Hall of Famers Turn Two in Cooperstown in Support of Museum’s Educational Mission

(COOPERSTOWN, NY) – Almost three decades after he played his final game for the St. Louis Cardinals, Ozzie Smith is still the best at what he does.

Smith ushered in Hall of Fame Weekend 2024 on Friday by hosting Turn Two at Cooperstown’s historic Doubleday Field. The 13-time Gold Glove Award-winning shortstop brought his Hall of Fame friends Jim Kaat, Fred McGriff and Scott Rolen to the event, which is a fundraiser that supports the Museum’s education programs.

Twenty-eight Museum supporters participated in Turn Two, which has raised more than $275,000 in its 21 years. In addition to supporting the Hall of Fame’s educational initiatives, Turn Two also raises funds for diversity scholarships for the Hall of Fame’s Frank and Peggy Steele Internship Program for Youth Leadership Development.

“It’s so great to come back and mingle with the fans while being able to give back and support the Museum and the internship program,” Smith, who serves as the Museum’s Education Ambassador, told media at Friday’s event. “I always tried to give back when I was a player, and now as a Hall of Famer it’s a chance to give back on an even bigger level. It’s a privilege to be able to host Turn Two in Cooperstown every year.”

The Hall of Famers shared stories and playing secrets with the Turn Two participants on the Doubleday Field infield during a perfect summer morning in Cooperstown as the annual opening event of Hall of Fame Weekend.

Hall of Fame Weekend 2024 runs through Monday in Cooperstown. The Class of 2024, featuring Adrian Beltré, Todd Helton, Jim Leyland and Joe Mauer, will be inducted at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, July 21, at the Clark Sports Center in Cooperstown. Admission to the Induction Ceremony is free.

The 2024 Induction Ceremony will be televised live exclusively on MLB Network. The Induction Ceremony will also be available via a webcast at mlb.com.

The Hall of Fame Awards Presentation will be held at 3 p.m. on Saturday, July 20, at Cooperstown’s Alice Busch Opera Theater. Joe Castiglione will receive the Hall of Fame’s Ford C. Frick Award for broadcasting excellence and the late Gerry Fraley will be honored with the Baseball Writers’ Association of America Career Excellence Award.

Also on Saturday, July 20, the Hall of Fame Parade of Legends returns to provide fans with more thrills. Hall of Famers will ride down Main Street in trucks en route to a private reception at the Museum during the 6 p.m. event.

The Museum maintains the following Hall of Fame Weekend hours: Saturday, July 20: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.; Sunday, July 21: 9 a.m. - 9 p.m.; and Monday, July 22: 9 a.m. - 7 p.m. For Hall of Fame Members, doors open at 8 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday. As always, Hall of Fame Members receive free admission. Interested parties may enroll in the Membership Program in advance at baseballhall.org/join or at the Museum.

For a Hall of Fame Weekend visitors guide, please click here.

Follow all the action during Hall of Fame Weekend with the #HOFWKND hashtag on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok.