Is This Heaven? My Atlanta Braves HoF Induction Ceremony Weekend

Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony –

July 24-27, 2015. For former Atlanta Braves pitcher John Smoltz, there will probably never be another weekend quite like this one. The majestic, hallowed ground that is Cooperstown, NY, will welcome him and 3 others into its halls.

For those of you who don’t remember, or never knew, Smoltz joins 2 other dominant pitchers in Randy Johnson and Pedro Martinez. Craig Biggio finally made the cut as well.

However, As a lifelong Braves fan, I want to share in my experience of baseball’s most sacred of places; the Mecca for any player, coach, executive, and fan! The National Baseball Hall of Fame!

In recent past, we have seen a slew of HoF worthy Braves retire, most recent, Chipper Jones; the closest sure thing you can have.

However,  I remember the teams of the 90’s. I remember When Greg Maddux signed with the Braves. I remember watching Tom Glavine come up from Richmond to Atlanta. I remember Bobby Cox coming back to Atlanta and turning the laughing stock of baseball, into a serious, lethal threat!

A lot of Brave fans these days are still more enamored in the present and its most recent past stars. But I know where it started, and who it began with. There was no way on God’s green Earth that I would miss Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine, and Bobby Cox go into Cooperstown together!

A lot of people would say, things like “I’m waiting for Chipper”, or things of that nature. I wasn’t letting history passing me by. And what better way to make my first trip to Cooperstown than that weekend. A historical moment of sorts, two pitchers from the same team(s) and their manager. Now the third member of that rotation goes in.

I’m reminded of how much of an experience this weekend was for me last year! The memories, moments, and yes, even the tears of how emotionally charged that weekend holds. Especially for those who have watched their whole lives, the careers of such players. To know I witnessed history; amazing!

In the following images, is my experience in pictures from the best place on Earth, Cooperstown, NY. But first, I must express, if you have never been, you must go. Regardless if it is induction weekend or not. Every baseball fan needs to see it at least once!

Walking through this magnificent, glorious place, you feel a connection to the ghosts of DiMaggio, Mantle, Ruth, Wagner, Cobb … all of them. The pieces lining the walls, floors, and doorways make the kid in you beam with excitement! You will not want to leave, I guarantee it.

The Hall of Fame and Museum is deceptively small. As you walk around the corners of the small home town’s main street, you wonder if you’re in the right place. A very small town of about a couple thousand, engorges to a whopping 500,000+ on Induction Weekend. Residents charge ceremony-goers to park on their property or along the street.

It’s about American as it gets, believe it or not. Kids selling lemonade in their drive-ways as visitors walk by on their way to the induction ceremony, and let me tell you, it’s a hike.

Anyway, let me show you some of the wonderful things you will see at the Hall of Fame. I promise, if you go, you will not regret the trip.

Next: The Induction Ceremony