Preserving History, Honoring Excellence, Connecting Generations.

That’s the motto of the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY. The Hall is a not-for-profit entity that is independent of Major League Baseball.

Well, so it goes.

For many years, I covered the Hall of Fame. I know many of the employees and the countless hours they put into everything that makes the Hall one of the most wonderful places in the world, especially if you are a fan of baseball history.

As a paying member of the Hall, I get free entry all year, so I can come and go as I please. It’s nice to go escape and look at the history of the game. I spend hours there, even when I plan on just checking a few things out. I’ve also spent time in the research library, looking up players for the HooHaa 9.

One thing with the Hall, though, is it seemingly has no say in who is enshrined there.

Though the Hall decides the veteran committees, the main election is done by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America. On Wednesday, those writers decided nobody would be elected to the Hall this year.

I could spout number after number about the players I think should be elected. Or about how certain players were dominant for a generation. But let’s call it as it is — the steroid era is what did this election in.

What I have issue with is the fact that voters seem to treat the Hall like it’s the Hall of Perfection. It’s not. There are a lot of scumbags in the Hall. There are a lot of people with low moral character. And I guarantee there are cheaters in the Hall.

The ball Barry Bonds hit to become the all-time home run king is showcased in the Hall of Fame, though if the writers will likely continue to make sure he’ll never be enshrined.

Again, the ones who decide who goes into the Hall are writers. That’s needs to be changed. I don’t think players should be in total control. I’m all for writers having a say, but the process needs to be changed.

Let’s do a history lesson. In 1994, baseball went into a labor war, which ended up canceling the World Series. In the meantime, it was the beginning of the end for the Montreal Expos, who arguably had the best team in baseball that season.

Once it returned the next season, baseball slowly worked back into the hearts of people. But what really did it? The Mark McGwire vs. Sammy Sosa home run race in 1998.

Remember “Chicks dig the long ball?”

Steroids were rampant in the game that time. I find it hard to believe people didn’t know about it. But nobody cared. Money was flowing. The game was back and people were slamming home runs, which the crowds loves.

Then it all started to fold.

Steroids became the worst thing. Reports came out. People admitted guilt. Moral objections flew all over the place. Then came the “cleaning” of the game.

I’m all for cleaning up the game. I don’t like performance-enhancing drugs. I’m not a supporter of drug use. I want to see the game pure, just like anybody else. That being said, it was an era of the game, so people like Roger Clemens, Barry Bonds should be in the Hall.

It’s part of baseball history.

This game has gone through time. It hasn’t always been great. There’s been racism, drug use, cheating and anything else you can come up with. Ask some of those old timers about greenies. How about the amount of players who did — and still do — cheat on their wives? There’s been many other illegal drug uses. Talk about morality.

There might already be someone in the Hall who used steroids. I have no clue who, but Hall of Famer Fergie Jenkins confirmed there has been “talk” among some Hall of Famers that there’s suspicion of one person as being a user.

Everyone in the steroid era is under suspicion though, and apparently that’s enough to keep people out.

Jeff Bagwell is close, but not in. Mike Piazza was fully looked over this year. Craig Biggio — and his 3,000 hits — were left out this year. Though some people might question Bagwell and Piazza, they haven’t truly been connected to any steroids scandal.

Heck, people like Clemens and Bonds never failed a drug test. Though there’s not likely many people on this planet that don’t suspect steroid use for the two, the facts are the facts — no drug tests have been failed.

My favorite is the first-ballot setup, where it’s some special honor to be in right away. That’s silly, too. You’re a Hall of Famer or you’re not — it’s as simple as that. In the 15 years it took for Jim Rice to get into the Hall, his statistics never changed. Never. He didn’t get any more homers or hits.

This is the power trip for the writers.

Let’s remember, too, that I spent much of my career as a sports writer. I covered the Hall. Though the minor leagues, I covered pro baseball.

But I never understood why covering baseball meant somebody should be able to decide who is in or out of the Hall of Fame.

I still can’t figure out why Jack Morris isn’t in the Hall. Or why Dale Murphy didn’t get more of a look. Heck, Fred McGriff, who I don’t ever think I heard in the steroid discussion, hit 493 home runs and garnered a whopping 20.7 percent of the vote this year.

Now, to be fair, I’m not against players of this era having it being noted on their plaque. But it would have to be everybody. As far as I’m concerned, everybody is possibly guilty.

