In the past couple days, Republican Rudy Giuliani and Democrat John Edwards have dropped from the race for president. Giuliani now endorses John McCain, while — as of this writing — Edwards has not declared his preference between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama. If I were he, I wouldn’t reveal my hand yet either.
In the midst of these political maneuverings comes an announcement that really makes me wonder about the future of America. Or at least the future of my interest in baseball.
Yesterday — between the Giuliani and Edwards announcements — came the news that the ceremonial baseball game that is a tradition in Cooperstown, New York, as part of the annual Baseball Hall of Fame induction ceremonies will be played this summer for the very last time. After sixty years, the tradition will fade. For me, there is no satisfaction in knowing that one of my favorite teams, the Chicago Cubs, is playing in this year’s contest.
The official word is that “it’s too difficult to schedule this exhibition game because of the complexities of the major league schedule . . .” I find this hard to believe since I imagine those who schedule the season’s games can easily accommodate Baseball’s Hall of Fame.
Personally, I think it’s about money. There is no big wallet for a game where the stadium, Doubleday Field located on Cooperstown’s Main Street, holds less than ten thousand fans. There is no money involved when the game isn’t televised and doesn’t attract major advertising sponsors. So, if my theory is correct, there is no reason to continue the tradition.
I’ve endured Pete Rose’s scandals with gambling. I’ve tolerated unconscionable salaries for atheletes who don’t perform to their potential. I’ve even been patient with the current doping situation. But I don’t think I can stomach giving up an American tradition of the Baseball Hall of Fame Game because it’s “too difficult to schedule.”
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