OT: Baseball Hall of Fame Suffers Losses but Says Finances Improving

[Tabe]

Originally Posted by Keith H. Thompson

My son drove up for a two day visit last week with Poppy and Sami (12 years old) and son Thaddeus (7 years old). All three play the game at various levels and were absolutely fascinated by the wealth of memorabilia on display. An additional incentive for them, of course, was to see the gold lined, solid silver cup won by Sam Thompson in a popularity contest in 1895 that I donated to the Hall in 1974. It is a beautiful thing, and the Hall has always displayed it prominently. I grew up with it. My mother kept it on her sewing machine with her sewing materials and Sam's Dauvray Cup Medal.

And as to who is in and who is not, every player's career is a matter of public record that should speak for itself, not the occasion of induction into some institution with some very bad flaws.

That's gotta be a thrill to see an item you donated on display. I'm guessing, based on the names, that Sam is a relative? So very cool.

[Keith H. Thompson]

Originally Posted by Tabe

That's gotta be a thrill to see an item you donated on display. I'm guessing, based on the names, that Sam is a relative? So very cool.

here goes. Yes, Samuel Luther Thompson (Detroit 1885-1888, Philadelphia 1889-1898, Detroit 1906, HOF 1974) was a brother of my grandfather. Sam and Ida had no children, so nieces and nephews were invited to Cooperstown in 1974 for his induction. My sons were 8 and 10 years old. We had special passes, and because I think they were mistaken for Mantle's young boys at times they had many opportunities to mingle with the players. For example: One afternoon my boys were lingering around a small out building where about a dozen old black players were holding a luncheon. Satchel Paige noticed them, put a long hand on each boys shoulder, took them inside and introduced them individually to each player. For myself, one noon I had luncheon and was seated next to Clair Ruth and Eleanor Gehrig.

to answer your question again, yes I, my father, Sam, his five brothers and three sisters all were born in Danville, Indiana. My father knew Sam, of course, and once told me: "we always welcomed Sam's visits, but he never would play catch with us."

[Fred]

Tradition of location is not helping the BB HOF. Look at the distance from Cooperstown to any major airport. Yeah, I get it, that's where the location is, but that requires a bit of planning to go there. If it was closer to a metro center, then there'd be a much greater chance of higher attendance.

The HOF is getting up there in age. We can only hope the facility can stand another century or perhaps begin looking towards planning a new facility (maybe somewhere that isn't Cooperstown). If the HOF trust listened to someone from corporate America, it'd probably move somewhere else. Well, that also assumes people are going to care about baseball in the next hundred years.

[phlflyer1]

Was just at the HOF a couple of weeks ago and had an enjoyable trip although it is out of the way.

The drive from South Jersey was nice. Got to see what remained of the fall foliage on the way up and the place was practically empty so it was a great time to visit.

One of the highlights was definitely the selection of baseball cards on display from the 1870s up to the present. They have a nice group of examples from most all of the major sets on display.

[toppcat]

Originally Posted by phlflyer1

Was just at the HOF a couple of weeks ago and had an enjoyable trip although it is out of the way.

The drive from South Jersey was nice. Got to see what remained of the fall foliage on the way up and the place was practically empty so it was a great time to visit.

One of the highlights was definitely the selection of baseball cards on display from the 1870s up to the present. They have a nice group of examples from most all of the major sets on display.

I wish the Met in NYC would employ those pull out vertical drawers for the Burdick Collection. I've encountered them at various museums and they are a nice way to make sure items are secure but available for viewing.