For heaven’s sake, Andy Pettitte admitted using PEDs at one point during his career.

It’s time for a change to the system. The Hall needs to stick to its mantra and start preserving history. Players like “Shoeless” Joe Jackson and Pete Rose should be in the Hall. Should it be noted on their plaque what happened? Absolutely. But they are Hall of Famers.

So are Clemens and Bonds. And others who are in the steroid era. Eventually Alex Rodriguez, who has admitted use, will be up for election. I don’t like A-Rod and his moral character goes beyond steroids. But is he a Hall of Famer? Yes.

Unfortunately, things aren’t going to change. The Hall won’t sever ties or start a war like this to take control of it. You risk a lot by doing that, without a doubt. And I understand their spot. Still, something should be done. Because to let a bunch of writers who are preaching morality decide who is in or isn’t in the Hall is not working anymore, plain and simple.

I don’t mind a morality clause for gaining induction, but it needs to consider many things. This is a full era of the game we are talking about. Players are going to go into the Hall who may have used but never been suspected.

Plus, it would appear that the writers are also punishing those who aren’t directly connected to the steroid scandal, anyway. Otherwise Morris and Lee Smith would already be in. And players like Curt Schilling would have been much closer this year, if not in.

But hey, you have to protect that first-ballot status.

I still love the Hall of Fame. I love the history. I love the game. And I realize steroids are an extremely important part to the history — now and in the future. You can’t tell the story of baseball without them.

Leaving these players out might make some living Hall of Famers happy and allow the voting contingent to feel like they are doing the right thing, but in the end, they are trying to ignore history.

It’s time for the Hall to step in and start work on a new way so it can be honestly looked at in more than just a morality clause.

Until then, this will continue for at least the next 15 years, if not longer.

Feel free to leave a comment, or e-mail P.J. at hoohaablog [at] gmail.com. Also, please “Like” HooHaa Blog on Facebook!

I just realized something — if I were playing fantasy football, the season would be coming to an end soon.

With the NFL in Week 13, many fantasy leagues will be coming to a halt soon — at least the regular season. Playoffs will be happening soon in these fantasy leagues, with all the excitement building to who will win it all.

<Yawn!>

Based partially on finances and partially on the reality that fantasy football has lost its zest, I stepped away this year from a fantasy league that I was a co-commissioner in. It’s a league I wanted to do more than a decade ago. I wanted to experience an auction draft and see what it was like. Another person jumped in with me and the Beer is Beautiful League was created.

Over the course of the years, we only lost or added a few times. For the most part, the league remained the same group of people. The draft was usually interesting and there were patterns that were often followed.

• The same owners would draft fast or slow
• The same owners would get nasty toward others
• The same owners thought their team was always the best
• The same phrases were usually tossed out
• I would always get Peyton Manning, and sometimes overpay

With Manning no longer on the Colts, this season seemed like the perfect time to step away. In all honestly, I had started to get bored with it a few years ago. The season dragged on. I hated making moves. Trades never seemed to work in my favor and I hated trying to beat people to free agents.

I had lost all interest.

And I just couldn’t stay away from Manning. Being he was my favorite player on my favorite team, it was hard to not overpay for him. Unfortunately, it often hampered my ability to make other moves because I’d spend so much on Manning.

Now, to be fair, the league was set up where quarterbacks could earn a ton of points. Still, you needed a good running back and receiver.

During the reign, I did win the league one time. I’m glad I experienced that because it would have stunk to not win it at least once.

That being said, I don’t miss it.

Not one bit.

I’ve been able to watch football this year in a different way. I’m not worrying about statistics or a called-back score or someone dropping a guaranteed touchdown. Missed field goals don’t bother me and a fumble won’t end my week.

I actually enjoy sitting down and watching a game again. And I’ve watched more college football this year, too, without worrying about what those kids might be like when they hit the pros.

The other good things is on any given Sunday, I might not watch a minute of football. And I don’t have to worry about checking statistics and such. I just see the scores of games and move one.

In that regard, it’s so nice.

Like many things in life, all good things come to an end. I had left the possibility that I’d return in a year or so, once I was employed and could afford to get back in it.

Nope.

This year has made me realize how much I enjoy not playing fantasy football.

