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Posted By: Joe Drouillard

Hello Everyone,

I've been to Cooperstown on Hall of Fame weekend for the last five years. It's a great time. I doubt if it will be as busy as last year when Ripken went in, but the big crowds are all a part of the experience. I get a kick out of seeing the Hall-of-Famers in person, and just shopping for autographs in town. I'm very fortunate because my wife likes to go, too. The baseball card show is pretty small, but there are a few nice pre-war vintage vendors (Ted, of course, is at the head of the list) that I buy from every year. There is a lot of nice vintage material for sale in the shops in town, but bring a heavy wallet because if your used to shopping on eBay the prices are very high.

The highlight of the experience for me is the Induction ceremony and the Hall itself. My wife and I like to go to the Hall after the ceremony and watch as they fasten the new inductees plaque on the wall. Then, as the room empties, we just roam about the main hall and listen to all of the ghosts. My wife likes to hear the few stories that I know about the players' lives. We also go to the post office that stays open on Sunday and get a few items post marked on Induction Day. It's a crazy scene and a lot of fun.

If anyone knows of places that a visitor to the Cooperstown area should see, or unique places to eat, or shops where bargins on memorbilia might be found, please let me know.

Best wishes,

Joe