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Cooperstown’s offiCial newspaper
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local artist discusses work in films, page 6
VISIT www. Volume 215, No. 29
AllOTSEGO.com, OTSEGO COUNTY’S DAILY NEWSPAPER/ONLINE
Cooperstown, New York, Thursday, July 20, 2023
Newsstand Price $1
52 HoF Legends Coming to Town This Weekend Fred McGriff, Scott Rolen To Be Honored as Class of 2023 COOPERSTOWN he eyes of the baseball world will be focused on Cooperstown this weekend, with the legends of the game in town to see history unfold during Hall of Fame Weekend. Fifty previously-inducted Hall of Fame members are expected to return, July 2124, to celebrate the induction of the Hall of Fame Class of 2023. As of July 10, 52 total Hall of Famers, including 2023 inductees Fred McGriff Photos by Milo Stewart Jr./National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. and Scott Rolen, are schedFormer first baseman Frederick Stanley McGriff (left) and former third baseman Scott Bruce Rolen will be inducted into the National Baseuled to be a part of Hall of ball Hall of Fame and Museum on Sunday, July 23 at the Clark Sports Center in Cooperstown. Fame Weekend festivities in Cooperstown. to the game came from 1980 2,077 hits were 517 doubles, Erskine will be honored with educational programs gives to the present. 43 triples and 316 home the Buck O’Neil Lifetime fans a unique opportunity to Fred McGriff McGriff played 19 runs. He was the National Achievement Award, Cubs experience on-field moments Five-time All-Star and seasons with the Blue Jays, League winner of the Jackie voice Pat Hughes will receive and share stories with Ozzie, 1995 World Champion Padres, Braves, Devil Rays, Robinson Rookie of the Year the Hall of Fame’s Ford C. Hall of Fame teammates McGriff earned election to Cubs and Dodgers from Award in 1997 – a unani- Frick Award for major contri- Eddie Murray, Larry Walker, the National Baseball Hall of 1986-2004, earning five All- mous selection – with the butions to baseball broad- and Dave Winfield. The event Fame on Sunday, December Star Game selections at first Phillies and a member of casting and John Lowe will begins with an exclusive 4 via the Contemporary base. He reached the 30- the Cardinals’ champion- receive the Baseball Writers’ morning reception in the Hall Baseball Era Committee homer mark in 10 seasons, ship club in 2006 when he Association of America’s of Fame Plaque Gallery, then process. He was the only becoming the first player hit .421 with a home run and Career Excellence Award for moves to historic Doubleday candidate elected from the in history to hit 30-or-more two RBI in the World Series. meritorious contributions to Field for interactive stories, Contemporary Baseball Era home runs with five different He was elected in his sixth baseball writing. instruction and fun. To Committee Players Ballot, franchises. The 1994 All-Star year on the ballot. Admission to both the register, call (607) 547-0385. which was considered by a Game MVP and one of the The Class of 2023 will be July 22 Awards Presentation 16-member committee that leaders of the 1995 Braves inducted on Sunday, July 23, simulcast and the July 23 Saturday, July 22 held meetings in San Diego. team that won the World with the Induction Ceremony Induction Ceremony is free. The Hall of Fame Awards The eight-person ballot was Series, McGriff totaled 493 beginning at 1:30 p.m. ET. The Induction Ceremony Presentation will take place at comprised of candidates home runs and eight 100- The 2023 Hall of Fame will be held on the grounds 3 p.m. as a private event, with a whose primary contribution RBI campaigns, finishing Induction Ceremony will of the Clark Sports Center in simulcast at Doubleday Field. in the Top 10 of his league’s air live on MLB Network, Cooperstown starting at 1:30 Carl Erskine will be honored Most Valuable Player Award which has televised every p.m. ET on July 23, unless with the Buck O’Neil Lifetime INSIDE voting six times. McGriff Induction Ceremony since severe weather forces event Achievement Award, Cubs led his league in homers its launch in 2009. cancellation. Lawn seating voice