Father’s Day at Baseball Hall Of Fame Classic In Cooperstown

Father's Day is the time a year that truly makes being a dad the best feeling in the world.  And on Sunday, a mix of baseball and quality time with my son, Zachary, was a moment I won't soon forget. 

The 3rd Annual Baseball Hall of Fame Classic in Cooperstown matched up several Hall of Famers and former Major League Baseball players in an exhibition put on for the fans of the game.  Hall of Famers Andre Dawson, Goose Gossage, Phil Niekro, Jim Rice, Ozzie Smith and Dick Williams all took part in the Classic as well as two dozen former major leaguers - including Doug Glanville, Dave Henderson, Dale Murphy, Billy Sample, Reggie Sanders, Mike Timlin, Willie Wilson, Rick Wise and Dmitri Young.

I was doing the play-by-play of this game for 104.5 "The Team".  It was the first time I had done baseball play-by-play in over 15 years.  It was an exciting time for me as I was able to do the radio call for some of the players I grew up watching.  I did a live interview with former Atlanta Braves centerfielder Dale Murphy (the best player of the 1980's who should be in the Hall of Fame, by the way).  I really enjoyed the afternoon of fun and sun and some great baseball.

But I really enjoyed seeing my son, Zachary, watching a baseball game for the first time.  Granted, the soon-to-be 3-year old wasn't exactly aware of everything going on down on the field.  But he truly enjoyed seeing the players that close.

After the game, I took Zachary down on the field to get autographs and take some pictures with the players.  He got to meet Dmitri Young (the Bob Feller Player of the Game Award with 3 hits including a 3-run homerun) and took a picture with him.  He also met Hall of Famers Andre Dawson and Jim Rice.

There were 5,687 fans at Doubleday Field on a sunny Sunday afternoon and they watched as the Phil Niekro led "Knucksies" defeated Ozzie Smith's "The Wizards", 8-6.  And I watched my son take home Hall of Fame memories that will last a lifetime.

I love being a dad!