National Baseball Hall of Fame

Is it time for an MLB return to Doubleday Field in Cooperstown, New York? A column by Don Laible.

No state is represented more often in the National Baseball Hall of Fame than New York, and these are the 33 members who were born in the Empire State.

Fred McGriff was surrounded by many friends in Cooperstown this past weekend to celebrate his induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum.

It's one thing to be so good at baseball, that the player is enshrined in the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY. It's another thing, when that same player faced the challenge of serving in the United States military during wartime. The U.S. Navy decided those players were special.

He was the personal catcher for two National Baseball Hall of Fame pitchers. He was behind the plate for most of Bob Gibson's historic 1968 season, where Gibson pitched to a 1.12 ERA and their St. Louis Cardinals won the World Series. He followed that by becoming HOF'er Steve Carlton's designated backstop. Yet, in New York, he is best known for his voice being a staple on Mets and Yankees broadcasts for two decades.

Finding "holiday week" activities that the entire family will enjoy can be a drag sometimes. Outdoor fun is often curtailed by tough-to-plan-for weather conditions, while other options are either too far away or too expensive. Capital Region baseball fans have a gem in their own backyard and the week between Christmas and New Year's is the perfect time to take advantage.

After the 2022 season, manager Don Mattingly parted ways with the Miami Marlins after seven seasons at the helm. Immediately following his departure from the sunshine state's southernmost MLB team, there was speculation that Mattingly may be reunited with the New York Yankees, in some capacity. However on Tuesday, Mattingly joined a Major League Baseball writer's podcast and indicated that he may be returning to the American League East but it may not be the Yankees.

Bill Madden of the Daily News joined The Drive with Charlie & Dan today and stated that Major League Baseball, and specifically Commissioner Rob Manfred, publicly attempted to minimize David Ortiz's positive test result for PED's, in addition to the slugger's close relationship with a suspected PED drug dealer from the Dominican Republic. Madden backed up his claim as information documented in the book 'The Baseball Cop' written by former Major League Baseball investigator, Eddie Dominguez. The Daily News baseball columnist said that Major League Baseball will one day 'regret' David Ortiz' induction.

There are so many cool baseball events that go on in Cooperstown each summer. The Hall of Fame Classic baseball game played at Doubleday Field is one of them and is a tradition that goes back a few generations. Names like Brooks Robinson, Ozzie Smith, Earl Weaver and Wade Boggs are just a few of the names that have highlighted the games over the years. The Classic was cancelled in 2020, and again last year.

Home team fans always want to see a victory. On days like Thursday afternoon in Detroit, when the Tigers hosted the New York Yankees in the final game of the three-game series, some in attendance were there for another reason as well, history. Sometimes history has to wait as a result of the opposing team's strategy to win the game and let's just say, that made the Comerica Park faithful less than happy.

It's been five years since #2 has been back home at The Stadium. Things have certainly been tumultuous for the Hall of Fame shortstop over the last month, following his resignation as President of the Miami Marlins. However, some home cookin' in September will probably make things a little better.

The final tally of the Baseball Writers Association of America's National Baseball Hall of Fame ballot will come out next Tuesday. On that list is a 'who's who' of Major League Baseball records and accomplishments. The MVP, CY Young and other awards owned by the list of ballot members could sink a ship. However, many of the names that own much of that prestigious hardware are in danger of their time on the Hall of Fame ballot expiring with induction.