The Hall of Fame is a hard place to get to if you're a ballplayer, and almost as hard if you're a fan. Cooperstown isn't near anything, but the drive was beautiful. It rained all morning so by the time we arrived the town was clean and fresh, just for us.
The Hall of Fame is a magical place. Most people were wearing their home teams' shirt or hat (or both), and you got a feeling of awe and love for the game from everyone. There is an introduction video in a theatre that showed many of the classic moments in baseball history, like Bobby Thompson's homer and some World Series finishes. At the conclusion of the video the music to Take me out to the Ballgame started and this old volunteer couple came in and led everyone in singing. From there we went on the tour of the museum (2nd and 3rd floors).
Babe Ruth's $2,620 contract to play for the Red Sox:
The "Record Room". Jake and I are standing with the greatest Home Run hitter of all time. I had to correct a few people when they suggested that the record was somehow tainted. Idiots.
Jake with a uniform worn by Willie Mays.
At the end of the 2nd floor is a locker room with a stall stocked by each team. The uniform was worn by Tim Lincecum on his 18th win last season. The 2 helmets were worn by Bonds on #'s 755 and 756. The ball on the chair is the ball that broke the home run record. The jerk who donated it carved an asterisk into the front of the ball.
Lilly didn't make the first class, I guess...
Sophie and the Babe.
Cooperstown is on the short list of places to return to. The Hall was pure magic, and the town - which we didn't tour - was like something from a movie. All the little shops had names like "Triple Play Diner" or "Squeeze Play Collectibles"; even Louisville slugger had a store there. There were some beautiful old B&B's right downtown. I'd suggest 2 nights at least. 
The sun set on us as we arrived. Oh Canada!
Jake with a uniform worn by Willie Mays.
At the end of the 2nd floor is a locker room with a stall stocked by each team. The uniform was worn by Tim Lincecum on his 18th win last season. The 2 helmets were worn by Bonds on #'s 755 and 756. The ball on the chair is the ball that broke the home run record. The jerk who donated it carved an asterisk into the front of the ball.
Lilly didn't make the first class, I guess...
Sophie and the Babe.
Cooperstown is on the short list of places to return to. The Hall was pure magic, and the town - which we didn't tour - was like something from a movie. All the little shops had names like "Triple Play Diner" or "Squeeze Play Collectibles"; even Louisville slugger had a store there. There were some beautiful old B&B's right downtown. I'd suggest 2 nights at least.
But all good things must end, and we had places to go. So back into the car and up to the Great White North. We crossed into Canada through the Thousand Island area - again, as beautiful as you can imagine with little islands, bridges and wildlife. Another good place for a summer home! We landed in Kingston, ON, just east of where Joanna and I served as missionaries 16 years ago. Tomorrow we'll visit the sites where we lived.
The sun set on us as we arrived. Oh Canada!
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