17 Millionth Fan

Enters Into Hall

Sergio Arias of Lompoc, Calif., smiles with surprise a few minutes ago as Hall of Fame Chairman Jane Forbes Clark advises him he is the 17 millionth fan to pass through the turnstile at 25 Main St. At right, Arias, wife Amber, and children Gabi, 11, Noah, 9, and Aubrey, 6 pose with Miss Clark for the official portrait. She then presented the honoree with a lifetime Hall of Fame membership and other gifts. Arias – he is a Yankee fan; his son a Dodger fan – is visiting Cooperstown for the first time.  The Hall has been open since 1939; lately, a million fans visit Baseball’s Mecca every three years.   (Jim Kevlin/AllOTSEGO.com)