Hall Of Fame Yearbook Keeper Of Baseball Memories All Generations

]

The following isn’t a shameless plug.

25 Main Street Cooperstown, New York is the single, greatest address on Planet Earth.

For me, the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum is more than a collection of brick and mortar in New York’s Otsego County. As far as I’m concerned, the Hall is Major League Baseball’s 31st franchise. It’s my home team (apologies to my beloved Syracuse and New York Mets). And, yes, I have a season ticket.

Every May the anticipation builds for me. It’s the time when the Hall of Fame’s annual yearbook arrives inside the museum’s gift shop. As a kid growing up in Queens, New York, going to opening day for either the Yankees or Mets meant being one of the first fans to pick up a copy of either team’s yearbook.

If I wasn’t able to cut school with my friends, buy our bleacher seats, and soak in the excitement of a new season of hope, I could count on one of the subway newsstands having copies of the Yankees yearbook next to The Sporting News for the grabbing.

All this excitement, plus more, is how I feel when holding a copy of the Hall’s yearbook. It allows me to go down memory lane of decades being around baseball’s greatest of all-time. Since I first began attending induction ceremonies in 1976 as a fan, and in later years reporting on the inductions for various news outlets, I have seen the best baseball has had to offer.

Baseball Hall of Fame Yearbook 2021 cover

So, when I travel page by page in this year’s yearbook, I’m reminded of who I have “rubbed elbows” with.

Before getting to Hall’s members pages, there is inviting features written by, again, the best baseball has to offer. Scott Pitoniak, who along his distinguished journalistic career worked at Utica’s Observer-Dispatch and The Little Falls Evening Times, has a wonderful story on the late Marvin Miller, who will be inducted into the Hall on September 8. There’s a Q & A feature on fellow hall of famer Joe Torre by Bruce Markusen. Plus, there is a great piece on Larry Walker, also of the Hall’s Class of 2020, by BBWAA Career Excellence Award winner Tracy Ringolsby.

Okay, from page 52 to 134, this is where absolute fabulous memories come gushing back to me. Induction Weekend each summer, for me, is the World Series, Super Bowl, Stanley Cup Finals, and NBA Finals, wrapped into one.

Seeing the hall of famers bios, listed in alphabetical order beginning with Hank Aaron, this is where my personal time machine kicks in full throttle.

Aaron (Class of ‘82) has a special meaning to me. I go back to 1982, as I’m sitting in the lobby of The Otesaga Hotel in Cooperstown on a Friday, it’s around 11:00 am. I have my media pass for the weekend through WLFH 1230 Radio in Little Falls, New York. I just finished a conversation with hall of famer Johnny Mize, and when the elevator door slides open, out steps Aaron.

The home run king is besieged by autograph seeks, as he makes his way to the concierge’s desk. 1982 is also the first of 19 consecutive years that I will be part of the crew that ESPN hires to work their telecast (live and taped) of the induction ceremonies.

The following page, there’s Sparky Anderson’s (Class of ‘00) information. The hall of fame manager of the great “Big Red Machine” teams of the 1970’s has me recall one specific detail of my time spent with him. In between takes of an interview ESPN is taping with Anderson, I ask about his childhood. Sparky responds by asking if I ever watched The Little Rascals on TV when I was a kid.

One of the main cast members of the show was Matthew “Stymie” Beard. Sparks says that he and Beard were childhood pals.

Up until 2008, two MLB teams would travel to Cooperstown each summer during Induction Weekend, and play a game at Cooperstown’s Doubleday Field. One of the best perks as a member of the media was to have a few minutes time with returning hall of famers. Again, way back when, thanks to WLFH Radio and Bill Keeler, I had my tape recorder rolling to capture interviews for our pre-game show.

Earl Averill (Class of ‘75), who played from the late 1920’s to the early 1940’s with the Cleveland Indians, was one of my guests. James “Cool Papa” Bell (Class ‘74), a 24-season sensation in the Negro Leagues, was another who I chatted on mic with. What a sincere privilege it was to be in their presence.

