WCDO Radio News

The Hall of Fame Classic will be held Saturday at historic Doubleday Field in Cooperstown with the first pitch scheduled for 1:05 pm. Hall of Famers Bert Blyleven and Jim Kaat will manage their respective teams in the 13th edition of the Classic, while Hall of Famers Rollie Fingers, Fergie Jenkins, Jack Morris and Lee Smith will lend a hand in the dugout and in the coach’s boxes. Tickets may still be available at prod1.agileticketing.net.

The 13th edition of the Hall of Fame Classic will be played on Saturday, May 27 at Doubleday Field in Cooperstown. The Classic will feature Hall of Famers Rollie Fingers, Fergie Jenkins, Jim Kaat and Jack Morris along with Recently retired players representing each of the 30 big league teams, in the 7 inning game. Tickets go on sale at 9 am. this morning at baseballhall.org, or by phone at (407) 564-8059.

One of the largest crowds in Baseball Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony History attended yesterday's festivities in Cooperstown, to see 7 more inducted. A large number of attendees came from the New England States to see Boston Red Sox Star Designated Hitter David Ortiz inducted, he appreciated all who supported him along the way:

(David Ortiz 7-25-22)

Also inducted yesterday, Left handed Pitcher Jim Kaat, Cuban Born Outfielders Tony Oliva & Minnie Minosa, Dodgers & New York Mets Legend Gil Hodges, Cooperstown area native Bud Fowler, an early black player & manager in the 1800's, And Negro League Star & Ambassador Buck O'Neill.

The 1st Nate Lull Scholarship Foundation Golf Tournament was held at the Ouleout Creek Golf Course in Franklin Sunday, WCDO Sports Director Nate Lull decided to start the scholarship fund for students in the Tri-County region;

(Nate Lull 7-25-22)

Lull said that he expects to continue with the Golf Tournament in July or August going forward, and may announce other fundraiser in the coming months for the Scholarship fund.

A.M. NEWS MONDAY 7-25-22

Another large crowd attended this year's Class of 2022 National Baseball Hall of Fame induction ceremony in Cooperstown on Sunday. First up was Left Handed Pitcher Jim Kaat, who played from 1959 to 1983, mostly with the Minnesota Twins, he said it was an honor to be selected by the Golden Era Committee for induction:

(Jim Kaat 7-25-22)

Kaat's teammate for many of his years in Minnesota was Outfield Tony Oliva, who thanked people for traveling from all over, especially Minnesota, to share in his special day:

(TONY OLIVA 7-25-22)

The Late Gil Hodges made a name for himself as a 1st baseman for the Brooklyn & Los Angeles Dodgers, and as the manager of the Miracle Mets of 1969. Gil's daughter Irene Hodges told the audience how her father soothed the fears of Japanese children by teaching them baseball during Word War 2, but how he befriended & championed Jackie Robinson, the 1st African American Major Leaguer & Hodges teammate in Brooklyn:

(IRENE HODGES 7-25-22)

The last speech was by David Ortiz, who after marginal success with Minnesota, blossomed into a 3 time World Series Champion with the Boston Red Sox, he told the crowd, to always encourage others:

(DAVID ORTIZ 7-25-22)

Also Inducted, Fort Plain New York Native Bud Fowler, a black pioneer who played in the early days of organized Baseball, Legendary Cuban born star outfielder Minnie Minoso, Negro League player & ambassador Buck O'Neill.

WCDO's Nate Lull has started a Scholarship program, with the 1st fundraiser to be a golf Tournament in Franklin Sunday, he told WCDO News about it:

(Nate Lull 7-22-22)

Lull said that he hopes to make this an annual event & other events may be added to raise additional funds for future scholarships.

A.M. NEWS FRIDAY 7-22-22

More than 50 Hall of Famers are expected to return to Cooperstown this weekend to honor the Class of 2022. Bud Fowler, Gil Hodges, Jim Kaat, Minnie Miñoso, Tony Oliva, Buck O’Neil and David Ortiz will be inducted into the Hall of Fame on Sunday, the Hall of Fame Parade of Legends returns at 6:00 pm Saturday.

51 past-inducted Hall of Fame members are expected to return to Cooperstown July 22nd through the 25th, to celebrate the induction of the Hall of Fame Class of 2022. This Year's inductees Jim Kaat, Tony Oliva and David Ortiz are scheduled to be a part of Hall of Fame Weekend, The Class of 2022 also includes posthumous electees Bud Fowler, Gil Hodges, Minnie Miñoso and Buck O’Neil, all will be inducted on Sunday, July 24 1:30 PM at the Clark Sports Center, the ceremony will air live on MLB Network.

The results of the 78th Baseball Writers’ Association of America Hall of Fame election will be revealed at 6:00 PM tonight live from the Hall of Fame Plaque Gallery in Cooperstown. The event will be carried by the MLB Network, as Hall of Fame President Josh Rawitch delivers the results. The Ballot features 30 players, including 13 new candidates and 17 returnees. Those announced tonight will join Bud Fowler, Gil Hodges, Jim Kaat, Minnie Miñoso, Buck O’Neil and Tony Oliva at the inductions in Cooperstown in July.

A.M. NEWS Tuesday 1-25-22

The Associated Press is reporting this morning that Former Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver has died while serving a prison sentence in a corruption case. Silver died Monday, he was 77, and he had been sentenced to more than six years in prison for using his clout in state government to benefit real estate developers. The conviction ended a four-decade career in the Assembly.

The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum announced who will be inducted into the Hall of Fame later this year. The Inductees are Player Manager Gil Hodges, Pitcher Jim Kaat, outfielders Minnie Miñoso & Tony Oliva, & Negro League players Bud Fowler and Buck O'Neil to Cooperstown. Hodges, Kaat, Miñoso and Oliva were elected by the Golden Days Era Committee, which considered a 10-person ballot comprised of candidates whose primary contribution to the game came from 1950-69. Fowler and O’Neil were elected by the Early Baseball Era Committee, which considered a 10-person ballot of candidates whose primary contribution the game came prior to 1950.