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

(COOPERSTOWN, NY) – When Ozzie Smith was inducted into the Hall of Fame 21 years ago, he made a commitment to the Museum and its educational mission.

Two decades later, Smith remains as dedicated as ever – and continues to host one of the Hall of Fame’s signature annual events.

For the 20th year, Smith – the 13-time Gold Glove Award-winning shortstop – hosted his Turn Two event as Hall of Fame Weekend got underway on Friday in Cooperstown. Smith and his Hall of Fame friends Eddie Murray, Larry Walker and Dave Winfield shared stories with Museum supporters – and even turned some double plays on the historic Doubleday Field infield – in this annual fundraiser that helps support the Museum’s education efforts. 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 a great experience, being able to interact with the fans,” said Smith, who serves as the Museum’s Education Ambassador. “And I think the guys that come out here really enjoy it.”

Thirty Museum supporters participated in Turn Two on Friday, raising more than $22,000 for the Museum. Since founding Turn Two more than 20 years ago, Smith has helped generate more than $250,000 in support of the Hall of Fame.

Hall of Fame Weekend 2023 runs through Monday in Cooperstown. The Class of 2023, featuring Fred McGriff and Scott Rolen, will be inducted at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, July 23, at the Clark Sports Center in Cooperstown. Admission to the Induction Ceremony is free.

The 2023 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 as a private event at 3 p.m. on Saturday, July 22, with a live simulcast on the big screen at Cooperstown’s Doubleday Field. John Lowe will receive the Baseball Writers’ Association of America’s Career Excellence Award, Pat Hughes will receive the Hall of Fame’s Ford C. Frick Award for broadcasting excellence and Carl Erskine will be honored with the Buck O’Neil Lifetime Achievement Award.

Also on Saturday, July 22, 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 22: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.; Sunday, July 23: 9 a.m. - 9 p.m.; and Monday, July 24: 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.