Thanks for 10 great years

Today is my final day as the Observer-Dispatch’s sports editor, so this will be the final entry to my blog.

I want to thank everyone for reading my musings, and for all the feedback – good and bad.

No one can ever convince me that there is a better sports area in the country than Central New York. And it has been a privilege to cover all the great events our home has to offer.

 

I thank you – from the bottom of my heart!

2:36 p.m.: Game canceled

Officials announced the Hall of Fame Game has been canceled.
Rain continued to fall at Doubleday Field, and lightning was seen several times. Hail was also failling.
Fans holding tickets can receive a refund by sending a request to the address on the ticket.
 

2:35 p.m.: Storm coming

The Hall of Fame Game had been rescheduled for at 2:30 p.m. start, but rain again fell at Doubleday Field and lightning was seen just to the north of the field.
Padres pitcher Greg Maddux presented the jersey he wore during his 350th victory to Hall of Fame officials just as the rain began. The tarp, however, did not come out this time -- leaving most of the field soaked with rain.

2:17 p.m.: National anthem sung

The national anthem was performed at 2:17 p.m., and the tarps were taken off the field three minutes later.
However, the black clouds continued to roll in from the north, and thunder could be heard in the distance.
Players continued to warm up in anticipation of a 2:30 p.m. start of the Fame Game.

2 p.m.: Total downpour

For about 10 minutes starting at 1:50 p.m., torrential rain and hail pelted Doubleday Field and the fans waiting for the Hall of Fame Game between the Padres and the Cubs.
The tarp on the field was littered with puddles, the basepaths turned into a quagmire and almost all the fans -- save those in the grandstand -- exited the stadium.
The sun came out and the rain ceased at about 2 p.m., but another ominous cloud to the north of Doubleday Field threatened to bring more rain. However, officials announced at 2:07 p.m. that the game would begin at 2:30 p.m.

1:43 p.m.: Fans asked to leave Doubleday Field

At 1:43 p.m., officials asked fans to exit Doubleday Field -- which was filled nearly to capacity at that point -- and seek shelter because of "imminent severe weather."
Officials said the Hall of Fame Game between the Cubs and Padres would start as soon as the weather improved. It was orginally scheduled to begin at 2 p.m.
But as fans began to file out, officials announced that fans seated in the grandstand behind home plate could remain in their seats -- bringing a loud cheer from those fans and a chorus of boos from those seated in the uncovered bleacher seats down the first and third base lines and in the outfield.
Rain continuedto fall at Doubleday Field, and lightning was visible throughout the area.

Bud Black back in Cooperstown

San Diego Padres manager Bud Black traveled to Cooperstown for the Hall of Fame Game three times as a player, so Black had some good advice for his team before Monday's game against the Cubs.
"My message to them was not to think about it as losing an off day or the travel time," said Black, whose team played in Cleveland on Sunday before traveling to Cooperstown on Sunday night. "You should enjoy the opportunity to be here."
Black also attended the induction of former Royals teammate George Brett in 1999 and said the loss of the Hall of Fame Game does nothing to diminish the value of the Hall of Fame.
"I don't know that one game can change what Cooperstown means to baseball," Black said. "It's just a great place to be."