Advertisement. Advertise with us

Idelson aims for smooth Hall transition, induction

By GREG KLEIN • Special to www.AllOTSEGO.com

The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum will have an encore from its former leader, as Jeff Idelson returned May 15, as interim president.

Idelson, who left the Hall in 2019, after 25 years, including more than 12 as president, replaced Tim Mead, his hand-picked successor. Mead left mid-May, saying the isolation from his family in Southern California during the coronavirus pandemic made him unable to stay at the Hall.

Interim National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum President Jeff Idelson, right, with his predecessor and successor, Tim Mead, in this 2019 photo.

Idelson said in an interview Monday, May 24, that he was called by Hall of Fame Chair Jane Forbes Clark following Mead’s resignation. Clark asked Idelson to be a steward for the Hall and guide it through the induction season while it looked for a full-time leader.

“I care deeply for the Hall of Fame and the institution it represents,” Idelson said, “so when I got the call from Jane, I felt honored to be able to come back and bridge the gap to the next president and provide a smooth transition through the induction.”

Idelson said he felt for Mead, who was far from his family and burdened with an unusual string of Hall of Famer deaths to mourn during his two-year tenure as president.

“I certainly understand his reasons for going back to Southern California,” Idelson said.

“Heaven has gotten an all Hall of Fame lineup, with a full rotation, the past year,” he continued.

Idelson said he is not involved with the search to replace Mead, but since he began May 15, he has been immersed in operations.

Idelson said his strength is his familiarity with the staff.

“The Hall of Fame is a well-oiled machine because of its dedicated, compassionate staff and Jane Clark as chairman at the helm,” he said.

Idelson said he thought the Hall weathered the coronavirus pandemic fairly well, and has seen a small rebound in visitors this season.

“The Hall has done an incredible job during COVID in making the museum safe for our visitors, and I think that is reflected in the number of visits we have gotten. Our customers trust us to take their safety into account,” Idelson said.

“Of course, we would like to see the attendance numbers rebound, just like everyone else about now,” he said.

Idelson has been living in San Francisco, where he and his partner in Grassroots Baseball, Jean Fruth, have been finishing up a project about historic Route 66. Idelson said by going along one of America’s most famous roads, they were able to document the grassroots strength of the game.

“It is remarkable to see how strong volunteerism is making baseball,” Idelson said. “It is strong in many of the towns that dot the road.”

Idelson said he loves living in a big city again; he lived in Boston and New York City before moving to Cooperstown.

“I certainly miss Cooperstown … and all of my friends here,” he said, “but living in a major city again has been a nice transition.”

Now Idelson will return the favor to his old employer, allowing time to find a successor to Mead and helping it stage a pandemic-affected induction. No players were chosen for induction in 2021, but inductees from 2020, Derek Jeter, Ted Simmons, Larry Walker and the late Marvin Miller will be inducted Sunday, July 25, in a special television program.

According to Idelson, the broadcast will be held in a custom-made studio in the area and shown on the MLB Network and www.mlb.com.

Idelson’s main job is to make the event a success.

“I flew in on a Tuesday, hit the ground running on a Wednesday and I am happily knee deep in Hall of Fame Weekend now,” he said.

Posted

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 Community Says Farewell to One of Its Own

Four-time Academy Award-winning actor Katherine Hepburn famously said, “If you obey all the rules, you’ll miss all the fun.” In many ways, longtime Cooperstown resident Bob Faller, who passed away on July 12, channeled the mantra of Hollywood’s leading lady. He was also renowned for his strong personality, independence and outspokenness, much like the talented screen actress.…

Putting the Community Back Into the Newspaper

Now through March 30, new annual subscribers to “The Freeman’s Journal” and AllOtsego.com (or subscribers who have lapsed for two or more years) have an opportunity to help their choice of one of four Otsego County charitable organizations.

$5.00 of your subscription will be donated to the nonprofit of your choice:

Cooperstown Farmers’ Market, Cooperstown Food Pantry, Greater Oneonta Historical Society or Super Heroes Humane Society.