Hall of Fame Welcomes 17 Millionth Visitor

2018-07-13

35-year-old Sergio Arias from Lompoc, Calif., Was First-Time Cooperstown Visitor

(COOPERSTOWN, NY) – Sergio Arias wanted to share his love of baseball with his family on Friday at the Hall of Fame.

Now, after becoming the 17 millionth fan to walk through the doors of the Museum, Arias will have a lifetime of memories to relive.

Arias, a 35-year-old New York Yankees fan from Lompoc, Calif., became the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum’s 17 millionth visitor when he entered the doors with his wife Amber; daughters Gabi and Aubrey; and son Noah. It was Arias’ first time visiting the Hall of Fame.

“We were visiting family in the Utica (N.Y.) area, and I knew coming here was a must,” Arias said. “I talked to my son about how baseball is such a historic game. Now we get to see it here.”

Arias was greeted by National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum Chairman of the Board Jane Forbes Clark, who presented him with Lifetime Membership to the Museum and a $250 Museum Store gift certificate. A Lifetime Membership features the benefits of an Individual Membership – including free Museum admission – for the holder’s entire life. More information on Lifetime Memberships can be found at baseballhall.org/join.

Sporting a Yankees cap, Arias was overwhelmed by the surprise when he was informed he was the milestone visitor.

Sergio Armas, the seventeeth million visitor to the Hall of Fame, poses for a photo with his family and Hall of Fame Chairman of the Board, Jane Forbes Clark. (Milo Stewart Jr./National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum)

Sergio Arias from Lompoc, Calif., became the seventeen millionth visitor in Hall of Fame history on July 13, 2018. Arias, who was presented with a Lifetime Hall of Fame Membership, is pictured above with Hall of Fame Chairman of the Board, Jane Forbes Clark. (Milo Stewart Jr./National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum)

“This is amazing. I’m excited and honored,” Arias said. “I’ve been playing baseball since I was three or four years old, and I love the game. This is awesome to happen my first time here.”

The complete list of millionth visitors includes:

MILLIONTH VISITORS

One millionth: 06/29/56, John H. Morrissey, Bronxville, NY/em>
Two millionth: 06/15/63, Robert Wilson, Schenectady, NY
Three millionth: 06/28/69, Arthur Greenwood, Chelmsford, MA
Four millionth: 08/20/73, Robert Buraczewski, Dickson City, PA
Five millionth: 10/21/77, Elaine Parachini, Silver Spring, MD
Six millionth: 09/18/82, Ann Hall, Wallingford, CT
Seven millionth: 07/08/87, John Rourke, Gloversville, NY
Eight millionth: 06/22/90, Alan Agins, Westerly, RI
Nine millionth: 10/09/92, Dave Halsey, II, Mattydale, NY
Ten millionth: 08/09/95, Brett Hornby, Glen Ridge, NJ
Eleven millionth: 10/05/98, James Mitchell, Ellenwood, GA
Twelve millionth: 08/14/01, Bobby Duley, Cape Elizabeth, MA
Thirteen millionth: 08/17/04, Gail Millar, Silver Spring, MD
Fourteen millionth: 08/17/07, Lauren Kohout, Gloucester Township, NJ
Fifteen millionth: 05/13/11, Ken Gallinger, Ormstown, Quebec, Canada
Sixteen millionth: 09/02/14, George Christopher, Hazlet, N.J.
Seventeen millionth: 07/13/18, Sergio Arias, Lompoc, Calif.