Published: June 19, 2008 02:42 pm         

Teams take different paths to C-town

By ERIC AHLQVIST
Cooperstown Crier

The perception among many baseball fans, especially after the announcement that 2008 would be the final year of the Hall of Fame Game, is that major league players have no interest in coming to Cooperstown to play in an exhibition game on what would otherwise be a day off.

That supposition seemed half correct on Monday, when the San Diego Padres and Chicago Cubs were scheduled to meet in the final Hall of Fame Game at Doubleday Field but were rained out.

The Padres flew into Utica after Sunday’s loss to Cleveland, and most of the players and coaches then received a special tour of the Hall of Fame Sunday night. The Cubs opted to remain in Toronto following their 1 p.m. game on Sunday, flew to Albany Monday morning and arrived in Cooperstown shortly before the Fame Game was supposed to begin. The exceptions were outfielder Jim Edmonds and pitcher Jason Marquis, who made their own arrangements to come to Cooperstown Sunday night and participate in the tour. ``I’ve played or managed in three, four of five of these games and it’s an honor but it’s also an inconvenience,’’ said Cubs manager Lou Piniella after his team arrived at Doubleday Field. ``We don’t get too many days off.’’

But San Diego Padres players interviewed Monday, including future Hall of Fame pitcher Greg Maddux, said they were enjoying themselves and that visiting the Hall of Fame should be mandatory for all players.

``When you first look at the schedule and realize you have to come here on an off day it might seem like a hassle,’’ Maddux said at the Clark Sports Center before Monday’s game. ``But I think this is a great way to spend an off day.’’

Padres reserve first baseman Tony Clark said he almost felt bad because he and his family spent nearly four hours at the museum and ``closed the place down.’’

Clark, who is African-American, said he spent most of his time at the ``Pride and Passion’’ exhibit which is dedicated to the history of the Negro Leagues.

``It was crucial for me to see and read about the guys who came before me and paved the way,’’ said Clark, a self-described baseball historian. ``It was also important for me to show my sons the history of the game. I think they really got an appreciation for what those guys went through.’’

Hall spokesman Brad Horn said giving players a tour of the Hall of Fame has always been a big part of hosting the Hall of Fame Game.

``To watch (Padres reliver) Trevor Hoffman show his three sons artifacts that he had donated to us after his 500th save, or to eavesdrop on stories that Greg Maddux was telling his teammates is very meaningful for them and for us,’’ Horn said. ``I think it’s a very enlightening experience for the players.’’

San Diego manager Bud Black said the elimination of the Hall of Fame Game should not and will not diminish the important role the Hall of Fame plays in youngster’s lives.

``If I’m not mistaken, there are games at Doubleday Field almost every day,’’ he said. ``I know the fans want to see our major league players, but the reality is with a 162-game schedule and very few days off it’s not realistic to expect them to play a whole game. It’s an exhibition, and that’s how we treat it.’’

San Diego reliever Heath Bell said making the trip to Cooperstown was tiring but something all of the players will look back on and appreciate.

``I’m sure that a couple of weeks from now or a couple of years from now we’ll be saying ‘Remember that trip to Cooperstown?’” he said.

``To walk through the Hall with Greg, and realize he’ll be in there someday, was special to all of us.’’ For his part Maddux, who won his 350th game earlier this season, said he was just enjoying the museum and not thinking about the future.

``I’m still playing and trying to win my next start, that’s my focus,’’ he said. ``It was neat to see the plaques and the artifacts from players who were my contemporaries That’s what I enjoyed.’’