Going to the National Baseball HOF in Cooperstown for the first time

[White Knight]

I'm ashamed to admit it, but I've never been there before. I'll be heading up there Monday morning and spending the night so I can go back on Tuesday. I will be bringing a camera for sure. Any advice, stories, what to expect, etc. will be greatly appreciated.

[ol' aches and pains]

I'm ashamed to admit it, but I've never been there before. I'll be heading up there Monday morning and spending the night so I can go back on Tuesday. I will be bringing a camera for sure. Any advice, stories, what to expect, etc. will be greatly appreciated.

Try to have lunch at the Hawkeye Bar & Grill in the Otesaga Hotel, and ask to be seated on the patio. The Otesaga is where players stay when they're in C-Town, and you couldn't ask for a prettier spot. The food is good and not outrageously expensive.

[Mr. Laser Beam]

One question: How often do actual HOF players appear there? I've seen clips of them getting together for a pickup game at the HOF's field and all that, but how often does that actually happen?

And is there any way to get the same HOF jerseys that we see them wear? It's not on the actual website that I'm aware of.

[Cap78]

Hope to get there myself someday

[TonyK]

If you have any favorite players walk up the ramp to the Research Library. They have player folders on every major leaguer who ever played, as well as team and player photos you can purchase too. Some players have more than one folder and there are some interesting items you can get a copy of.

[White Knight]

Try to have lunch at the Hawkeye Bar & Grill in the Otesaga Hotel, and ask to be seated on the patio. The Otesaga is where players stay when they're in C-Town, and you couldn't ask for a prettier spot. The food is good and not outrageously expensive.

I got to Cooperstown early Monday and left Tuesday night. I unfortunately did not get to go to Hawkeye. Tuesday my friend went in to see if they has seating, but came back saying it was busy, and we were a bit under-dressed for it (jeans, baseball shirts and caps). Next time I would like to see it.

I couldn't have asked for a nicer two days. Entire streets full of nothing but baseball. Three levels at the museum. Nice people everywhere. I will have pics up later, it was the trip of a lifetime.

[GiambiJuice]

I'm glad you enjoyed yourself, White Knight. This reminds me that it's been about 6 years since I've gone to Cooperstown. I need to get my lazy a## up there one of these days. It's only a 3 hour drive for me.

[White Knight]

Thanks GiambiJuice. For me it was about 4 1/2+ hours from Staten Island. Here are some pics:

[ol' aches and pains]

Those statues of The Babe and Ted Williams stop me in my tracks every time. Each carved from a single block of wood, IIRC, and just incredibly detailed. Amazing work.