Stars Shine at 10th Edition of Hall of Fame Classic Legends Game at Doubleday Field

Knucksies defeat Wizards 6-0 in Cooperstown

(COOPERSTOWN, NY) – The Hall of Fame Classic brought them to Cooperstown. Their love of the game brought out their best at Doubleday Field.

The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum hosted the 10th Hall of Fame Classic on Saturday, with the Knucksies defeating the Wizards 6-0 in front of 5,005 fans at Cooperstown’s historic ballpark. Hall of Fame legends Rollie Fingers, Goose Gossage, Eddie Murray, Gaylord Perry, Tim Raines and Ozzie Smith were joined by players representing all 30 MLB teams at the Classic, presented by Ford Motor Company and fueled by assistance from Major League Baseball.

“This is incredible… Goosebumps galore,” said Nick Punto, who played 14 big league seasons as an infielder and represented the Minnesota Twins at the Classic. “You feel the aura of baseball and why we love it, why we played it. This is just a magical place.”

Shane Victorino captured the Bob Feller Player of the Game Award with two hits, two RBI and a run scored for the Knucksies.

“This was fun. The most important part is being out here one last time and enjoying ourselves,” said Victorino, who last played in the big leagues in 2015 and represented the Phillies on Saturday. “It’s all about the game – the game that we love.”

With intermittent sun and clouds on a perfect 81-degree afternoon, the Knucksies took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first when Terrence Long singled home Victorino. Geoff Blum followed with another RBI single to give the Knucksies a 2-0 lead.

The Knucksies extended their lead in the second inning to 4-0 on a two-run single by Victorino that plated John McDonald and Clint Barmes. McDonald made it 5-0 in the fourth when he singled home Ryan Sweeney.

Sweeney’s sixth-inning sacrifice fly scored Larry Bigbie to make it 6-0 and wrap up the scoring. Steve Woodard got the win on the mound for the Knucksies, while Jeremy Guthrie took the loss.

The Hall of Fame Classic, presented by Ford Motor Company, featured Hall of Fame managers/coaches Rollie Fingers, Goose Gossage, Eddie Murray, Gaylord Perry, Tim Raines and Ozzie Smith along with players Clint Barmes (Rockies), Michael Barrett (Nationals), Larry Bigbie (Orioles), Geoff Blum (Astros), Tim Crabtree (Rangers), Jason Frasor (Blue Jays), Chris Gomez (Padres), Kevin Gross (Dodgers), Jeremy Guthrie (Royals), Kelly Johnson (Braves), Adam Kennedy (Angels), Sam LeCure (Reds), Terrence Long (Athletics), John McDonald (Indians), Craig Monroe (Tigers), Augie Ojeda (Diamondbacks), Juan Pierre (Marlins), A.J. Pierzynski (White Sox), Nick Punto (Twins), David Riske (Red Sox), Kerry Robinson (Cardinals), Ryan Rowland-Smith (Mariners), Nate Schierholtz (Giants), Luis Sojo (Yankees), Andy Sonnanstine (Rays), Ryan Sweeney (Cubs), Shane Victorino (Phillies), Jack Wilson (Pirates), Steve Woodard (Brewers) and Todd Zeile (Mets).

CLASSIC NOTEBOOK: A.J. Pierzynski won the Home Run Derby…Hall of Famer Rollie Fingers helped present the 2017 George W. Rulon American League Baseball Player of the Year award to Shane Spencer of American Legion Post 40 of Henderson, Nev.…Fingers accepted the 1964 American Legion Player of the Year Award 54 years ago on Doubleday Field…Two soldiers from nearby Fort Drum were honored during the game and also participated: PV2 Nathanael Brinkman and Specialist Jake Logan…The National Colors and the US Army Colors were presented by the Soldiers of the 10th Mountain Division Artillery, Fort Drum…The designated catchers and uniform support staff were Bill Berhle, Josh Goodbred, Max Keado and Casey Job of SUNY Adirondack…The ceremonial first pitch was delivered by Amy Scott of Schenectady, N.Y., who won a contest through Hall of Fame supporter Fox 23-TV in Albany, N.Y.…U.S. Marine Sergeant Lashawn Jasper performed The Star-Spangled Banner…Milleta Oldick of Richfield Springs, N.Y., performed God Bless America…Ball boys and ball girls from Cooperstown High School included Leslie Boyles, Logan Haney, Meagan Perrino, Margaret Schuermann and Nick Sharratt…The umpires for the game were: Jim Johnson (home plate), Jim Dutcher (first base), Lucas Wright (second base) and Peter DeMnitz (third base).

Hall of Fame Weekend 2018 will take place July 27-30 in Cooperstown, with the Induction Ceremony on Sunday, July 29. Vladimir Guerrero, Trevor Hoffman, Chipper Jones, Jack Morris, Jim Thome and Alan Trammell will be inducted as the Class of 2018 at Cooperstown’s Clark Sports Center. For more information on Hall of Fame Weekend, please visit baseballhall.org/hofw.