Today is a very significant day in the Museum's history as we open ¡Viva Baseball!” said Hall of Fame President Jeff Idelson. Over the last 30 years, perhaps nothing has impacted baseball more than the rise of the Latino star and the number of Latino players making important contributions to the game every day.
The Hall of Fame's new exhibit ¡Viva Baseball! is made possible in part with support from: the Chicago White Sox, the Kansas City Royals, the Otesaga Resort Hotel and Museum supporters Bob Crotty, Bill and Millie Gladstone, Steve, Brian and Mark Lainoff and Ed and Chris Stack. The exhibit is a permanent addition to the Museum's second floor.
Roberto Clemente became the first Latino elected to the Hall of Fame in 1973 and has since been joined by Martin Dihigo, Jose Mendez, Tony Perez and Cristobal Torriente (Cuba); from the Dominican Republic – Juan Marichal; from Panama Rod Carew; from Puerto Rico Orlando Cepeda; and from Venezuela Luis Aparicio.
To be here today, we went through some obstacles and we are very, very pleased,” said Cepeda. “I am proud to be Puerto Rican and grateful to the Hall of Fame for this wonderful day.
¡Viva Baseball! features nearly 150 artifacts and a state-of-the-art multi-media presentation celebrating the passion of the Latin love affair with baseball, spanning nearly 150 years of history. The exhibit focuses on the rich baseball traditions of the major baseball-playing countries of the region: Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Puerto Rico and Venezuela. In video interviews located throughout the exhibit, Latin American Hall of Famers and major league All-Stars provide first-hand accounts for playing in their homeland, their journey to the major leagues and insight into what makes Caribbean baseball special.
Some of the historic artifacts from ¡Viva Baseball! include: A ball from the first organized pro season in the United States from 1871, used in a game that featured Cuban Esteban Bellan, the first Latin American big leaguer; a jersey from Puerto Rico’s Roberto Clemente; a glove and cap from Hall of Fame pitcher Juan Marichal of the Dominican Republic; a jersey worn by Hector Espino, the “Mexican Babe Ruth”; and jerseys and equipment from current Latin American superstars like Albert Pujols, David Ortiz and Johan Santana.
For so many years, so many Latin players played baseball in American in the major leagues, and ¡Viva Baseball! is something that creates so much happiness for not only Latin players but for the fans,” said Marichal. “I think it is so important at this time to have something here in Cooperstown.”
The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum is open seven days a week year round, with the exception of Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years Day. From Memorial Day through Labor Day, the Museum is open from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m. seven days a week. The Museum observes off-season hours of 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. from the day after Labor Day until Memorial Day Weekend. Ticket prices are $16.50 for adults (13 and over), $11 for seniors (65 and over) and for those holding current memberships in the VFW, Disabled American Veterans, American Legion and AMVets organizations, and $6 for juniors (ages 7-12). Members are always admitted free of charge and there is no charge for children 6 years of age or younger. For more information, visit our Web site at baseballhall.org or call 888-HALL-OF-FAME (888-425-5633) or 607-547-7200.
The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum opened its new permanent exhibit ¡Viva Baseball! on Saturday, May 23. From left, Roberto Clemente Jr., Hall of Famer Orlando Cepeda and Hall of Famer Juan Marichal helped celebrate the new exhibit at the ribbon-cutting ceremony. (Photo by Milo Stewart Jr./National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum)
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