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.
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.
