Ground Zero for Baseball Magic and Generational Connections

Driving up through heavenly perfect tiny towns decorated with windblown USA flags and vegetable stands you quickly realize that you are heading to a special place. Being a part of Induction weekend at Cooperstown’s National Baseball Hall of Fame was ground zero for the magic. I have talked before about the unique generational connection that baseball and music provide for fans (read here), but this pilgrimage to the baseball holy land was more than I could ever have expected.

As a soundtrack for the 3+ hour journey from NYC, I suggested my guests “get in the mood” and listen to the collection of great baseball songs available on my new Baseball DJ Spotify playlist. It worked. The quirky baseball songs of Chuck Brodsky, Steve Goodman, Todd Snider and Chuck Prophet set the stage for my pals. Much to my delight, one of the guests (who was celebrating his birthday with us) immediately asked me if Brodsky’s “Bonehead Merkle” was based on a real event. (FYI… it is.) Baseball celebrates the not so well know players, just as much as the game’s greatest.

Another friend, who donned a vintage Orleans Cardinals shirt from the Cape Cod Baseball league, compared the experience to see Dead & Co at the Las Vegas Sphere… except this baseball immersive trip was real!

Sitting among the family and of the new HoF members in Section 2 provided our gang a special environment to take in the speeches.

A huge kudos to Josh Rawitch and the Hall of Fame team for putting together such a spectacular program. It is not easy to host five speeches lasting over three hours and keep the audience’s attention for every word. Having closer Billy Wagner who never started a single game in his career kick things off was phun.

Since spending time with Chuck Brodsky, who penned the fabulous tribute song “Letters in the Dirt” for Dick Allen, I have special place in my heart for him. Mrs. Allen’s speech on behalf of her late husband was touching.

Chuck was invited to play his song for the Philly faithful at the celebration. Check out his post here…

Although the Sunday speeches are the centerpiece of the weekend celebration, my favorite part of the journey was having a front seat to the parade of heroes on Saturday. I put together a highlight reel of the weekend for you to enjoy…