Tickets on sale for Hall of Fame Classic
MLBPAA-sponsored event features all-time greats
Ten-year Major Leaguer and MLBPAA member Mike Pagliarulo is put to work selling tickets to fans at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum for the upcoming Hall of Fame Classic on Fathers Day, June 21.
(Milo Stewart Jr.)
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COOPERSTOWN, N.Y. -- Joe Deucker wanted to be sure he didn't miss out. So when tickets for the June 21 Hall of Fame Classic went on sale Saturday at 10 in the morning, he had already been in line for six hours.
But when Deucker arrived from Albany in the pre-dawn chill of Cooperstown, he found he wasn't the only person waiting. Joe Tartaglia and his son Brandon had been in line since Friday.
"This is the fourth year in a row we've been first in line," said Joe Tartaglia, who lives more than four hours away from Cooperstown in Milford, Mass. "A couple years ago, we got here first, and now everyone is trying to beat us. But it's great. The best part is you get to meet a lot of people."
The Tartaglia's Hall of Fame-line tradition began during the days of the Hall of Fame Game, which was discontinued by Major League Baseball following the 2008 contest. In its place, the Hall of Fame has created the Baseball Hall of Fame Classic, which will feature five Hall of Famers and about two dozen recently retired players in an old-timers' game June 21 at Cooperstown's Doubleday Field.
For those fans who couldn't get to Cooperstown today, they can call 1-866-849-7770 between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. daily to order tickets for the Classic. Fans can also order tickets online here.
Mark Harlander lives about an hour from Cooperstown in Rome, N.Y., and stood in line Saturday in anticipation of the new Father's Day tradition.
"I'm here with my dad, Cris, and it's the first time we've gone to a game here," said Harlander, who is the varsity baseball coach at nearby Poland High School. "It's because of the connection with Father's Day and because it's connected with history now. This will be a lot better than seeing guys who are playing in Class A ball, which is what you saw in the old Hall of Fame Game."
Former big league third baseman Mike Pagliarulo was on hand to greet ticket buyers, hand out donuts, sign autographs and swap stories with fans. Pagliarulo is one of several players who have already committed to the Classic -- along with Hall of Famers Bob Feller, Ferguson Jenkins, Paul Molitor, Brooks Robinson and Phil Niekro.
Recently retired players George Foster, Bill Lee, Jim Kaat, Steve Rogers and Lee Smith have also committed to appear at the Classic.
Several local residents, including Carol Highfield of Cooperstown and Jim Smith of Clinton, N.Y., also lined up early Saturday to avoid missing a seat. Highfield has attended Hall of Fame Games for years with her husband Bill, while Smith is new to Central New York.
"Last year, I tried to get tickets on the phone and didn't get in," Smith said. "So this year, I wanted to be in line. I saw all these articles on the game and knew I had to get in on it. And when I told my 14-year-old son we were getting tickets, he gave me a big pat on the back."
Tickets for the June 21 Classic are $12.50 for first- and third-base seats and $11 for outfield seats. Tickets buyers calling via phone at 1-866-849-7770 must be Museum members prior to calling, and phone orders are subject to a $3.50 handling fee per ticket. A six-ticket maximum per active membership will apply. Members will have an exclusive opportunity to buy tickets by phone through Sunday, April 26, though sales are subject to availability. Any remaining tickets on Monday, April 27, will be available by phone to the general public.
The Baseball Hall of Fame Classic highlights an entire weekend of family events, both at Doubleday Field and within the Museum.
"We've been coming here once a year for about 20 years -- since I was 7," said Brandon Tartaglia. "It's a tradition, just like being first in line."
This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
MLB Alumni News
• Become a member of the MLBPAA »
COOPERSTOWN, N.Y. -- Joe Deucker wanted to be sure he didn't miss out. So when tickets for the June 21 Hall of Fame Classic went on sale Saturday at 10 in the morning, he had already been in line for six hours.
But when Deucker arrived from Albany in the pre-dawn chill of Cooperstown, he found he wasn't the only person waiting. Joe Tartaglia and his son Brandon had been in line since Friday.
"This is the fourth year in a row we've been first in line," said Joe Tartaglia, who lives more than four hours away from Cooperstown in Milford, Mass. "A couple years ago, we got here first, and now everyone is trying to beat us. But it's great. The best part is you get to meet a lot of people."
The Tartaglia's Hall of Fame-line tradition began during the days of the Hall of Fame Game, which was discontinued by Major League Baseball following the 2008 contest. In its place, the Hall of Fame has created the Baseball Hall of Fame Classic, which will feature five Hall of Famers and about two dozen recently retired players in an old-timers' game June 21 at Cooperstown's Doubleday Field.
For those fans who couldn't get to Cooperstown today, they can call 1-866-849-7770 between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. daily to order tickets for the Classic. Fans can also order tickets online here.
Mark Harlander lives about an hour from Cooperstown in Rome, N.Y., and stood in line Saturday in anticipation of the new Father's Day tradition.
"I'm here with my dad, Cris, and it's the first time we've gone to a game here," said Harlander, who is the varsity baseball coach at nearby Poland High School. "It's because of the connection with Father's Day and because it's connected with history now. This will be a lot better than seeing guys who are playing in Class A ball, which is what you saw in the old Hall of Fame Game."
Former big league third baseman Mike Pagliarulo was on hand to greet ticket buyers, hand out donuts, sign autographs and swap stories with fans. Pagliarulo is one of several players who have already committed to the Classic -- along with Hall of Famers Bob Feller, Ferguson Jenkins, Paul Molitor, Brooks Robinson and Phil Niekro.
Recently retired players George Foster, Bill Lee, Jim Kaat, Steve Rogers and Lee Smith have also committed to appear at the Classic.
Several local residents, including Carol Highfield of Cooperstown and Jim Smith of Clinton, N.Y., also lined up early Saturday to avoid missing a seat. Highfield has attended Hall of Fame Games for years with her husband Bill, while Smith is new to Central New York.
"Last year, I tried to get tickets on the phone and didn't get in," Smith said. "So this year, I wanted to be in line. I saw all these articles on the game and knew I had to get in on it. And when I told my 14-year-old son we were getting tickets, he gave me a big pat on the back."
Tickets for the June 21 Classic are $12.50 for first- and third-base seats and $11 for outfield seats. Tickets buyers calling via phone at 1-866-849-7770 must be Museum members prior to calling, and phone orders are subject to a $3.50 handling fee per ticket. A six-ticket maximum per active membership will apply. Members will have an exclusive opportunity to buy tickets by phone through Sunday, April 26, though sales are subject to availability. Any remaining tickets on Monday, April 27, will be available by phone to the general public.
The Baseball Hall of Fame Classic highlights an entire weekend of family events, both at Doubleday Field and within the Museum.
"We've been coming here once a year for about 20 years -- since I was 7," said Brandon Tartaglia. "It's a tradition, just like being first in line." This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.