Then, as I read about Ernie Banks ( Class of ‘77) (yes, I read the yearbook, page by page), I remember a time in the early 1980’s when on the Friday of Induction Weekend, Banks is walking through the parking lot of The Otesaga Hotel. Almost instantly, when spotted, there appears to be an informal parade of autograph seekers, and Banks is scribbling his name on cards and photographs at record speed.

As a reporter, when for eight years I wrote a sports blog at uticaod.com, one of my favorite encounters with hall of famers came at the Clark Sports Center grounds. Johnny Bench (Class of ‘89) was one of the instructors on an early Friday morning at the Hall’s annual educational fundraiser presided over by Ozzie Smith (Class of ‘02).

Two of the coolest stories I’ve had shared with me by hall of famers came from Bench. He spoke fondly and lengthy about his admiration for the late player/manager Don Zimmer. Zimmer was bench’s manager while playing minor league ball in Buffalo, New York. The former Cincinnati Reds’ catcher also shared a heartwarming story about the last time his former manager Sparky Anderson came to Cooperstown.

Bench and Anderson sat next to each other on a bus that would transport them from The Otesaga Hotel to the Clark Sports Center grounds on Induction Sunday. They held hands. Anderson has been battling dementia at this time. Priceless words from a giant of a man.

Who could forget, when individual hall of famers are announced to the thousands of fans who travel from all corners of North America (and elsewhere), and the reception they receive? Umpire Jocko Conlon (Class of ‘74), would also flash a “safe” sign, when greeting his public - which always received a “pop” from the crowd.

The great New York Yankee catcher Bill Dickey (Class of ‘54) is another baseball legend I had the pleasure to meet, and chat with - while at Doubleday Field. Could it get any better? Each year I comb through the Hall’s yearbook, and see Dickey’s profile, and I go back to a sun-drenched Monday during Induction Weekend. I see Mr. Dickey, and I’m in eternal awe.

Don Laible interviews Hall of Famer Jim Thome in Cooperstown 2019. Photo courtesy of Don Laible for WIBX

Once, I saw Leo Durocher (Class of ‘94) walking along Main Street in Cooperstown heading straight for the CVS Pharmacy. No one could hide while in Cooperstown. Not even Leo the Lip. Mack Robinson, Jackie Robinson’s brother, also paid a visit to the CVS that same weekend.

When I see Willie McCovey’s (Class of ‘86) bio on page 102 in the Hall’s yearbook, I think of the late, great St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Curt Flood. For this Induction Weekend, Flood made the trip from the west coast in support of his friend. As I was taking a break from my ESPN duties, while sitting on a bench outside the Hall, Flood (totally unrecognized by fans) took photographs of the front of the museum.

Then, there’s a special Sunday morning (Induction Day) for me involving Make Piazza (Class of ‘16). It’s 7:00 am, and who do I see but the former catching great who starred for parts of eight seasons with the New York Mets. He began his walk from The Otesaga Hotel, through the Village of Cooperstown, with St. Mary’s Catholic Church on Elm Street his destination for an early morning mass.

The National Baseball Hall of Fame And Museum Yearbook 2021 is more than a fan’s guide to understanding the game’s greatest names, it keeps your memories and innocence of a simpler time in life - alive and strong.

Don Laible is a freelance sportswriter living in the Mohawk Valley. He has reported on professional baseball and hockey for print, radio, and on the web since the 1980’s. His columns are featured weekly at WIBX950.com. Don can be contacted via email at Don@icechipsdiamonddust.com.

LOOK: Here is the richest town in each state Just saying the names of these towns immediately conjures up images of grand mansions, luxury cars, and ritzy restaurants. Read on to see which town in your home state took the title of the richest location and which place had the highest median income in the country. Who knows—your hometown might even be on this list.

LOOK: Here Are 30 Foods That Are Poisonous to Dogs To prepare yourself for a potential incident, always keep your vet’s phone number handy, along with an after-hours clinic you can call in an emergency. The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center also has a hotline you can call at (888) 426-4435 for advice.

