Recorded Media Collection

The Recorded Media Collection contains approximately 14,000 hours of moving images and sound recordings in a wide variety of formats that date from a 1908 Edison Cylinder recording of Take Me Out To The Ball Game.  The archive includes 78rpm radio discs, phonograph records, 8mm home movies, reel-to-reel tapes, films, videotapes, along with compact and digital video discs.  Recorded on these diverse media are interviews and oral histories; radio and television broadcasts; play-by-play and other commentary; feature, documentary and animated films; popular songs and other music; and Hall of Fame events. 

Researchers may gain access to this archive during a research visit to the Giamatti Research Center.  Requests should be filed in advance of your visit, preferably when making a research appointment.  Two weeks advance notice is preferred, and initial inquiries may be directed to: 

For researchers unable to visit the Giamatti Research Center, inquiries regarding rights and reproductions issues may be directed to Jim Gates, Library Director: 

Portions of the Recorded Media Collection are available for use in film, television and radio productions.  Fees will vary greatly, depending on source and usage.  Please contact the staff for rates and restrictions.  The National Baseball Hall of Fame will make every effort to protect all intellectual property rights, and copying of material from this archive may be highly restricted. 

The collections of the Recorded Media Archive include: 

Interviews and Oral Histories

An outstanding collection of interviews of players and officials by sports writers, broadcasters and historians.  Many of these recordings are stand-alone interviews, while several organized collections also exist.  One example is the Fay Vincent Collection, featuring video recordings of notable players, managers and executives. 

Game Broadcasts

A wide variety of World Series and All-Star Game radio and television broadcasts from the 1930s. 

Documentary Productions

Films and videos that highlight teams, cities, players and leagues. Collectively they place baseball into a wider historical context. 

Music

Hundreds of baseball songs are housed in the archive, including .45rpm and LP records, reel-to-reel tapes, and over 800 pieces of sheet music dating from the 1860s. 

Hall of Fame Induction

Sound recordings, films, and broadcast videos featuring induction speeches and footage of the festivities that surround this annual event. 

Donation of collections and individual items to the library are encouraged, and a Library Acquisitions Committee meets frequently to assess proposals.  Inquires regarding the donation of library related material may be directed to the Giamatti Research Center using the contact information provided above.