There are three must-see exhibits in Cooperstown at the Hall of Fame for fans of all ages. The entire Hall of Fame Museum is an absolute “bucket list”-type experience for any baseball fan. There are certain exhibits, however, that deserve more attention than others. Below are the top three must-see/can’t miss attractions for those fortunate enough to make the trek to Cooperstown, NY.
Three Must-See Exhibits in Cooperstown
Pride and Passion: The African-American Baseball Experience
The Pride and Passion: The African-American Baseball Experience exhibit is an unfortunate testament to an awful past reality and grave injustice. The fact that baseball teams were segregated at one time is a tragedy. That is but a small reality to the truth that many parts of our great nation used to be segregated. It is true, however, that baseball helped our nation to heal and grow. The debuts of Jackie Robinson and Larry Doby were instrumental in 1947. Their debuts, as well as the careers of Hank Aaron and others of that era, helped push the United States towards social progress.
There were, unfortunately, many greats of the Negro Leagues who never had the chance to prove themselves against Major League players. Guys like Lou Gehrig, Babe Ruth, Cy Young, Walter Johnson, and Honus Wagner never played against African Americans in the Major Leagues. There were occasional exhibition series between Negro League and Major League players, but teams were still segregated.
The Pride and Passion exhibit in the Hall of Fame Museum cannot fix the injustices that occurred. The exhibit does attempt to honor the impressive careers of these men who were long denied many liberties. Just a few of the impressive men found in this exhibit are Andrew “Rube” Foster, Leroy “Satchel” Paige, James “Cool Papa” Bell, and Josh Gibson. We cannot change our history. What we must do is learn from past mistakes and those who came before us in order to make the future brighter for everyone.
The Hank Aaron exhibit
Even for non-Atlanta Braves fans, the Hank Aaron: Chasing the Dream exhibit is one of the coolest rooms in the entire museum. Many fans know the story of Hank Aaron chasing Babe Ruth’s career home run mark. Aaron finally passed the Babe with home run number 715 on April 8, 1974. The moment was captured perfectly by the call of one of the all-time great broadcasters, Vin Scully.
Many know the story, but this exhibit brings it to life! Fans can see the baseballs Aaron hit for some of his milestone home runs, including home run number 755, which bears Aaron’s autograph. One display case holds the cap, bat, and ball from Aaron’s 600th home run. To cap it all off, Hank Aaron’s complete jersey from the night he broke Babe’s record is proudly displayed in a 360-degree glass case. The Barry Bonds vs. Hank Aaron debate may rage on, but this exhibit is an absolute must for all baseball fans.
The Plaque Gallery
The #1 thing fans MUST checkout in the Hall of Fame Museum is the Plaque Gallery. This should come as no surprise. It is impossible to describe the majesty of the Plaque Gallery with words alone. It truly is something that must be experienced. The Gallery is currently home to 312 plaques (not counting the class of ’16). There are plaques for 215 Major League players, twenty-eight executives, thirty-five Negro League players, twenty-two managers, and ten umpires.
Every plaque truly is gorgeous, from the First Five members to the newest. Each new plaque is as beautiful and painstakingly detailed as the previous one. In a town where everything screams the history of baseball, the Plaque Gallery is the crowning jewel.
The great thing about the Plaque Gallery is that it offers something no other place in baseball can: perspective. Players retire every year, and every year the debate begins for a few “fan favorite” players. “Is player X a Hall of Famer? What about player Y?” It’s natural. Everyone wants to see the player they love get recognized for his service.
The reality, however, is that a microscopic percentage of players are Hall of Fame material. And that is okay. That is what makes the Hall of Fame THE HALL OF FAME. It is prestigious. It is hard to reach. That does not mean some players have never been unjustly left out of the Hall of Fame, just that mistakes are bound to happen in this process. All in all, the Plaque Gallery undoubtedly ties the whole experience together for those who make the journey to Cooperstown.
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