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Verducci not getting it

metsguyinmichigan Jun 24 2008 11:22 AM

"The rainout meant that I played in and have the lineup card from the last Hall of Fame Game played, last year between the Blue Jays and Orioles. I felt privileged to be a part of it, and even more so now that the tradition is gone. I drove four hours to Cooperstown, dressed into a Blue Jays uniform in a grounds crew equipment closet at Doubleday Field, played in the game, changed again in the closet, and drove another four hours home. Only by being there did I truly understand what the game meant not only to Cooperstown but also to the denomination of baseball and its most devout believers. Baseball needs Cooperstown, the self-styled "Birthplace of Baseball," the way our democracy needs D.C., even if it means a dash of mythology comes with it." This from Verducci's column bemoaning the apparent death of the Hall of Fame Game. The very fact that Tom Verducci was allowed to play in the game proves that it was over and done. From what remember, starters would put in a token appearance for an inning or two, then folks were treated to AAA call-ups and bench players for the rest of the game. At that point, why bother? Now, if they wanted to make it a game that counted, I'd be all for it. If they can play a game that counts in Japan and San Juan, they can play one that counts on Doubleday Field. -- and without the likes of Tom Verducci making it a joke by suiting up!

Benjamin Grimm Jun 24 2008 11:28 AM

]Only by being there did I truly understand what the game meant not only to Cooperstown but also to the denomination of baseball and its most devout believers. I think this churchiness is part of the reason I have little interest in Cooperstown anymore. I once bought into that stuff, but I can no longer get reverent about baseball. I do like the idea of playing a real regulation game at Doubleday Field, but I doubt that many teams would want to give up a home date to play at a tiny little out-of-the-way park. If there was still a low-drawing Expos franchise in Montreal, which isn't that far from Cooperstown, then maybe something could be made to work. But you know that the Mets, Yankees, or Red Sox won't give up a home date.

HahnSolo Jun 24 2008 11:35 AM

They should do a doubleheader the Saturday before the regular season starts: Mets-Red Sox Phils-Yanks I feel for the merchants up there. Was in Cooperstown in February, and the stores all counted on teh money they brought in that day.

AG/DC Jun 24 2008 11:35 AM

If baseball has an interest --- and they do --- in promoting the history and culture of baseball, they would make it worth these teams' while.

seawolf17 Jun 24 2008 11:52 AM

Edgy's right, but there's no money in a Cooperstown game, which is why it's scuttled. Baseball cares about history, but only in that it serves an economic end. They'll pay players to fly to Japan, because there's millions of dollars there. Not so in central NY.

Vic Sage Jun 25 2008 11:12 AM

that's where they should play the All-Star game every year. From an economic point of view, it doesn't matter where (or how big) the ballpark is; they make their money from tv and commercial tie-ins. it would put the focus on the history of the game, and put the A-S game in historical context. they could even have the induction ceremonies during A-S weekend. Good will and promotion value alone would be worth it. And nobody would have to give up a home game.

Benjamin Grimm Jun 25 2008 11:14 AM

I think Vic's idea is terrific.

Vince Coleman Firecracker Jun 25 2008 11:17 AM

Awesome idea. The new inductees could throw out the first pitch or something. There could be an old timer's game. I love this idea.

seawolf17 Jun 25 2008 11:34 AM

Love it.

AG/DC Jun 25 2008 11:36 AM

I've always felt that the All-Star Game, induction ceremonies, and Hall of Fame Game, should go down the same week. NBC or Fox could call it Baseball Week or somebody and make a showcase of it. Players would get a week off, get a chance to recover, and even All-Stars would get a chance to recover. There'd be far less reason to make your top pitcher whine about a slight injury as a reason to keep him out. Of course, making up the lost time would mean scheduled double-headers, and that would mean reversing a trend. A week without real baseball would be murder for the bigger fans, but that could be vacatin week for us.

metirish Jun 25 2008 12:12 PM

That really is a great idea from Vic . FOX would never go for it I think.

metsguyinmichigan Jun 25 2008 12:22 PM

Nice idea, but the All-Star Game is a big deal for the city that hosts it. The FanFests and all bring a lot of people. Lots of attention drawn to the city for potential business and tourism. Teams hosting promote the snot out of the game -- notice what the Skanks have been doing. Would be cool, though!

Nymr83 Jun 25 2008 12:26 PM

i agree it's a good idea. i suppose the clubs would want to split the revenue 30 ways? i'm not sure how they split it up now, do the yankees get it all since they are hosting?

Rockin' Doc Jun 26 2008 09:51 PM

Great idea, Vic. That alone ensures that Selig and baseball will never go for it.

RealityChuck Jun 27 2008 08:55 AM Re: Verducci not getting it

metsguyinmichigan wrote: From what remember, starters would put in a token appearance for an inning or two, then folks were treated to AAA call-ups and bench players for the rest of the game. At that point, why bother? Doubleday Field was always packed for the game. Tickets sold out months in advance. And the fans in the area had few chances to see any MLB players, even AAA callups. The nearest minor league team is probably Binghamton -- an hour and a half away (it looks like Little Falls has an amateur summer team). It's a big deal for central NY. The end of the game was an MLB decision that had nothing to do with fan support for it.