Hall of Fame Classic has produced countless memorable moments

Written by: Craig Muder

Four years ago, Jim Thome stood on the mound at Doubleday Field before the Hall of Fame Classic, nearly bursting with pride.

His son, Landon, then age 6, walked out onto the field and presented Hall of Fame Chairman of the Board Jane Forbes Clark with the baseball Thome hit for his 600th home run.

It marked the second time Thome gave the Museum a milestone baseball – and the second time he experienced the moment with his family. In 2008, Thome and his father, Chuck, came to the Museum to deliver his 500th home run ball.

Now, Thome himself is a Hall of Famer. And those moments mean even more.

“As special as the 500th home run ball was with dad, bringing my son Landon here and donating that (the 600th home run ball), I’ll never forget that moment either,” Thome said. “To have your son walk out and deliver the ball to the Hall of Fame is so, so great.”

Hall of Fame Membership

There is no simpler, and more essential, way to demonstrate your support than to sign on as a Museum Member.

Those moments are what make the annual Hall of Fame Classic one of the must-see events on the baseball calendar. This year’s legends game – the 10th edition of the event – will be held Saturday, May 26 at Doubleday Field.

Nine weeks later, Thome will be inducted into the Hall of Fame.

“They should be here,” said Thome of artifacts representing his career. “I would much rather have them here so fans can see them.”

The traditional Hall of Fame Classic Home Run Derby will begin at noon on May 26 at Doubleday Field as a lead-in to the Hall of Fame Classic, a seven-inning legends game at Cooperstown’s historic Doubleday Field featuring six Hall of Famers and recently retired players representing all 30 major league teams. The 2018 Hall of Fame Classic, presented by Ford Motor Company and fueled with assistance from Major League Baseball, highlights a weekend of family entertainment programs designed to celebrate the timeless connection of baseball across generations.

Tickets are required for the Hall of Fame Classic game and are on sale now at 1-877-726-9028 or here. Game tickets are $12.50 for first and third base seats and $11 for general admission outfield seats.

Hall of Famers Phil Niekro and Ozzie Smith will reprise their role as team managers for the Classic, with fellow Hall of Famers Rollie Fingers, Goose Gossage, Randy Johnson and Tim Raines joining as coaches. The complete roster of players can be found here www.baseballhall.org/hofclassic.

Following the Classic, the Hall of Fame will reprise its Night at the Museum program, now in its sixth season. Hall of Fame legends and former players will greet fans throughout the Museum on Saturday, May 26 beginning at 6 p.m. Legends participants will be stationed throughout the Museum during the course of a two-hour event that will bring the Museum to life with special programs and interactions.

While the Night at the Museum program is not an autograph session, fans should remember to bring their camera to capture their special family memories. This event is SOLD OUT.

As part of Classic Weekend, Hall of Fame members will lead an exclusive golf outing, with a limited number of spots available for golfers, at the beautiful Leatherstocking Golf Course on Otsego Lake. For more information on supporting the Hall of Fame through this exclusive golf outing, please call 607-547-0310.


Craig Muder is the director of communications for the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum

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Hall of Fame’s BASE Race Takes Runners on Journey through Historic Cooperstown on Saturday

The Hall of Fame, along with Cooperstown’s Clark Sports Center, will present the sixth annual BASE Race charity runs this weekend.

Turn Two

Support the Hall's Education programs by joining Ozzie Smith during this annual event.