Even with all of these resources, however, the best cure for food poisoning is preventing it in the first place. To give you an idea of what human foods can be dangerous, Stacker has put together a slideshow of 30 common foods to avoid. Take a look to see if there are any that surprise you.

50 Most Popular Chain Restaurants in America YouGov investigated the most popular dining brands in the country, and Stacker compiled the list to give readers context on the findings. Read on to look through America’s vast and divergent variety of restaurants—maybe you’ll even find a favorite or two.

LOOK: What major laws were passed the year you were born? Data for this list was acquired from trusted online sources and news outlets. Read on to discover what major law was passed the year you were born and learn its name, the vote count (where relevant), and its impact and significance.

LOOK: Here are the 50 best beach towns in America Every beach town has its share of pluses and minuses, which got us thinking about what makes a beach town the best one to live in. To find out, Stacker consulted data from WalletHub , released June 17, 2020, that compares U.S. beach towns. Ratings are based on six categories: affordability, weather, safety, economy, education and health, and quality of life. The cities ranged in population from 10,000 to 150,000, but they had to have at least one local beach listed on TripAdvisor. Read the full methodology here . From those rankings, we selected the top 50. Readers who live in California and Florida will be unsurprised to learn that many of towns featured here are in one of those two states.

Keep reading to see if your favorite beach town made the cut.

LOOK: The most famous actress born the same year as you Many of the actresses in this story not only made a name for themselves through their collection of iconic performances, but also through the selfless, philanthropic nature with which many of them approached their stardom. In an age of flipping the script on societal norms, many of these actresses are using their voices and platforms to be advocates for those who are otherwise unheard.

LOOK: The Most Famous Actor Born Every Year

LOOK: 30 fascinating facts about sleep in the animal kingdom

Former New York Yankees Coach Pens Powerful Insider Book

]

Believe me. You really want to learn who Jeff Mangold is.

The more you know Mangold, and the more pages of Power and Pinstripes : My Years Training the New York Yankees (www.triumphbooks.com), you’ll learn so much more of how the World Series winning Yankees (1998-2000) prepared themselves for some of the most important seasons in the organizations history.

Mangold is clearly one of the nicest, more genuine authors I have ever come across. I sincerely mean - ever. As the head strength and conditioning coach for the Yankees, during two stints, that spanned 14 years in the Bronx, Mangold was back with the club at the right time in baseball history.

Nine consecutive American League East championships, five World Series appearances, three times World Series champions (‘98-‘00). Mangold has more memories than he could have ever imagined, when leaving his conditioning post at the University of Florida in 1984, to come east with the Bronx Bombers.

If you’re a Yankees fan, especially, Power and Pinstripes is a must for you to add to your personal library.

Mangold is the guy who was part of the Yankees’ training staff that motivated Paul O’Neill, Derek Jeter, and Bernie Williams to maintain their bodies in the best possible physical shape, for when post season play came about. He was there for so many important moments in Yankees modern history. The perfect games thrown by David Cone and David Wells, Mangold was in the dugout with one of the best views of baseball history in the making - twice.

Triumph Books

These are the great times in Yankee history that Mangold fills in the details, page after page in Power and Pinstripes.

Then (my favorite) there is the details on what it was like being part of manager Joe Torre’s “meals group”, when the club was on the road. As much as a dozen times during a season, Torre would have his coaching and training staff assemble as his partners in eating in the finest restaurants.

You have to read about the Torre meal that took place in Montreal. It involves then Yankees’ trainer Gene Monahan discussing hall of fame pitcher (and former Torre teammate) Bob Gibson with the Yankee skipper. It ends with Gibson on Torre’s cell phone. The details are amazing.

But, nothing compares to an item that was in Mangold’s possession for 14 years. Think of Game Two of the 2000 Subway Series. Roger Clemens pitching for the Yankees to Mets’ catcher Mike Piazza. Remember in the first inning at Yankee Stadium, when Piazza’s bat split, and the barrel being rocketed to the pitcher’s mound?

Yep. THAT bat was collected and kept by Mangold. The story behind his taking possession of this important piece of baseball history, and ultimately having it auctioned off is off the wall. You will be sharing this story immediately with any baseball fan you know.

