Grand rededication ceremony highlights Hall of Fame Weekend, July 29-Aug. 1
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COOPERSTOWN — For one glorious weekend in July, all eyes of the
baseball world turn their focus to Cooperstown, New York, for Hall of
Fame Weekend. From July 29-Aug. 1, this pastoral village serves as host
of Hall of Fame Weekend 2005, when baseball honors its legends with the
induction of Wade Boggs and Ryne Sandberg, set for Sunday, July 31 at
1:30 p.m. ET.
A grand rededication ceremony for the Museum, featuring numerous
Hall of Fame members, is set for Friday, July 29 at 1 p.m. ET, as fans
will gather to recognize the largest single renovation project in the
Museum’s 66-year-history, a three-year, $20-million effort completed
this summer and designed to improve the visitor experience.
The Induction Ceremony will be held on the grounds of the Clark
Sports Center. The event is scheduled to commence at 1:30 p.m. EDT and
will be shown live on ESPN Classic, with live radio broadcast
nationally on ESPN Radio. An audio stream cast will be available at the
Hall of Fame’s Web site, baseballhalloffame.org.
As of July 6, 49 of 60 Hall of Fame members are scheduled to return
to Cooperstown to welcome the 259th and 260th inductees into the Hall
of Fame. A record 50 of 58 living Hall of Famers returned to
Cooperstown to welcome Dennis Eckersley and Paul Molitor into the Hall
of Fame family.
Additionally, the Hall of Fame will recognize longtime voice of the
San Diego Padres, Jerry Coleman, who will be presented with the 2005
Ford C. Frick award for major contributions to baseball broadcasting
and Peter Gammons, current ESPN analyst and longtime Boston Globe
writer, who will receive the 2004 J.G. Taylor Spink award for
meritorious contributions to baseball writing from the Baseball
Writers’ Association of America.
Veteran baseball announcer George Grande, who has called games for
ESPN, the New York Yankees, St. Louis Cardinals and currently, the
Cincinnati Reds, will serve as master of ceremonies. Grande has
introduced the returning Hall of Fame members at the Induction Ceremony
since 1981. The invocation will be delivered by Friar Roberto Corral,
O.P. The Canadian Anthem will be delivered by Hall of Famer Gary Carter.
Weather permitting, the Ceremony will take place on the grounds
outside of the Clark Sports Center, which is located on lower
Susquehanna Avenue. Just one mile south of the Hall of Fame, the short
walk provides a picturesque view of the homes of Cooperstown. Every
effort will be made to hold the event outdoors in the event of
inclement weather. Please note that professional interpreters will be
provided for the hearing impaired.
The Ceremony usually lasts two-to-three hours. Seating for the event
is unlimited and free of charge. A blanket or lawn chair is recommended
for comfortable viewing. As the weather in Cooperstown can be quite
warm in July, it is recommended that you bring a cap and sunscreen.
Ball caps, yearbooks and Museum membership packages are available for
purchase at the Induction site. Refreshments are sold at the site and
water is provided complimentary to thirsty visitors.
Parking will be extremely limited in Cooperstown during Hall of Fame
Weekend. As is the case throughout the summer, the village will make
parking and trolley service available at three trolley lots in
Cooperstown. The Cooperstown Trolley will provide transit to the
Baseball Hall of Fame and Doubleday Field from three different
locations: the Blue Lot on Route 28, south of Cooperstown; the Red Lot
on Route 28 (Glen Avenue) at Maple Street; and the Yellow Lot on
Route 80 at the upper parking lot of the Fenimore Art Museum.
All-day passes are available for $2 per person. The Trolley will
operate throughout Hall of Fame Weekend from 8:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.
each day. On Sunday of Induction Weekend, a parking lot, located
on River Road just one mile southeast of the village, will be
made available for vehicles. Shuttle service will loop to the Clark
Sports Center and the village of Cooperstown, returning to the parking
lot throughout the day. Look for signs directing traffic to the lot.
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