Did you see this?
A Hall of Fame-worthy installment of our weekly look at some of the best and most interesting things I've seen over the last 7 days
ANSWERING THE CALL TO THE HALL
With Fred McGriff and Scott Rolen being inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame this afternoon, I’m leading off with a plea to anyone who loves Baseball:
If you’ve never visited Cooperstown, GO!
Words and pictures will never do justice to the feeling you get walking down Main Street in the picture-perfect village of fewer than 2,000 people. And that’s before you enter the Hall of Fame, where you could spend days studying the exhibits that trace the history of the Game and reading the bronze plaques in the Hall of Fame gallery that immortalize the 1 percent of players all-time who have earned induction.
Everyone should experience an induction weekend, and I’ve been fortunate to attend 2 over the years. But if you’ve never visited before, I wouldn’t recommend that weekend as your introduction to Cooperstown because of the overwhelming crowds. Pick another time in the spring, summer or fall to experience everything the village has to offer.
If you can get a room at the famed Otesaga Hotel—filled exclusively by the returning Hall of Famers, the inductees and their families on induction weekend—make that your home base. Take in the view of majestic Otsego Lake from one of the rocking chairs on the back patio. Make the short walk through a residential neighborhood to Main Street. Grab breakfast at Schneider’s Bakery and lunch at the Cooperstown Diner. Browse the baseball-themed shops. If your timing is right, maybe catch a ballgame at Doubleday Field.
And then there’s the Hall of Fame.
The museum’s slogan couldn’t be more perfect:
"Preserving History, Honoring Excellence, Connecting Generations"
That’s precisely what the Hall of Fame does. And if you’ve never seen it for yourself, move it to the top of your Baseball bucket list.
SPEAKING OF THE HALL…
Former long-time Hall of Fame president Jeff Idelson this week reshared a piece he wrote in 2014 about the Hall and Hall of Fame weekend.
The great Tyler Kepner of the New York Times writes about how the induction of Fred McGriff and Scott Rolen is a reflection of how Hall of Fame voters have evolved in their thinking.
Tyler also put this fun game together. Can you name the Hall of Famers based on the first sentence of their plaques?
David O’Brien of The Athletic remembers Fred McGriff’s fiery first day in a Braves uniform, 30 years ago this week.
From The Athletic’s C. Trent Rosencrans: How differently would things have turned out had 1993 Indiana Mr. Basketball finalist Scott Rolen gone to the University of Georgia to play basketball?
AGAINST THE MARLINS
McGriff played more than 1/3 of his 2,460 big league games before the Marlins joined the NL in 1993. But in 92 games, he batted .317/.411/.553/.965 with 20 doubles, 3 triples, 18 home runs and 62 RBI against Marlins pitchers. He slugged 11 homers and knocked in 32 in 44 career games at the old football stadium in Miami.
Rolen played 109 career games against the Marlins and batted .269/.365/.472/.837 with 28 doubles, 4 triples, 15 homers and 72 RBI. He managed 7 homers and drove in 28 in 50 games at the old football stadium.
HALL OF FAME TRIVIA
Who are the 4 members of the Hall of Fame who played at least one game at loanDepot park?
Drop your answer in the comments below. We’ll have the answer in our next VIEW FROM THE BLEACHERS.
ELSEWHERE THIS WEEK…
DEATH, TAXES AND THE DODGERS
Did you know Dave Roberts has the highest career winning percentage of any manager in ML history with at least 600 lifetime victories? Despite overwhelming injuries to his ballclub, Roberts has the Dodgers rolling toward the playoffs for the 11th straight season in 2023.
NOT GOING ANYWHERE
The Athletic’s Evan Dreilich and Ken Rosenthal reported that MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred will be elected to a 3rd term next week.
Despite his well-deserved victory lap for the success of the pitch clock, Manfred is not popular among most Baseball fans. But here’s what you have to understand: Manfred is hired by the 30 team owners. He doesn’t work for the players. He doesn’t work for the fans. His success or failure as commissioner is not ultimately judged by players or fans but by the owners.
And as long as industry revenues are soaring and team valuations remain on the rise, nothing else matters.
Including bonuses, it has been reported that Manfred makes approximately $25 million a year.
While you’re here…
Learn more about one-on-one play-by-play coaching from Glenn Geffner via Zoom at glenngeffner.com.
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I have great memories of Norman taking me to Cooperstown for my first visit.
I'm still formulating my view of the HOF process. It feels obligatory to put a player or two (preferred) in every year for all the ancillary reasons we know. HOF players were dominant in their area, not just very good. Regarding Manfred, Brando's Colonel Kurtz with the iconic "errand boy sent by grocery clerks" line comes to mind. Bland, but as you most accurately penned, serves his bosses well. So, I don't blame him, but he has no appealing qualities for me and most fans.