I won’t say I’ll never play it again. Who knows. But I can say this — I don’t foresee me doing it again. I have no plans on playing this game again. It was fun while it lasted, but I’m over it now.

Still hearing people talk about where they are in fantasy leagues or the players who haven’t worked out and all the other little nuances makes me even happier about this choice.

It’s a funny thing when you take something out of your life that you thought was not replaceable — and then realize it is.

And it’s also nice knowing I won’t have to worry about ponying up a few extra bucks for free agents and stressing out about players million-dollar player performing so I can win a few extra measly dollars.

This choice was right for me, that’t for sure. I’ve definitely enjoyed life without fantasy football enough to know it was the correct decision.

The big picture also made me realize how right this was — my life right now is too real for me to worry about anything fantasy.

Feel free to leave a comment, or e-mail P.J. at hoohaablog@gmail.com. Also, please “Like” HooHaa Blog on Facebook!

Having the chance to watch curling up close was a really cool experience.

Ever since I first saw the sport in the Olympics, I’ve been fascinated by curling. I don’t know why, being many people consider it quite silly. But there’s something about it. In every Winter Games since it returned as an official sport in 1998, I’ve tried to watch as much of it as I could.

All the yelling and screaming and sweeping for some odd-looking stones on a sheet of ice.

Crazy.

Releasing the stone.

Curling is thought to have been invented in Scotland in the 1500s. Curling artifacts from that time period have been found that support this claim. The sport has become much bigger than one country, however. Many countries from around the world play it.

A few years ago, I was at a geocaching event. When there, a geocacher mentioned being part of a curling club. I’m pretty sure it was one of the ones — Schenectady maybe — in the Capital Region in New York. Alas, I never followed up on it as I had mentioned having interest doing some photos.

I put that in the back of my head and moved on.

I always caught curling when on TV with the Olympics and such. And with that, I always said if I hit a lotto, I’d try and hire a world-class coach and grab some friends and find a way to try and get good enough to play in the Olympics.

Needless to say, I haven’t won the lotto.

However, earlier this year, one of the guys in the Capital Region disc golf group mentioned an open house at the Albany Curling Club. Turns out besides being a disc golfer, Deric was also a curler.

That triggered my mind — I still wanted to get photos of this wonderful sport. And while I was at it, maybe learn a little about the game, too.

So I reached out to Deric and inquired about doing some photography. He eventually set it up for me to come watch one his team’s matches against his coaches team.

Let me tell you — this sport is pretty cool.

Sweeping in front of the stone.

It actually looks easy when you watch on television. Of course when you see it, you’re seeing world-class professionals. Take in mind that what I watched this past week was a local league. Think local softball or baseball. Or football. Something not at the top level.

But there’s something special about things at that level — regular people playing the sport. And understanding it. And knowing what is supposed to happen. That, of course, doesn’t always happen, but that’s what makes it even better.

With this being the only match being played when I was there, I had the chance to walk around the second sheet of ice as I took photos. This gave me the opportunity to watch the eight people — four per team — play the game. There were five males and three females among the two teams.

Though I didn’t understand everything going on, I got the gist of it. Watching the releasing of the stone and the sweeping was interesting. It’s definitely a sport that has grabbed my interest.

One thing I know — it’s a lot colder on that ice than I thought. I’ve been in many an ice rink, but it was cold! Should I go again, I’d have gloves and a winter hat!

It’s definitely a game I’d love to try one day. Hopefully, wherever I end up in this job hunt has a curling club as it seems like a great way to stay active and get out and do something fun and cool during the colder months.

You can see all the photos I have up from this past week by clicking here.

I’m also posting a few of my favorite shots below.

Sending the stone.

Some brooms.

The action.

Watching after the release.

Feel free to leave a comment, or e-mail P.J. at hoohaablog [at] gmail.com. Also, please “Like” HooHaa Blog on Facebook!

Tom Brookens, managing the O-Tigers in 2006.

Tonight is Game 1 of the World Series.

People who know me realize that outside of the Phillies, there aren’t many teams I’ll pull for. I have a couple of other teams I’ve been able to get behind over the years, but for the most part, if it’s not the Phillies, I’m not cheering.

This year is slightly different.

With the Detroit Tigers in the World Series, I can root for a team. See, from 2004-09, I covered Detroit’s Single-A short-season squad in Oneonta. It was one of my career goals — covering pro baseball. I enjoyed every aspect of it and over the six years, I met a lot of different personalities. I always got along quite well with the managers and coaches that were sent to Oneonta and many players were extremely fun to deal with.