Pat Hughes will receive ► Gov. hOCHUL VISITS twice while compiling a .377 On Saturday, July 22, is free and the ceremony is the Hall of Fame’s Ford C. COOPERSTOWN, page 3 career on-base percentage. the Hall of Fame Awards expected to last two hours. Frick Award for major contri► a look back at the ‘first Presentation will be held The ceremony will be tele- butions to baseball broadfive,’ page 4 Scott Rolen at 3 p.m. as a private vised live on MLB Network casting and John Lowe will ► LOCAL FARMER A PIONEER IN Rolen, a seven-time All- event, with a simulcast and broadcast nationally on receive the Baseball Writers’ BLUEBERRY INDUSTRY, page 4 Star who won eight Gold at Doubleday Field. Carl Sirius XM Radio. Association of America’s ► WORK UNDERWAY ON NEEDS Glove Awards for fielding at The Awards Presentation Career Excellence Award for ASSESSMENT, page 5 third base during a 17-season on Saturday, July 22 will last ► GREAT AMERICAN ROAD TRIP career in the major leagues, one hour, and the simulcast STOPS IN RICHFIELD, page 6 was elected to the National is free of charge and open Baseball Hall of Fame on to the public at Doubleday ► ENTREPRENEUER REAPS Tuesday, January 24 in Field. Later in the day, the REWARDS FOR WORK, page 6 balloting by the Baseball Hall of Famers and Award ► GALLERY OPENING NEXT Writers’ Association of winners will stage the Parade THURSDAY, page 7 America and verified by of Legends, in a ride down ► ONEONTAn CHOSEN IN mlb Ernst & Young. Main Street. DRAFT, page 9 Rolen, 47, batted .281 The complete schedule with 1,287 runs batted in, for Hall of Fame Weekend Follow Breaking News On 1,211 runs and an on-base includes: plus slugging percentage National Baseball Friday, July 21 OTSEGO.com of .854 combined with the Photo courtesyHallof oftheFame and Museum Photo courtesy of the Chicago Cubs Philadelphia Phillies, St. Carl Erskine will be honored Ozzie Smith’s “Turn Two” Pat Hughes will receive the Hall Louis Cardinals, Toronto with the Buck O’Neil Lifetime museum fundraiser will be of Fame’s Ford C. Frick Award Blue Jays and Cincinnati Achievement Award on Satur- held at 8 a.m. The annual for his contributions to baseball Reds. Numbered among his day, July 22. fundraiser for the museum’s broadcasting.
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meritorious contributions to baseball writing. The Hall of Fame Parade of Legends will begin at 6 p.m. along Main Street. Hall of Fame members will participate in the parade, which will originate on Lake Street and conclude at the front steps of the museum on Main Street. Sunday, July 23 The annual Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will begin at 1:30 p.m. on the grounds of the Clark Sports Center, located one mile south of the Hall of Fame. Baseball Writers’ Association of America electee Scott Rolen will be honored alongside Contemporary Baseball Player Era Committee electee Fred McGriff on stage in front of about four dozen returning Hall of Famers. Admission to the ceremony on the grounds of the sports center is free. Monday, July 24 Fred McGriff and Scott Rolen will be featured in a Legends of the Game Roundtable program, hosted by MLB Network’s Jon Morosi, at 10:30 a.m. at historic Doubleday Field as they reminisce about their careers and induction into the Hall of Fame. Tickets are currently available to participants in the Hall of Fame’s Membership Program at (607) 547-0397 and are $10.00 for adults, $5.00 for children. Join MLB Youth Ambassador Coach Ballgame for special “PLAY BALL” events on Friday, July 21 and Saturday, July 22 at Doubleday Field. Advance registration requested. For more information, visit baseballhall.org/events. Returning Players As of Tuesday, July 18, 52 Hall of Fame legends are expected to be on hand for the weekend festivities, including the members of the Class of 2023. They are: • Jeff Bagwell • Harold Baines • Johnny Bench • Craig Biggio • Bert Blyleven Continued on page 8
THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL & HOMETOWN ONEONTA, OTSEGO COUNTY’S LARGEST PRINT CIRCULATION 2010 WINNERS OF The Otsego County Chamber/KEY BANK SMALL BUSINESS AWARD
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