My weekend in Cooperstown. WARNING: LOTS of photos

DanBessette · May 23, 2014 12:03PM

Tomorrow is the annual HOF Classic game with 6 HOFers and dozens more former big leaguers. I'm going with my wife, 2 sons, mom, dad, brother and his fiancee, sister and her fiancee. Some of us also have tickets to the "Night at the Museum" meet n greet afterwards. Will any other forum members be in town? We'll be there Saturday morning thru Monday morning.

yankeeno7 · May 23, 2014 12:31PM

I was going to go but it looks like rain so Im going to save my gas money and not bother. I'll hit HOF weekend though, rain or shine.

Last two times there was a rainout, the players just jumped back on the bus and off they went. The autograph hounds are in full force shoving and pushing. I refuse to get into that mess. If I wasnt at work tonight, I would have thought about going and hanging around town to see who is out and maybe grab an auto or two that way.

I have gone to HOF weekend the night before because I always know where to find Wade Boggs. LOL

DanBessette · May 23, 2014 12:48PM

I went to the inaugural Classic and there were some autograph hounds, but manageable. I hope they haven't gotten much worse over the years, because I'm bringing my 10 and 8 year old sons and I don't want the experience ruined for them. Also hope there's no rainout! The good news for my boys is that we're going to that private reception afterwards, where autographs are strictly prohibited. So they'll hopefully get their photo taken with Pedro Martinez, which is all they care about.

DanBessette · May 26, 2014 12:40PM

Just got back from two and a half days in Cooperstown. To follow is a bit of a photo diary of my weekend. Hope you enjoy, but if you don't please keep it to yourself

First, when we arrived at Doubleday Field it was a madhouse, because Pedro was signing autographs outside. I'm sorry to say that a lot of adults really should have been ashamed of themselves, shoving, elbowing, trampling and squishing small children. The bad news is my 8 year old, whose favorite player is Pedro, couldn't get close enough for an auto, and I don't think Pedro believed I was asking for my kid. The great news: my ten year old is tiny and aggressive and he was able to nab this!

Pretty awesome. Thankfully, my youngest son was not shut out; when we got inside the park, all 3 of us got autos from Carl Pavano and "Every Day" Eddie Guardado, two SUPER guys!

Pedro is still number one in Payton's eyes, but now Guardado is a close second! The boys even made up a song about him, haha. It rhymes Guardado with Machado and Votto. A little catchy too, to be honest.

DanBessette · May 26, 2014 12:46PM

Here is a series of photos from the game....

I don't know if you can tell, but that's Thome batting in the last pic.

DanBessette · May 26, 2014 12:58PM

After the game and after the monsoon, we went back to the hotel, dried off, and then headed back to the Hall for "Night at the Museum." We met 25 former ballplayers and, even better than the photos we got taken with them, the highlight of the whole weekend was chatting with these guys. Spent a lot of time with Guardado and Pavano. Talked to Ozzie about his backflips, Dawson about his 2 years in Boston. Told Dan Wheeler my Dad grew up in the same town (Warwick, RI) that he did. Teased Alomar about killing my Red Sox in the 90's.... "All the time, man!" he said. Showed Rollie Fingers his baby-faced young self in '69 and he cracked up. Told Garvey he belongs in the Hall and wished him luck on the next Veterans' ballot. Teased Steve Avery about the crush my wife used to have on him, told Hatteberg that if it wasn't for "Moneyball" my wife would have no idea who he is

Other fantastic guys included Vinny Castilla and Marlon Anderson. I could go on and on. Instead I'll show a few pics of me with some players.

That's Carl Pavano

Me, Garvey, my brother, and brother-in-law

And there's my brother in law, me, everyday Eddie and my dad.

BLUEJAYWAY · May 26, 2014 1:01PM

Always great to see travel log pixs of events. Glad those ominous dark rain clouds were held at bay(?) for the game. Also glad you were able to secure some graphs. Any card shops/purchases to report? Were prices high if you did purchase anything?

DanBessette · May 26, 2014 1:03PM

Sunday, we toured the Hall at a leisurely pace, starting with the plaques. Obviously every player is fantastic, here are just a few, starting with my favorite:

That last one is for JoeBanzai, who has been a great friend to me on these boards.

DanBessette · May 26, 2014 1:08PM

<< <i>Any card shops/purchases to report? Were prices high if you did purchase anything? >>

Prices are outrageous in the shops in town. I knew that from my previous visit, but confirmed it again. I was tempted to buy some of the Perez-Steele limited edition postcards in the museum shop, because I absolutely LOVE those, as most of you know, but I was able to control myself. They had packs of the 2013 Panini Cooperstown cards in that gift shop too. Price wasn't great, but my sons and I couldn't resist and bought a combined 6 packs. I really liked the set and will post some pics in a separate thread. My oldest got a Yaz, which made me jealous, and he also got a nice hit with a foil serial-numbered Musial.

BLUEJAYWAY · May 26, 2014 1:14PM

I really praise these players who cared enough to show up for this event and mix with the fans. This is what, in large part, is whats right with the game.

DanBessette · May 26, 2014 1:14PM

More pics from the Hall.....

The Babe's locker

Statues of Podres and Campanella, 60'6" apart.

Mr. Satchel Paige had enough of my shenanigans!

DanBessette · May 26, 2014 1:16PM

Last pick. As a Yaz collector, I found this shop interesting, owned by his 2nd cousin, Adam.

lawnmowerman · May 26, 2014 7:06PM

Wow! Thanks for sharing Dan. Looks like you and the kids had a blast.

I see Steve Garvey still has his huge popeye forearms lol

zep33 · May 26, 2014 8:43PM

Love looking through pics like these - glad you guys had fun

BostonAmericans · May 26, 2014 11:20PM

Now I know why my cousin went this weekend. We'll be heading back (I hope) sometime in July. Glad you had fun.

WhiteTornado · May 27, 2014 12:07AM

Looks like you had a fantastic time! I recall later in his career, the Cardinals told Ozzie Smith to stop doing a backflip as he entered the field to start the game. He was starting to have lower back issues and this was a contributing factor.

Vinny Castilla. When I lived in Tampa, he came there as this celebrated slugger from Colorado. The thin air must have inflated his numbers and his attitude, too. When he was in Tampa Bay he was terrible and gave almost no effort at all. He gave little exertion playing 3rd base and swung and most every pitch that came his way. It was if he couldn't get his at-bats over fast enough. It got so bad, the local media and fans started calling him Vinny "Cash-Steal-ah"

LarkinCollector · May 27, 2014 1:11AM

Looks like an awesome trip! I still need to make it up there one of these days.

DanBessette · May 27, 2014 1:29AM

Well I was thinking of you buddy and took the pic of Larkin's plaque for you. Got Rose's stuff from his MVP season (73?). Should've gotten you a pic of Bench's plaque. It was right next to Yaz's.

yankeesman · May 27, 2014 4:39AM

Awesome pics and thread! Cooperstown is an awesome place to visit and that looks like an unbelievable experience for you and your family. Thanks for sharing.

jmaciu · May 27, 2014 4:57AM

Dan, it looks like you had a great weekend with the stars so to speak. I have not been to Cooperstown yet, but it is on the bucket list. Thanks for sharing the pictures.