Ozzie Smith and Fred McGriff promote baseball and educational upliftment
Twenty-two years after his Hall of Fame induction, the Wizard is still creating magic in Cooperstown.
National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum Education Ambassador Ozzie Smith will host Turn Two with Ozzie Smith on Friday, July 19, from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Cooperstown’s Doubleday Field. Ozzie will welcome fellow Hall of Famers Jim Kaat, Fred McGriff, and Scott Rolen as his guests during a fun-filled morning that will give fans a unique chance to experience on-field moments and stories with Hall of Famers.
Turn Two is a museum fundraiser that supports the Hall of Fame’s educational mission and internship scholarships. Participants will receive on-field, round-robin interaction with the Hall of Famers, along with special mementos to commemorate their experience.
The event will begin with an exclusive morning reception in the Hall of Fame Plaque Gallery with Ozzie and his Hall of Fame friends. Following the light breakfast in the iconic Plaque Gallery, Turn Two participants will receive a commemorative gift to be autographed by all Hall of Famers present before heading to historic Doubleday Field.
There, participants will receive nonstop interaction, featuring stories and instruction—along with photos—from some of the greatest players the game has known.
Turn Two supports the Hall of Fame’s educational mission and the Ozzie Smith Diversity Scholarships for the museum’s Frank and Peggy Steele Internship Program for Youth Leadership Development. Since 2002, the program has raised more than $200,000 for the museum’s initiatives.
Smith, known through his 19-year career as The Wizard of Oz, won a record 13 Gold Glove Awards at shortstop and was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2002.
Kaat, inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2022, was a three-time All-Star and 16-time Gold Glove Award winner who won 283 games over 25 years in the big leagues.
McGriff, a Class of 2023 inductee, was a five-time All-Star who amassed 10 30-homer seasons. The cleanup hitter on the 1995 World Series champions the Atlanta Braves, McGriff finished in the top 10 of his league’s Most Valuable Player Award voting in six straight seasons between 1989 and 1994.
Rolen, elected to the Hall of Fame in 2023, won eight Gold Glove Awards at third base and was named to seven All-Star Games. The unanimous selection as the 1997 National League Rookie of the Year, Rolen helped lead the Cardinals to their 2006 World Series title.
Turn Two is part of the July 19-22 Hall of Fame Weekend activities that will be highlighted by the July 21 induction ceremony, where Adrian Beltré, Todd Helton, Jim Leyland, and Joe Mauer will be inducted as the class of 2024.
A limited number of spaces for Turn Two remain, and a reservation is required. Event pricing is $1,000 per person. Reserve spots now by calling 607-547-0385. For more information on membership, please visit baseballhall.org/join.
The Museum maintains the following Hall of Fame Weekend hours: Friday, July 19: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday, July 20: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, July 21: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.; and Monday, July 22: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. As always, Hall of Fame Members receive free admission. Ozzie Smith and Fred McGriff promote baseball and educational upliftment
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