His Fans On Twitter

Praise Jeff Idelson,

Mourn Retirement

Editor’s Note: Twitter lit up overnight with praise for Jeff Idelson, who annouced Monday, Feb. 4, that he is retiring as Baseball Hall of Fame president. Here is a sampling.

Bob Nightengale:
Jeff Idelson has been the heart and soul of Baseball’s Hall of Fame Museum for 25 years, and @HallofFamePrez will be greatly missed in Cooperstown. Idelson said that he’ll officially step down after the Hall of Fame ceremony on July 21
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Marathoner: One of my favorite stories shared
by @HallofFamePrez Jeff Idelson in my #Yankee Legends book was how, as a #Yankees staffer in 1989, he tried to help Don Mattingly calm his back problems with a futon on the road. Ironically, that back would keep Donnie from the Hall.

Cc @Jon HeymanQuote:
“He was having such back problems by the time I got there in eighty-nine,” Idelson said. “I was a little younger, I asked him ‘Have you ever slept on a futon?’ He had no idea what a futon was. So I explained it to him, and he said, ‘That sounds cool.’ I bought him a futon, and when we traveled,
that is what he slept on while on the road the whole eighty-nine season… and he hit .303.
“You think about how bad the hotels were back then, you’d go to the Sheraton in Texas, you know. I had slept on futons in college because they’re very firm. I bought a small single. The equipment guy (Nick Priore) hated me, putting them on planes. No frame. I got bungee cords for him, I said, ‘Try it.’ He loved it.”
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Jayson Stark:
For 25 years, Jeff Idelson has been the Hall of Fame’s guiding
force and inspiring leader. @HallofFame Prez will be harder to replace than Adrian Beltre, Joe Mauer & Chase Utley combined!
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Jose de Jesus Ortiz:Jeff Idelson is a true gentleman and great at his job. He’s had an amazing run at the Hall and in professional sports. The former Yankees PR guy also worked PR during the 1994 World Cup.
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DigitalSportsDesk:
Here’s to West Newton native Jeff Idelson –  a good one!
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Tom Davis: This succession decision may be more important than any writers’ vote for inductees. @baseballhall is ankles, knees, waist, head and shoulders above any other sport’s HOF in its influence and quality. The next Jeff Idelson (if he/she exists) has to sustain that.
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Scott Miller: The @baseballhall announces president Jeff Idelson @HallofFamePrez will retire after July @HOF induction. Absolutely enormous shoes to fill. Jane Forbes Clark says “I am heartbroken for the Museum and its staff but thrilled for Jeff.” Jeff is 1 of finest people in the game