Who’s going to Mauer’s HOF induction?

[Eric Blonigen]

In just over three weeks, Joe Mauer will be inducted into the baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown. He’s the first BBWAA-voted player to go in representing the Twins since Bert Blyleven in 2011.

Best case scenario, it’ll be 15 years before we have another Twins player be enshrined, unless we see the veterans committee do some work like they did for Tony Oliva and Jim Kaat in 2022.

It’s pretty rare in this era to see a player spend his entire career with one team - especially the team he grew up rooting for. This is all to say that seeing a player as special to an organization as Mauer be enshrined is something that doesn’t happen all that often, and seeing it in person may be a pretty unique experience.

I’ll be making the trek to see the festivities. Who else is going to represent the hometown kid?  Anyone have any tips for great things to do in the Cooperstown area?

[ewen21]

Cooperstown is great, but very touristy.  I would recommend Oneonta, which is an easy half hour country drive to Cooperstown.  Bring golf clubs and a desire to drink!

 

Me? I can make a day trip to Cooperstown,  Not sure if I am doing it though

[strumdatjag]

I’m not.  But Joe deserves this.  Again, I suggest he use some of his wealth to hire some comedy writers and give the best induction speech ever given.   Deadpan, aw-shucks delivery.   Practice it.  Give credit with an edge.   Then when people laugh, look befuddled like he didn’t mean to be funny.   C’mon Joe, you can do it!!!!  

[ashbury]

I've been to Cooperstown many times and love it.  Beautiful scenery and the town itself is picturesque.  If you like baseball books, check out Willis Monie Books for their selection of used books. The big hotel, the Otesaga, is worth walking through, which is right by the lake.  The start of the Susquehanna River is just east of downtown. 

I've never been there during tourist season, with HOF induction being highest of the high of course, so it's going to be crowded and getting around is hard.  But if you get off of Main Street, the rest of the town is charming.  My sister in law had thoughts of moving there fulltime at one point, it's so nice.  Enjoy!

[IndianaTwin]

1. Unless you have reason to have a seat “inside the fence,” when you get to town, your first stop is the grounds where the ceremony happens. Put out your blanket and lawn chair to reserve your spot. We put ours out around 9 a.m. on Saturday morning and were still back a ways. It will be safe until Sunday.

2. Visiting the Hall is great, but it will be very full on Saturday. If you have the ability to visit earlier (even Friday) or later, you will likely have a more enjoyable experience. If Saturday is your only option, by all means visit, but know it will be packed. 

3. Cool as the ceremony is, the Saturday is evening parade was even more enjoyable for me. Particularly read point 3 in my blog from the Oliva induction for more than explanation. 

4. Have fun!