Baseball's Biggest League

The Museum of Natural History threw out the first pitch of the 2002 season as the "Baseball As America" exhibit?a split squad of the National Baseball Hall of Fame's giant collection?made its first stop on a four-year road trip. More than 500 of Cooperstown's 35,000+ legendary artifacts are on display uptown.

Before viewing baseball's relics at the March 12 press preview, I took a tour of the "Hot Dogs As America" concession in the press-conference room. It was 10 in the morning, so I passed on the "Milwaukee Brat" dipped in "Secret Stadium Sauce" and the "Fenway Frank," even though it was boiled and grilled "Fenway-style." While the "New York Deli Dog" sounded enticing, the "Cincinnati Cheese Coney" (piled with chili powder-, paprika-, nutmeg-, chocolate- and cinnamon-laced chili and cheddar, onions and mustard) did not. Big Red Machine indeed.

Yankee organist Eddie Layton played "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" as veteran announcer Bob Wolff stepped up to the mic to introduce the real gems of this collection: nearly three lineup cards' worth of Hall-of-Famers on hand to celebrate the exhibit. Wolff, who called Don Larsen's World Series perfect game, related the stars' accomplishments as they ambled up to their riser seats: Slaughter, Duke, Schoendienst, Spahn, Mazeroski, Brock, Kell, Gibson, Feller. "I'm announcing the greatest lineup of my life," beamed Wolff. Kiner, Aaron, Morgan, Phil "Knucksie" Niekro, Marichal, Cepeda, Irvin, Brooks Robinson, Perez, Mr. Cub, Stan Musial?the rarity who played his whole career with one team?took a few air swings of the bat, while Steve Carlton, with wraparound shades and snapping gum, looked like he had a noon flight to Miami. Ozzie looked bookish; Winfield suave as ever. Sparky Anderson is still one of the dapperest in the business, and the only manager to win the Series in both leagues.

Henry Aaron took the mic and thanked exhibit sponsors "Enron & Young" (good for him?I'd like those beancounters from Ernst & Young smack a homer). We were then directed upstairs to the exhibit proper, where the Famers would be available for interviews. On the elevator up I stood next to a press-badged woman whose pad noted: "Hank Aaron, Atlanta, Beat Babe Ruth's Record, 715." Which was appropriate, because the exhibit is for everyone, from those who just discovered who Aaron is to the most rabid of fans.

There's pop culture?movie clips and props, Abbott & Costello doing "Who's on First?" Also the bats McGwire and Sosa used to break Roger Maris' record. For the mainstream fan there's assorted Ruthiana, Yogi's glove, Jackie's jersey and that ultra-elusive Honus Wagner tobacco card, one of which sold for $1.2 million at auction. History buffs will dig seeing President Wilson on the cover of the 1917 World Series program or FDR's "Green Light Letter" to Baseball Commissioner Kenesaw Mountain Landis, which urged him to keep baseball going during the war. Cultural types will appreciate the race- and integration-related items, nerds might enjoy the "Invention & Ingenuity" section and entrepreneurs can see what's in it for them in the "Enterprise & Opportunity" display.

Among the most moving items are samples of letters Aaron received as he chased, and ultimately broke, Babe Ruth's home-run record in 1974. The exhibition shows two letters, one supportive, one menacing, taken from the torrent of mail, much of it bitterly racist, Aaron got. During the pursuit, his life and his kids' safety were threatened; his daughter needed FBI protection in college. After retiring, Aaron maintained a decidedly low profile, and though he worked in the Braves' front office, he essentially dropped out of sight for years. I asked 2001 HoF inductee Dave Winfield why he thought Aaron finally came around to the sport and the public.

"Time," said Winfield. "Aaron eventually got a lot of opportunity, and a lot of respect... And the celebrations surrounding the 25th anniversary of his breaking the record, and the president's involvement, told him, 'Your contributions are important'... But time, time can heal wounds." Before leaving to troll for more players, I, a former San Diegan, told Winfield: "You made my day when you went into the Hall as a Padre." I was hoping for some big-league Steinbrenner bashing or something, but he just grinned and shrugged, "My first team, you know." "The Padres don't get that much glory thrown their way," I noted. "I know about that," he said.

I walked around the exhibit some more, saw a photo of Mennonite kids playing ball, Uncle Sam on the cover of a 1908 The Baseball Magazine and a seated Ralph Kiner. Wanted to make sure he'd be announcing Mets games this season, but the line waiting to talk to him was too long. Same for Aaron, who was speaking to a big mic, camera and lights. Joe Morgan was talking 9/11 to one reporter, Marichal was speaking Spanish to another. He was much shorter than I'd imagined him to be; I figured that one leg alone would be about six feet.

Finally landed upon a seated Earl Weaver, one of my all-time favorite baseball characters, who looked decidedly less short-fused in person. Since he was once known as the archnemesis of umpires, I asked him what he thought of today's men in blue.

"You know," he said, "in 1968 I was told?told?that the umpiring had never been worse. All the time I thought it was pretty good." So why the terrible reputation? "Look, my livelihood was predicated on how many wins and losses I had... If a game was close, and a call really bothered me, I tried to get the last word in... Maybe an umpire would say, 'Lookit, I blew it, get outta here.' 'Well, my job may be in jeopardy,' I'd tell him." He took a pause. "I thought they did a tremendous job."

And so have the Hall of Fame and Museum of Natural History. "Baseball As America" runs through Aug. 18. Call 769-5200 or visit www.amnh.org to order tickets.

?

PREDICTIONS: Speaking of the Hall of Fame, those on-deck inductees Piazza and Alomar will lead the Mets to the NL East title, and for once, Leiter's rotationmates won't preclude it. Edmonds, Tino and the Cards take the Central, and can't think of a reason why the Diamondbacks won't repeat in the West. The Braves'll be the Wildcard.

It'll be the Yankees in the AL East?can't watch 'em lose if they're not in it?and Thomas, Valentin, Lofton and all the White Sox for the Central. The Mariners'll take the West, with Pedro, Nomy and the Duquette-less Red Sox grabbing the Wildcard.

What the hell, let's have the Red Sox and Mets in the Series. Mets win in six, proving 1986 was not a fluke.