Ozzie Smith Leads On-field Clinic in Cooperstown for 20th Year
COOPERSTOWN, NY. (Jul 21) — Dozens of fans young and old descended on Doubleday Field Friday morning for a dream experience with Hall of Fame legends. Ozzie Smith, for the 20th year, led an on-field instruction along with Eddie Murray, Larry Walker, and Dave Winfield in the annual Turn Two event.
The day began with a special breakfast in the Hall of Fame Plaque Gallery for the legends and the participants. Afterwards, everyone headed to Doubleday Field for the on-field festivities. Participants were split into four groups and rotated between each base, with Walker at home, Murray at first, Smith at second, and Winfield at third. Once they completed the full circuit, they headed to second base to “turn two” with Ozzie.
Smith has been part of this event all 20 years, with the other three positions being rotated. He like having “some degree of consistency, which you want to have in baseball, too.” But in addition, Smith said “in being able to bring different guys, it brings in a different flavor of the year.” In addition, it gives people the opportunity to hang with, see, and meet some guys from all the teams that they otherwise would not get a chance to meet.”
Rewarding Experience
The experience was rewarding for the fans, of course. But it was also rewarding for the legends. Smith, the chair of the Hall of Fame’s Education Department, said, “It’s rewarding to be able to help the Education Department here at the Hall of Fame. It takes money to make this thing work, so this is one of the ways I can contribute.” Walker called the event “the big thing.” He added, “Any time you get to see children and families, and we get to touch those people — we’re in a position that we get to do that.
“I’m not sure what’s gonna happen here today. I think we’re gonna talk and talk and answer some questions and discuss baseball. So we’re here in our uniforms, and we’re Hall of Famers. I always try to put myself in somebody else’s shoes. If I’m in these kids’ shoes, it’s probably a big deal for them. And it’s a big deal for me too. So it’s very meaningful to be here.”
Main Photo Credits:
COOPERSTOWN, NY (Jul 21) — Hall of Famers (L to R) Larry Walker, Ozzie Smith, Dave Winfield, and Eddie Murray are introduced prior to the 20th annual Turn Two fundraiser at Doubleday Field. (Photo by Evan Thompson/Sport Relay)
