Cooperstown Confidential: Heroes, Rogues, and the Inside Story of the Baseball Hall of Fame

Cooperstown Confidential:

Heroes, Rogues, and the Inside Story of the Baseball Hall of Fame

 By Zev Chafets

Chafets’ examination of the history of the institution that is supposed to represent the best of the American pastime, comes at an intriguing juncture when the sport is really at a crossroads especially regarding performance-enhanced drugs and their affect on long-standing records and of course the game itself. What role does character play play in baseball? Do Mark McGwire, Roger Clemens and Barry Bonds deserve an asterisk, should they get voted into the Hall of Fame?

The veteran author, in providing an illuminating history of the hall going back to humble origins in Cooperstown, New York, discusses what he sees as the moral shortcomings of players voted into the hall that were racist, alcoholics, misanthropes and flat out-cheaters. He shines a heavy light on those he views with dubious integrity such members as Jimmy Foxx, John McGraw and Kirby Puckett.

Speaking of race, while he points out prejudices in the game from the era of Jackie Robinson and the Negro Leagues, Chafets also writes about the dwindling number of blacks playing in the majors compared to just a decade ago.

Well-researched, based on interviews with players, critics and advocates among others, the former New York Daily News columnist scores with his ability to make readers want to take another look at those bronze plaques behind the inductees, knowing that the Hall of Fame ‘doesn’t enshrine saints, and it never has. It enshrines baseball greatness. And for millions of people who love the game, that’s more than enough.’

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