf course, so now I just do the paid signings and enjoy the weekend, the town, and all the great food and drink it has to offer. It's the best weekend of the year....enjoy! Heading to central NY today myself.
thanks for replying. this will be my first time there. I am heading that way tomorrow.
Iam curious, how is your induction weekend going? if you get a chance, can we get a report?
George Brett, Roger Clemens and Tommy Brady.