Tom Brookens coaches third during the 2006 season in Oneonta.

I won’t lie that some teams were better than others to cover. The same can be said about all managers, coaches and players.

But the two years Tom Brookens was the manager of this team made it a lot of fun to cover the squad.

What I always liked about Brookens was his straight-shooting style. He didn’t hold anything back. He remained calm, but he would tell it like it is. And I liked that. He did things based on a mutual respect.

At the beginning of his first season, I spoke with him in-depth for several stories. We were in the dugout during a workout chatting about the team, season and, when the interviews were done, just some chatter about other things.

But professionally he asked one thing — after the game, he would like about five minutes or so to speak to the team. After that, it was open game. And if a player refused to talk for whatever reason, to get him and he’d help with the situation. See, being in the minors is more than just adjusting to play baseball at the professional level. It’s learning all the nuances, such as dealing with fans, media and everything else.

Especially at the level I covered.

Brookens made it that much more fun.

Those two years (2005-06) were also excellent when it came to minor leaguers in the Detroit system.

Brookens’ 2005 team went 48-27 and won the division. That team featured 10 players who, at some point, would at least get a taste of the major leagues. Some of them, such as Matt Joyce (now with the Tampa Bay Rays), Burke Badenhop (also now with the Rays) Guillermo Moscoso (now with the Rockies) and Will Rhymes (also with the Rays) would go on see some significant time in the majors. Joyce was a 2011 All-Star and Badenhop has been a reliever at the top level for several years with the Marlins and Rays.

Brennan Boesch was a core player for Tom Brookens in 2006. He’s now on the big club, where Brookens is a coach.

The following season, Oneonta went 44-32, again winning the division. Seven players on that team have major league experience, including Brennan Boesch, who has been on the big team for the past couple of years. He hasn’t been on the playoff roster this year, however, as he was a bit cold down the stretch.

That team also featured Casper Wells (now with the Mariners), Casey Fien (who pitched in 35 games with the Twins this year) and Cristhian Martinez, who has pitched out of the pen for Florida (2009) and Atlanta (2010-12).

There’s much I remember about “Brookie,” including is southern Pennsylvania sound, his way of dealing with players and the way he always treated everybody with respect. He also made himself available to me for future stories, even after he left this team as he climbed the ranks. In the end, he always showed how much of a class act he is and for that, he’s always been my favorite manager I dealt with.

And, with knowing some people in the organization, it’s nice to see some of these people reach this level and have a chance at that ring.

I watched as the Tigers swept the Yankees in the American League Championship Series and as the celebration unfolded, I saw Brookens with that big smile and his signature mustache among the crowd. It was easy to smile and be happy for this squad.

Brookens won a World Series as a player (1984 with Detroit), and if the Tigers win, this will be his first as a coach.

Knowing what kind of person Brookens is makes it easy to cheer for a Detroit World Series title this season.

Feel free to leave a comment, or e-mail P.J. at hoohaablog [at] gmail.com. Also, please “Like” HooHaa Blog on Facebook!

There’s nothing like a good, old fashioned football rivalry to fill up a nice fall Saturday.

Such it was this past Friday when Delhi and Walton met at Jim Hoover Field for an annual battle. The game pits two of the finest coaches in the state — Walton’s Hoover and Delhi’s Dave Kelly. They are the top-two winningest football coaches in Section Four history and, between them, have more than 550 victories in a combined 84 years of coaching.

Yikes!

The game was like many in the past. Hard-hitting, defensive and a couple of big plays to separate the two. In the end, it was Walton which came out on top, 28-18.

That victory gave Hoover a 29-13 edge over his Route 10 rival.

Though, I’ll admit, I didn’t roam as much as I had hoped for this photo essay, I did capture, I believe a feeling of this game. So, below, are some of my favorite images from the game.

Tough catch.

Too high.

No room to run.

Getting away.

Pass attempt.

Just out of the reach.

Coach Jim Hoover.

Coach Dave Kelly.

Tackled.

On the Walton sideline.

On the Delhi sideline.

Breaking away from the pack.

Game over.

Feel free to leave a comment, or e-mail P.J. at hoohaablog [at] gmail.com. Also, please “Like” HooHaa Blog on Facebook!

