Hit 'Em My Way

Cooperstown

mlblogsshaundean — Wed, 30 Aug 2006 02:44:34 +0000

This past summer, the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum brought our family to Cooperstown to talk about our experience. Any baseball fan who has never been to Cooperstown should definitely plan a visit. It is anything and everything baseball, from many years before Babe Ruth to the present. Even though the majority of the HOF collection is not on display ,the vast collection of items on display was amazing. From the Grandstand Theater to the Hall of Fame Gallery, you see the entire history of baseball.

The HOF invited me to participate in a "Sandlot Stories" program to talk about my experience. The balls I caught and donated to the HOF are currently on display in the Autumn Glory section.

Many people have asked what I received for donating the baseballs. I never asked for anything, I just thought the HOF was their rightful place for the baseballs. The Astros brought us out to a team workout during last year’s NLCS. We met Roger Clemens and he signed my jersey and Tyler’s jersey and cap. The Astros gave us tickets to Game 3 vs. the Cardinals and autographed clubhouse jerseys from Lance Berkman and Chris Burke. Much thanks to Todd Fedewa for the great experience.

The Hall of Fame gave us lifetime passes and World Series tickets. They also flew us to Cooperstown and put us up at the luxurious Otesaga Resort. In addition to the regular HOF tour, which is neat in itself, we also got a behind the scenes tour. We saw some pretty cool stuff, some of which is posted in my Hall of Fame photo album, as well as other pics from our trip.

Much thanks to Jeff Idelson and the HOF staff for making our trip to Cooperstown an experience our family will never forget. This was the formal conclusion to this great baseball experience, although people still ask me about the catches.

HOF Shoes

mlblogsshaundean — Wed, 30 Aug 2006 01:53:00 +0000

From left, Mark McGuire’s shoe, Willie Mays’ shoes, and Babe Ruth’s shoes

Home Run Bats

mlblogsshaundean — Wed, 30 Aug 2006 01:52:58 +0000

Tyler holding a Barry Bonds bat, I am holding Hank Aaron’s 3,000th hit bat

Black Sox Bat

mlblogsshaundean — Wed, 30 Aug 2006 01:49:52 +0000

Shoeless Joe Jackson’s bat…heavier than the other bats

HOF Bats

mlblogsshaundean — Wed, 30 Aug 2006 01:49:50 +0000

Ray is holding a Ted Williams bat and I am holding a Babe Ruth bat

Rocket jersey

mlblogsshaundean — Wed, 30 Aug 2006 01:49:49 +0000

Roger Clemens’ Yankees jersey from the 2001 World Series

Ryan Jersey

mlblogsshaundean — Wed, 30 Aug 2006 01:49:47 +0000

Ray, Tyler, and I with an Astros Rainbow jersey

1936 HOF Class

mlblogsshaundean — Wed, 30 Aug 2006 01:49:46 +0000

Brandi, Tyler, and I with the first class of HOF’ers
Christy Mathewson, Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb, Honus Wagner, Walter Johnson

HOF Program

mlblogsshaundean — Wed, 30 Aug 2006 01:49:44 +0000

Ray, Tyler, Gayle, Brandi, and I after the HOF program about my experience

HOF Program 2

mlblogsshaundean — Wed, 30 Aug 2006 01:49:42 +0000

Pic from the HOF program “Sandlot Stories” about my experience