The Buck Doesn't Stop Here

Yesterday (7/28/02) was the date for the annual Hall of Fame Weekend SABR meeting in Cooperstown. Last year, the regional chapter I belong to (Leatherstocking/Cooperstown) officially took over the meeting that once was hosted by other chapters and sometimes SABR national staff from Cleveland. It was only natural that we do so once our chapter was formed. After all, SABR was formed in the '70s at the HOF in Cooperstown and one of the founders of SABR, Cliff Kachline, is a member of our chapter. We even have had regional meetings in the same room in which SABR was founded. This year, I bypassed the hustle of Induction Day and planned to arrive in Cooperstown about 5:30 PM for a 7:00 PM meeting start time.

Last year, it was rumored that Buck O'Neill might show up during the meeting, but that didn't materialize. This year, Gene, one of our members, attended the SABR Negro Leagues Committee Convention in Memphis. He spoke to Buck who assured him this time he would attend. Buck loves people and talking baseball and can't refuse an autograph request. Knowing this tidbit, I frantically looked through all my memorabilia hoping to find something for him to sign. Finding nothing directly related to Buck, I was going to have to be satisfied with a special HOF section that appeared in my local paper this weekend. I would have Buck sign the area that talked about the Black Baseball exhibit.

As planned, I arrived in Cooperstown at 5:30 PM. There is no parking on Main Street during HOF Weekend and the chance of finding something on a side street is no better (and I have a handicapped parking permit). I drove around awhile, noticing the crowds gathered in front of many of the businesses, many of which had hired former players to camp outside their shops to sign autographs. I wasn't surprised at the numbers of people, in spite of the fact that the Induction Ceremonies were completed; that there was only one inductee this year; or that it was already early evening. Baseball, the game, as well as Cooperstown, its mythical birthplace, continue to hold the American public in its grip, despite the suicidal tendencies on the part of Major League Baseball.

I decided to go directly to Tillapaugh's Funeral Home (that's where we meet - hey, it's air conditioned and there are free refreshments), where Scott and John, two other chapter members, were standing outside. Luckily, there was a parking spot available in Tillapaugh's parking lot (the funeral home charges $15/car for all day parking, but I wouldn't have to pay this late in the day). I pulled in along side a van (actually came pretty close to hitting it) with license plates that read "MRBALLPARK".

Anyway, at the same time, a woman was trying to maneuver her car out a tight parking space three cars down from where I parked. The three of us stood there shaking our heads because she was turning her wheels the wrong way. There was a fellow standing on the opposite side of the car from where we were, directing her to continue back, telling her she had more room yet (boy, that voice sounded so familiar). We could see that she didn't, her left rear tire had already hit the step leading into the side entrance of the funeral home. But he didn't see that from his side, so we yelled out to him, "No she can't", implying there must be something wrong with his vision. She finally was able to straighten out and as the fellow got into the car with her, Scott said "Don't you two recognize that guy? That's Tom Seaver." And he was right, it was! We had just concluded that a Hall of Fame pitcher couldn't see.

Well, the meeting wouldn't start for another hour or so and Tillapaugh's was still locked. We decided to take a walk up the street to the Hall of Fame. Being a Friend of The Hall has its advantages. For instance, on HOF weekend there is a special side entrance to avoid the crowds. And since we get free admission, the rest rooms are available for use when needed. AND WE NEEDED. So today we actually went the HOF because nature called! By the time we walked back to Tillapaugh's, the doors were open and other SABR members began to arrive. Refreshments were set up and we mingled. At 7:00 PM, we sat and the meeting began. There were about 50 SABR members in attendance from many locations, including Canada, but most were from NY, Mass, and PA.

The first speaker was Mike Trabert, aka MR. BALLPARK (remember the car I almost hit in the parking lot?) His presentation was on the many ballparks he and his family have visited. The only criterion is that it has to be to attend a regular season major league game. He has visited 49 (including Puerto Rico, Mexico, and Japan); his wife has visited 29, and his 14-year-old son has already visited 27! He tossed bags of peanuts and Cracker Jack to us and also to those who correctly answered some trivia questions. For example, when he came to a photo of Monument Park in Yankee Stadium, he asked the Yankee fan wearing the pinstripe visor (me!), "Why are there two #8 on the wall?" "Dickey and Berra" I proudly responded as he tossed a bag of Cracker Jack my way. Of course I dropped it, resulting in some "Error" calls (OK, E-2).

The next speaker was Rich Cohen, who provided some info on Hooks Wiltse, the only major leaguer from Hamilton, NY, Rich's hometown. Comparisons of career stats with HOF pitchers made for interesting discussion; also the fact that Wiltse claims to be the first base coach during the Merkle Blunder of 1908. (guess I have to ask my buddy Christy Mathewson about that one). Also, the story goes that as a Yankee coach in 1925, it was he who suggested that Lou Gehrig was ready to replace Pipp.

The final speaker was Gabriel Schechter, who has written a book on beating unhittable pitchers. His book cites examples of 25 pitchers who were on winning streaks or had awesome years, providing details of the game(s) they lost during those spectacular seasons. Gabe's ability to share with us minute details about the games without any notes was truly remarkable.

Since there were several staff members of the HOF, we opened the floor to questions:

1) Q. What if there are no Inductions in a particular year? A. There will still be a HOF Weekend for fans.

2) Q. Why is it said that JG Taylor Spink and Ford Frick winners have been inducted into the HOF and are HOF members? A. That is the media, not the HOF staff that says that. It is easier for them to simply say they are inducted and members of the HOF.

Actually, there was some pretty heated discussion over this until a sensible solution was suggested (by me!); "Why not refer to them as 'Hall of Fame Award Recipients?'" There was silence for a moment as that earth shattering suggestion sank in and suddenly everyone began to nod their head in agreement and you could almost see the expression on their faces, "DUH, why didn't we think of that?" So if you begin to hear that reference used for those recipients in the future, you'll know where it came from!

By the way, Buck never did make it to the meeting - probably got caught up talking baseball and signing autographs. He can't refuse, you know.