Advertisement. Advertise with us

That’s World Series MVP Jorge Soler’s game-used batting helmet in the hands of Hall of Fame VP Shestakofsky as young Albany-area baseball fans admire the Hall’s new collection of 2021 World Series artifacts on their way to Cooperstown for display. (Ted Potrikus/AllOtsego.com)

2021 World Series memorabilia displayed at Albany Airport, bound for HOF

By TED POTRIKUS • Special to www.AllOTSEGO.com

The plane from Houston, Texas touched down Wednesday afternoon at the Albany International Airport not 24 hours after the Atlanta Braves dispatched the Houston Astros in six games to win Major League Baseball’s 2021 World Series, and on that flight was an important duffel filled with artifacts destined for the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown.

An enthusiastic and knowledgeable gaggle of young baseball players from suburban Albany schools crowded around Hall of Fame Vice President for Communications and Education Jon Shestakofsky as he unpacked the precious parcel and displayed the items for the wide-eyed boys. He tried to quiz them, but, with every item he showed, at least one baseball fan was far ahead of him and knew every last detail of the Braves’ and Astros’ championship seasons.

“You’re answering all my questions before I can even ask them!” Mr. Shestakofsky laughed as the ballplayers lobbed questions, answers, and game-specific statistics back and forth with the Hall’s experts.

Those World Series mementos are on their way now to the Hall of Fame for display to the public, among them:

· Spikes worn by Braves Game Six starter Max Fried, who pitched six shutout innings to earn the win;

· Batting helmet worn by World Series MVP Jorge Soler;

· Glove used by National League Championship Series MVP Eddie Rosario;

· Ball thrown by Braves Game Three starter Ian Anderson – himself a native of New York’s Capital District – who did not allow a hit over his five-inning start;

· Spikes worn in Game Six by Braves reliever Will Smith, who did not allow a run in 11 postseason appearances;

· Cap worn in Game Six by Braves shortstop Dansby Swanson;

· Jersey worn in Game One and Game Two by Braves manager Brian Sniter;

· Cap worn by Astros manager Dusty Baker during the regular season; and

· Batting helmet worn by American League Championship Series MVP Yordan Alvarez during the postseason.

These and other pieces from the 2021 postseason will be featured in the Autumn Glory exhibit, on display through the 2022 postseason. The Hall will announce the opening of the 2021 postseason version of Autumn Glory in the coming weeks.

The Hall of Fame is open daily from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. For more information, visit www.baseballhall.org.

Posted

1 Comment

  1. Too bad most all of those little leaguers probably didn’t get to watch any of the playoffs or World Series games, way past their bedtimes! Most of us didn’t stay up to watch the whole games either! When is Major League Baseball going to realize the way to build fan base is by playing day games so kids can create some memories for themselves?

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

Related Articles

In Memoriam: A. George Eccleston, 71 August 28, 1951 – December 26, 2022

In MemoriamA. George Eccleston, 71August 28, 1951 - December 26, 2022 NEW BERLIN – A. George Eccleston, 71, of New Berlin, NY, passed away Monday December 26, 2022, in Cooperstown, NY, with his family by his side. George was born in Cortland, NY on August 28, 1951, the son of the late Clifford and Dora Watts Eccleston. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by two sisters Emily and Kathy and brother Ron.…

SCOLINOS: It’s All We Need To Know: Home Plate 17 Inches Wide

COLUMN VIEW FROM THE GAME It’s All We Need To Know: Home Plate 17 Inches Wide Editor’s Note:  Tim Mead, incoming Baseball Hall of Fame president, cited John Scolinos, baseball coach at his alma mater, Cal Poly Pomona, as a lifelong inspiration, particularly Scolinos’ famous speech “17 Inches.” Chris Sperry, who published sperrybaseballlife.com, heard Scolinos deliver a version in 1996 at the American Baseball Coaches Association in Nashville, and wrote this reminiscence in 1916 in his “Baseball Thoughts” column. By CHRIS SPERRY • from www.sperrybaseballlife.com In 1996, Coach Scolinos was 78 years old and five years retired from a college coaching…

Cooperstown Observed: Oh, for Art’s Sake!

In a village famous for its museums, the grande dame is Fenimore Art Museum, with its permanent collection, its visiting exhibitions, and its native-American splendors. The staircase leading to the lower galleries is a work of art in itself. Not to be overlooked, is the Community Gallery tucked away in a corner on the second floor. As its name implies, it displays works from local sources and is not to be missed.…