Idelson aims for smooth Hall transition, induction

By GREG KLEIN • Special to www.AllOTSEGO.com

The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum will have an encore from its former leader, as Jeff Idelson returned May 15, as interim president.

Idelson, who left the Hall in 2019, after 25 years, including more than 12 as president, replaced Tim Mead, his hand-picked successor. Mead left mid-May, saying the isolation from his family in Southern California during the coronavirus pandemic made him unable to stay at the Hall.

Idelson said in an interview Monday, May 24, that he was called by Hall of Fame Chair Jane Forbes Clark following Mead’s resignation. Clark asked Idelson to be a steward for the Hall and guide it through the induction season while it looked for a full-time leader.

“I care deeply for the Hall of Fame and the institution it represents,” Idelson said, “so when I got the call from Jane, I felt honored to be able to come back and bridge the gap to the next president and provide a smooth transition through the induction.”

Idelson said he felt for Mead, who was far from his family and burdened with an unusual string of Hall of Famer deaths to mourn during his two-year tenure as president.

“I certainly understand his reasons for going back to Southern California,” Idelson said.

“Heaven has gotten an all Hall of Fame lineup, with a full rotation, the past year,” he continued.

Idelson said he is not involved with the search to replace Mead, but since he began May 15, he has been immersed in operations.

Idelson said his strength is his familiarity with the staff.

“The Hall of Fame is a well-oiled machine because of its dedicated, compassionate staff and Jane Clark as chairman at the helm,” he said.

Idelson said he thought the Hall weathered the coronavirus pandemic fairly well, and has seen a small rebound in visitors this season.

“The Hall has done an incredible job during COVID in making the museum safe for our visitors, and I think that is reflected in the number of visits we have gotten. Our customers trust us to take their safety into account,” Idelson said.

“Of course, we would like to see the attendance numbers rebound, just like everyone else about now,” he said.

Idelson has been living in San Francisco, where he and his partner in Grassroots Baseball, Jean Fruth, have been finishing up a project about historic Route 66. Idelson said by going along one of America’s most famous roads, they were able to document the grassroots strength of the game.

“It is remarkable to see how strong volunteerism is making baseball,” Idelson said. “It is strong in many of the towns that dot the road.”

Idelson said he loves living in a big city again; he lived in Boston and New York City before moving to Cooperstown.

“I certainly miss Cooperstown … and all of my friends here,” he said, “but living in a major city again has been a nice transition.”

Now Idelson will return the favor to his old employer, allowing time to find a successor to Mead and helping it stage a pandemic-affected induction. No players were chosen for induction in 2021, but inductees from 2020, Derek Jeter, Ted Simmons, Larry Walker and the late Marvin Miller will be inducted Sunday, July 25, in a special television program.

According to Idelson, the broadcast will be held in a custom-made studio in the area and shown on the MLB Network and www.mlb.com.

Idelson’s main job is to make the event a success.

“I flew in on a Tuesday, hit the ground running on a Wednesday and I am happily knee deep in Hall of Fame Weekend now,” he said.