First Hall Of Fame - 75th Anniversary

Waiting for Dave to be "ready" to write a blog is like waiting to see pigs fly.  Because he was never "ready", I'm going to go ahead and share my interpretation of his trip to Cooperstown in July. 

In July, Dave was able to go on a trip of a lifetime - to see the Baseball hall of fame induction.  One of his favorite ball players, Frank Thomas, was being inducted.  So he went back while Mom and Drew stayed home (or rather  took a road trip to Yosemite).

After a flight filled with drama, he made it back to Albany and spent the night with his parents before making the 2 1/2 hour drive to Cooperstown, home of the Baseball Hall of Fame.  They go all out for induction weekend.  You're able to walk through the streets and see players from the past lined up so you can pay them for their autographs - some Dave said wanted more than $100!  Dave said he waited in the lines just to say hi and shake hands.

Ricky Henderson

Rollie Fingers

Dave Henderson

Tony Perez

So the big story of the weekend were these fellows...

Reggie Jackson (Left) Pete Rose (Right)

 Grandpa Tim saw Reggie Jackson and Pete Rose shooting the breeze inside one of the shops.  And Grandpa Tim being who he is, cut through the line to break up the conversation between the two men to say hi to the guys and pumped up Dave.

Grandpa Tim Photobombing Pete & Reggie

  He went out to find Dave and then he too cut in line to get the autograph.

Grandpa Tim, Dave and Pete Rose
This was the one autograph they paid for.

 Dave made a joke that he wanted to meet Mr. October... but Pete Rose joked and said, "He may be Mr. October, I was known as Mr. April, May, June, July, August and September."

Grandpa Tim, Reggie Jackson, Dave

 It's one of the highlights from their trip.

Frank Robinson

 As you can imagine hotels during induction weekend are expensive and really hard to come by.  So about a year ago Dave looked into campsites where they can stay for a fraction of the cost.  They had a great time, and it looked beautiful. 

Grandpa Tim belting away

Grandma Lolly & Grandpa Tim

Dave & Tim

 They had a parade of the players from the past and inductees as they made their way inside the Hall of Fame.  Dave said he saw and shook hands with many ball players.  One of the most crowd engaging was Cal Ripkin Jr.  He spent about 45 minutes shaking hands and signing autographs.

Baseball Hall of Fame

Dave, Grandma Lolly & Grandpa Tim at Doubleday Field

Grandpa Tim checking out his new ride

 Later they walked the streets and saw more former players.

Ron Guidry

Goose Gossage

Dale Murphy

Darryl Strawberry

Robin Yount

Crazy Crowds

 And then on Sunday it was the day that Dave was waiting for.  To see the induction from the field.  He even made a homemade sign to represent his favorite player.

Dave at the induction with the sign he made

He'd hoped at one point that he could get Frank Thomas to sign it, but unfortunately that never happened.  He did however get his 4-seconds of fame on the ESPN broadcast of the induction. His sign made the opening of the Induction Show.

Frank Thomas receiving his plaque

Frank Thomas' Speech

Others who were inducted that day: Tom Glavin, Greg Maddux,
Coaches: Joe Torre, Bobby Cox, Tony LaRussa

Dave loved the experience and said he wanted to bring Drew and I in about five years.  Just in time for Derek Jeter's induction..... however I think this is much more a father/son trip.  Mom would be a whiner - except for the part where I got to see Jeter...