Power and Pinstripes ties up so many loose ends to many exciting moments in Yankees’ history.

With permission from Jeff Mangold

For a man born in small town America (Washington, Iowa), to training the best of the best the Yankees fielded, this is what movies are made of.

Today, living in Leland, North Carolina (west of downtown Wilmington), far from New Jersey (Mangold’s home base when working for the Yankees), promoting Power and Pinstripes is his mission. Hall of Famer Mariano Rivera, a close friend of Mangold’s during their time together in the Bronx, wrote the book’s foreword. Seven pages. This is a mini chapter, and a testament to what a profound effect Mangold had on some of the greatest players the game has ever known.

Even with all the thrills he experienced with the Yankees, receiving a box containing copies of Power and Pinstripes: My Years Training the New York Yankees is right up there in personal importance.

" When the box arrived, I opened it up right away," Mangold said earlier this week during a telephone conversation. " There were about 20 books. At first, I was a little apprehensive. I thought this (Power and Pinstripes) may not be good. It was strange to see my name on the cover. Peter Botte and I worked well as a team."

Many years back, when Mangold took his first steps in a career of fitness as a volunteer at the University of Nebraska, he never thought he would find himself working for an MLB club.

" I wanted to go all the way (with Power and Pinstripes). Sharing our (Yankees) trials and tribulations is important. You never knew what was coming. It went from grieving to exhilaration," explains Mangold.

Part of the exhilaration experienced by Mangold during his second term with the Yankees (‘98-‘06) was participating in the World Series ticker tape “Canyon of Heroes” parades - three times.

You want to now what it feels like to be on one of the vehicles during one of these parades? You answer lies in Power and Pinstripes.

With all that Mangold accomplished with and for the Yankees’ organization, having a life after being around the stadium lights and baseball greats is also important to learn of.

" The challenge is on you," Mangold states. " Who you are is the supreme challenge, not what your job is of how much is in your bank account. It has been a couple of years now for me, and I had to move on. It was time to get off the merry-go-round."

Mangold’s close working relationship with Yankees’ late owner George Steinbrenner (Mangold drove Steinbrenner’s car) saw him have the highest clearance of access within the organization.

Perhaps the most personal story Mangold shares came in 2006 - after Yankees’ General Manager Brian Cashman didn’t offer him a contract for the following season.

" I sat down in the Yankee bullpen, and looked out into the stadium. I took it all in - one more time. It was tough."

As each page of Power and Pinstripes proves, Mangold never took his time with the Yankees for granted. To this day, he knows how fortunate he is. Three winning World Series championships rings are good reminders of where he was and what was accomplished.

Since parting ways with the organization, Mangold has been to two Yankees games in the Bronx. Two. There’s hurt in not being a part of the team. Watching is difficult. Mangold is learning how to let his emotions subside; to let it go.

Powers and Pinstripes is an honest deep dive into one of the greatest periods of New York Yankees history by a man who was helping the stars do what they did. Learning from someone on the “outside” on how those on the “inside” make history is rare. This changes with Power and Pinstripes.

Keep reading to see if your favorite beach town made the cut.

LOOK: The Most Famous Actor Born Every Year

LOOK: 30 fascinating facts about sleep in the animal kingdom

Purchase Great Auction Items at Huge Discounts at Maciol Auction

]

Sheriff Rob Maciol is hosting a large online auction on Thursday and some very valuable items are ready to be bid on to benefit the Oneida County Sheriff’s Law Enforcement Foundation. The event will come live from Aqua Vino restaurant in Utica and will be streamed on Facebook Live through OCSLEF.com.

Items ready for bid right now online include Robert Esche Team USA Olympic Helmets starting at $1000, unique wine packages, dinner with Sheriff Maciol and a luxury vacation to Mexico.

Oneida County Sheriff’s Law Enforcement Foundation (OCSLEF) is Maciol’s program to “Put a Face to the Badge” of public safety officers, “engaging the communities we serve in meaningful ways. Through educational programming, community partnerships, and opportunities for open communication,” the foundation works to uphold the integrity of local law enforcement and create safer communities in the Mohawk Valley.