I’m a baseball guy.

I always have been and always will be. I can watch pretty much any baseball game and be happy. The same can’t be said about football.

Despite, at one point, being the beat writer at a newspaper for high school football, I’ve never been much of a football guy. I can enjoy a game and high school is fun to watch and cover. I learned a lot over the years being the football guy at the one paper I worked for. But, the intricate details still evade me.

I’m a Colts fan, so I pay attention to them. I don’t mind a couple of other teams, such as the Packers and Giants, so I’ll somewhat pay attention to what they do. Outside of that, I’m pretty oblivious to football at the pro level.

With colleges, it’s even worse. I like Notre Dame. I’ll watch them most of the time, but I can’t usually name you starters or anything like that. I just like Notre Dame. I don’t really watch much else when it comes to college football.

The way I used to see what was going on in football was through fantasy football. Having to prepare for a draft gave me the incentive to having a clue about football and who could or is a good player. The problem is, I often drafted with my heart more than my head.

During the year, I stuck with my team for the most part. Sure, I’d make a few moves on the free agent wire, but it would be very rare for me to actually make a trade. It wasn’t that I might not like another player, it was more about me thinking the guy I drafted would go crazy and become a fantasy stud if I traded him.

Oh the life of fantasy football owners.

This year, for the first time in more than a dozen years, I’m not in a fantasy football team.

For the most part, the decision was financially driven. The reality is, with my employment situation, paying $150 to play in a fantasy football league (one I co-founded, for the record) didn’t make any sense. I’ve had a partner the past few years, but he’s been needing to tighten the wallet a bit, too. We tried to find a third person to no avail, so I respectfully backed out of the league.

It wasn’t without great thought.

Another other offered to be a majority owner in my team. He basically said he would be a money backer and I would run the team as I saw fit and he’d not be involved (he really wouldn’t be able to be, considering he would have had money invested). In the end, he’d only cash in if I did anything to place.

It was a thoughtful and appreciated offer, but I turned it down.

See, truthfully, fantasy football has lost its luster in my eyes. I don’t pay attention enough. I don’t get into it like I used to and, honestly, it’s not as fun for me.

When we first started this league, the other commissioner did all the stats by hand and would send them to me. Then I’d turn them into a weekly story. I had fun with it. I’d poke at others and I’d make it entertaining — as much as I could. But as time wore on, we switched to CBS Sportsline, which took away the personal feel. Even a switch to Yahoo! (to save money) wasn’t going to bring back that personal feel.

So, without any regret, I stepped away.

This would have been the 10th year of that league. I would have liked to have been around for that year, but I’m just not into it. I won’t be upset knowing I don’t have to worry about lineups or trades or free agent deadlines or anything like that.

I don’t have to get any cold sweats wondering if I benched somebody or if there was a bye week or anything like that.

Instead, if I feel like watching a football game, I will.

And the beauty of it is I won’t worry about Peyton Manning or some other quarterback not having a great game. Or worry that my running back is barely getting any carries. Or that a wide receiver dropped two would-be touchdowns.

There’s no care that a certain defense allowed 24 points.

Or that a kicker sent two easy field goals wide right.

Nope, no worries.

I have to admit something, too. I’m happy about that. The past few years, I’ve lost interest in fantasy football — and, for the most part, fantasy sports in general. I don’t always pay attention and my entry fees become donations to winners. Sometimes the fees aren’t so bad, so you can somewhat deal with it. Or, the sports are such where if you catch it quick enough, you can right the ship.

Football isn’t either of those.

And so, I go this year without fantasy football. And I’m happy about it. The draft is usually decently fun, but it often drags. I didn’t have to sit through it. I also don’t have to worry about day-to-day or week-to-week operations of the team and the hope it will perform. And, I don’t have to worry about hoping to at least break even.

I know many people who are fanatical with this game. They do a lot — study the stats, watch everything etc. I’m not like that. The one year I won the league, I got on a great run and had a healthy team. That’s rare.

It’s safe to say my fantasy football days are behind me. When I originally decided to get out of it this year, I held it in the back of my mind that I would return next year. I have a feeling this is a more permanent thing for me. And I’m OK with that.

Feel free to leave a comment, or e-mail P.J. at hoohaablog [at] gmail.com. Also, please “Like” HooHaa Blog on Facebook!