It's time for a new tradition in Cooperstown.
Done correctly, the 2009 National Baseball Hall of Fame Game could shape up to be a good one.
Yeah, yeah, I know: Major League Baseball pulled the plug on the annual event Tuesday, so after this year's meeting between the Chicago Cubs and the San Diego Padres, a tradition that started in 1940 will end.
Who needs 'em?
Where's the rule that says the Cooperstown-based shrine needs permission from someone to run a Hall of Fame Game? Last time I checked, the Hall was still an independent entity from MLB.
And truthfully, the Hall of Fame Game _ though a great economic boost for the area _ was becoming a bit boring with MLB teams anyway. The star players would participate for maybe an inning or two _ if at all _ then scoot out of Doubleday Field, sign a few autographs and shuttle over to the Clark Sports Center before leaving Cooperstown.
Also, the normally sold-out crowd usually dwindles to nearly nothing by the last inning. It's likely the only people who really love this game for the whole experience are the minor leaguers who are called up to play that day. At least they get to show off a little for some big-league executives.
If you're not a fan of the minor leagues, though, you'll never know if you're watching the next Steve Carlton (who pitched a complete game in the 1966 Fame Game for the Cardinals) or Scott Bullett (who hit two homers in the 1995 game to lead the Cubs past Detroit).
So, for as much fun as it can be for kids to get a chance to see a Ken Griffey Jr., a Chipper Jones or an Alex Rodriguez, it's more likely that players such as Mick Billmeyer, Radhames Dykhoft and Jason Grabowski did the grunt work.
Unfortunately, that's what the Hall of Fame Game has become.
The timing is perfect for the Hall to leap forward, keep the Fame Game and do something that fans can really get into.
"We've been talking about being creative and bringing other things to town," Hall of Fame President Dale Petroskey said Tuesday, adding that he still wants some sort of live baseball to continue as much as possible.
Paging Mr. Hall of Fame Ozzie Smith.
Ozzie's Turn Two program during Hall of Fame Weekend has become an amazing success. Seeing the Wizard of Oz flipping all over the field again would be pretty wild, don't you think?
How about an Old Timers' Game?
The Hall runs a very successful Fantasy Camp each fall. Several Hall of Famers (including Smith and Phil Niekro) and former major leaguers attend each year.
There's no reason the annual Hall of Fame Game couldn't, instead, be a gathering for former players to mingle with the crowd and have a good time. If I was a betting man, I'd think people would shell out the money for tickets just as easily to see Ryne Sandberg, George Brett, Mike Schmidt and Smith as they do for their modern-day favorites.
It doesn't have to be an all-out affair_ not that the current format is by any stretch _ it just has to be fun.
Put a microphone on Ozzie or Brett and have them talking to players or to the crowd. Have another Hall of Famer _ say a Robin Roberts _ conducting live interviews in the dugout or even with the fans to keep everyone involved.
"We've talked about the possibility (of an Old Timers' Game)," Petroskey said. "We'll continue to talk."
Former Oneonta Tigers manager Tom Brookens, who played in 12 major league seasons, participates in Detroit's annual fantasy camp in Florida. He said Tuesday he thought an Old Timers' Game would fare well in Cooperstown.
Brookens played in the 1984 Fame Game, but he said most players would rather have the day off because of the season is such a grind. An Old Timers' Game would solve that problem, and it would still keep fans pouring into Cooperstown. And why not put the Fame Game back where it belongs, as part of Induction Weekend?
Brookens said he thought the Hall could build off its already successful fantasy camp, as well as other events.
"I think most former players are receptive to these legends games and fantasy camps," Brookens said. "What they are already doing there could grow a lot bigger."
Part of the Hall's mission is to connect generations, honor excellence and preserve history.
There's never been a better chance like the present.
P.J. Harmer covers baseball for The Daily Star. E-mail him at pharmer@thedailystar.com.
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