Maciol told WIBX that the program is especially important today with so much attention on how police interact with the community. Money raised allows law enforcement to engage and form relationships with the public, and specifically with school age children and teens.

Here are the items up for auction, along with their starting bids at OSCLEF.com.

OCLSEF Live Auction Items

Vacation Time: Luxury Four Diamond Mexican Resort

Starting Bid: $1,500

If you’re looking for an escape, look no further than this Luxury Four Diamond Mexican Resort! Your resort stay includes 2 adults (option for 2 kids under 12 to stay for free) in one of five beautiful locations: Nuevo Vallarta, Riviera Maya, Acapulco, Los Cabos or Puerto Penasco! Whether you are looking for a Cirque du Soleil dinner show, a Nicklaus Par 3 Golf Experience, or brilliant white-sand beaches, this is the perfect trip to shake off the quarantine blues. Flights not included, 2 year travel window.

Romano Wine Cellar: Premier Pairings

Starting Bid: $1000

Learn the in’s and out’s of dinner wine pairings with a curated sit-down pairing menu by Feast & Festivities by O’Connors and a tasting of the best wines in the Romano wine cellar. A night of mini-entree pairings with the perfect bottles to match, for 8!

Robert Esche Team USA Olympic Helmets

Starting Bid: $1000

2 Helmet set, worn and signed by Rob Esche during the 2006 Olympic Games.

Inaugural Season Signed Comets Jersey

Starting Bid: $400

Inaugural Season jersey signed by every member of the first Utica Comets team!

The HCCC Freshman Necessities

Starting Bid: $50

Featuring a ton of Herkimer County Community College apparel, this is the perfect bundle for any recent high school grad!

Shoot for the Stars: Reid Boucher #24 Signed Retro Jersey

Starting Bid: $650

Retro Style Utica Comet’s Jersey, signed by Reid Boucher #24

Curated Wines: Imperial Magnum

Starting Bid: $1000

A note from our somolier: “Copious amounts of creme de cassis, graphite, spice box and a whiff of new saddle leather result in a classic, authoritative, full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon with no hard edges. This big, mouthfilling, textured, multidimensional Cabernet still tastes like an adolescent, and is capable of lasting another 15-20 years.” Add this to your cellar today, you’ll thank yourself tomorrow!

Shoot for the Stars: VIP Game Day Experience

Starting Bid: $600

For the hockey fanatic, enjoy this VIP Game Day experience for 2 with the Utica Comets! Watch warmups from the penalty box, participate in the player tunnel, receive 2 VIP seats to the game and a $100 concession voucher, participate in game day promotions, meet the coach & player of your choice after the game, and receive your own custom Comets jersey!

Get Your Home Summer Ready

Starting Bid: $250

Get your home ready for the summer with this backyard bundle! Featuring a ProWash Home Power Wash, an outdoor decor basket, and $100 in Target Gift Cards!

Wine All You Want 2022

Starting Bid: $300

This package features 4 exclusive tickets to the Wine All You Want event, to benefit the House of the Good Shepherd! A great charity, an exciting night, and some of the best wine available! Includes a bottle of specialty wine valued at $150

Kick Off: VIP Game Day Experience

Starting Bid: $400

For the soccer fanatic, enjoy this VIP Game Day experience for 2 with the Utica City Football Club! Watch warmups from the field, hand off the ceremonial ball, participate in game day promotions, meet the team after the game, and receive a custom Utica City FC jersey and signed ball!

BBQ Time

Starting Bid: $600

Everything you need for your next cookout! This package includes a $50 gift card to the Clinton Ale House, a special outdoor folding chair and cooler, and a Quarter Hereford Steer, raised in Holland Patent on Sheriff Maciol’s farm! Meat scheduled for delivery in September.

