Published: March 26, 2008 10:29 pm         

Acting president Idelson has lifelong baseball ties

By Rob Centorani

Staff Writer

Jeff Idelson joked Wednesday that despite his new job title, he’s never taken an acting class.

Idelson, 43, became the acting president of the National Baseball Hall of Fame on Tuesday, when the Cooperstown shrine announced the resignation of Dale Petroskey. The Hall’s Executive Committee released a statement Tuesday saying that Petroskey’s departure after almost nine years as its president was the “result of our finding that Dale Petroskey failed to exercise proper fiduciary responsibility and it follows other business judgments that were not in the best interest of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum.”

“Absolutely, it was surprising,” Idelson said Wednesday, his first full day in his interim position. “By the same token, the responsibility I have is to continue to move the institution forward.”

Based on his resume, Idelson should have little trouble adjusting.

His ties to baseball began as a 5-year-old, when Idelson attended his first big-league game in 1969. Idelson said he became a Brooks Robinson fan during that game, which featured the future Hall of Famer’s Baltimore Orioles against the host Boston Red Sox.

A native of West Newton, Mass., Idelson sold popcorn and hot dogs at Fenway Park for five seasons during his teen years. Eleven days after graduating from Connecticut College on May 25, 1986, Idelson started working for the Red Sox in their media relations department. Idelson, who earned his degree in international economics, stayed with Boston until 1988.

In 1989, he began a four-year stint as the New York Yankees’ director of media relations and publicity.

His career at the Baseball Hall started in 1994 as its director of public relations and promotions. Five years later, he moved into the position of vice president of communications and education, which he held until Tuesday afternoon.

“I’ve been in baseball for 22 years. It’s been the only sport I’ve worked in other than a short stint with soccer,” Idelson said of his position as assistant vice president and senior press officer for World Cup USA in 1994. “It’s the only industry I’ve known. I’ve been at the Hall of Fame for 14 years, so I know the ins and outs of the museum.”

Idelson, who became the Hall’s sixth president Tuesday, said he benefited from his time under Petroskey.

“Every job I’ve had I’ve learned from people I’ve worked with and this is no different,” said Idelson, who is married with two children. “I’ve learned from Dale as well as everyone else on the staff.”

Idelson said his duties will include supporting the Hall’s large staff, representing the institution at major events, ensuring that visitors have a worthwhile experience and finding ways to increase attendance at the Hall.

“There’s much more that goes into it,” he said, “but those are the pressing needs right now.”

For the past six years, Hall director of communications Brad Horn said he’s worked closely with Idelson.

“Jeff has a very unique, almost priceless ability to connect with people on every level,” Horn said. “It doesn’t matter if it’s a clubhouse assistant, public relations people, team presidents or general managers.

“His passion for the game is clearly evident,” he continued. “His knowledge of the game is supreme and he makes genuine connections with people all throughout the game.”

Said Oneonta Tigers owner Sam Nader: “I like the appointment. He’s a very high quality guy, very competent and loves the minor leagues. He comes to our games and we go back a long time.”

Idelson said he’s taking over for an institution that is “in great shape financially and programmatically. We’re doing a lot of great things and it’s my job to continue those great things and grow it.”

How long Idelson will act as the Hall’s president is anyone’s guess. Chairwoman Jane Forbes Clark did not return a phone message Wednesday seeking comment on the Hall’s plans to find a permanent replacement for Petroskey.

“I care so deeply about this place,” said Idelson, who continues to serve the Hall as its vice president of communications and education despite his new appointment. “My goal is to serve the institution however the board feels fit or sees it. Right now, they’ve asked me to step in and act while they conduct a national search. I’m very comfortable doing that. I’ve said from the beginning that success is based on the collective whole of an institution and I’m thrilled to serve in any capacity.”

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Rob Centorani can be reached at rcentorani@thedailystar.com or 607-432-1000, ext. 209.