Curated Wines: Verity Les Desir Magnum

Starting Bid: $800

A note from our somolier: “Perfect in its own right, and probably my favorite of the three Verite wines I tasted, the absolutely, drop-dead bouquet of the 2005 Le Désir is the most stunningly complex and fragrant display of a blend of Bordeaux varietals (50% Cabernet Franc, 39% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Sauvignon and a touch of Malbec) that I have found in my horizontal tastings of 2005. This wine is just remarkable, and anyone lucky enough to own any of these wines is in for untold joy over the next 25-20+ years.” Add this to your cellar today, you’ll thank yourself tomorrow!

Sports Fanatic: Signed Yankees Collection

Starting Bid: $100

Two limited edition signed Yankee’s baseballs, one signed by Ron Guidry and one signed by Roy White

Kick Off: Ice Cream Social with the UCFC Devils for 8

Starting Bid: $100

Enjoy an ice cream social with the players of the Utica City Football Club! Includes ice cream from Kookie’s Q for 8, with special appearances from some of the players!

Shoot for the Stars: $500 Comets Shopping Spree

Starting Bid: $200

Enjoy a $500 shopping spree at the Utica Comets or Utica City Football Club team store! Featuring jerseys, apparel, mugs, glasses, and tons more to gear up for the season!

Shoot for the Stars: Elias Pettersson #40 Signed Vancouver Canucks Jersey

Starting Bid: $500

Vancouver Canucks jersey, signed by Elias Pettersson #40

Vacation Time: Tuscany Villa and Wine Tour

Starting Bid: $6,500

Enjoy a 7 night stay in this beautiful villa in Tuscany! This trip for 8 includes a 3 course dinner for 8, curated and served by a private chef, and a guided Wine & Cheese tour of the Tuscan countryside. The first of three stops will be a curated wine tasting in Poliziano, a famous “Nobile di Montepulciano,” to witness the wine’s production and taste some of their most popular wines. The second stop will find you in Monticchiello, a small medieval village hidden in the valley. Finally, the third stop is in the town of Pienza, an amazing town known regionally for their locally produced cheeses, specially the Pecorino Cheese. Flights not included.

Fireman’s Friends

Starting Bid: $200

The perfect match for the avid camper and wilderness enthusiast! This package includes a handy fire starter, and an Indian SmokeChaser Pro Backpack with Dual Fire Pumps.

Shoot for the Stars: Jeremie Blaine #5 Signed OCSLEF Comets Jersey

Starting Bid: $300

Unique OCSLEF branded Utica Comet’s Jersey, signed by Jeremie Blain #5

Romano Wine Cellar: Wines Around the World

Starting Bid: $750

Explore a somolier curated tour of the best wines around the world, right here in New Hartford! A pairing of beautiful wines with hearty hors d’ouvres from Feast & Festivities by O’Connors for 8.

Vacation Time: Disney World Resort Family Trip

Starting Bid: $5,000

This one is for the family! A four night stay at a Disney Resort hotel, including round-trip Coach flights for the family and a $1,000 Park Pass certificate. The perfect way to explore the most magical place on Earth!

Shoot for the Stars: Joseph LaBate #16 Signed Breast Cancer Awareness Comets Jersey

Starting Bid: $300

Breast Cancer Awareness branded Utica Comet’s Jersey, signed by Joseph LaBate #16

Romano Wine Cellar: Bistro Soiree

Starting Bid: $1,500

Join John and Jackie Romano in their one-of-a-kind wine cellar for a filet mignon dinner for 8. Paired with a somolier-curated tasting of the best Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Shiraz, Malbec, and Sangiovese, local cut filet mignon from Michael’s Fine Food & Spirits.

Shoot for the Stars: Dustin Jeffrey #21 Signed OCSLEF Comets Jersey

Starting Bid: $300

Unique OCSLEF/NY Tool branded Utica Comet’s Jersey, signed by Dustin Jeffrey #21

Dinner with Sheriff Maciol

Starting Bid: $800

Join Sheriff Robert Maciol and his wife, Tammy, for an all-inclusive dinner party for 6. Enjoy dinner at a Utica classic, Delmonico’s, with an incredible wine selection and even better conversation.

Keep reading to see if your favorite beach town made the cut.

LOOK: The Most Famous Actor Born Every Year

LOOK: 30 fascinating facts about sleep in the animal kingdom

follow us