Jim Kaat Hosts Golf Tourney
Less than two months after earning baseball’s greatest honor, Jim Kaat returned to Cooperstown in support of some new Central New York friends.
Kaat, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame July 24 as part of the Class of 2022, served as the celebrity host for the Pathfinder Village/Baseball Hall of Fame Golf Invitational September 19 at the Leatherstocking Golf Course in Cooperstown.
As the master of ceremonies, Kaat — who won 283 games and 16 Gold Glove Awards during his record-setting 25-year big league career — was featured as the guest speaker at that evening’s fundraiser dinner.
The Pathfinder Village/Baseball Hall of Fame Golf Invitational began with a 12 p.m. shotgun start and featured a chance to win team prizes worth more than $6,500.
Proceeds from this event benefitted Pathfinder Village in Edmeston, a residential community dedicated to children and adults with Down syndrome and other developmental disabilities.
Proceeds also benefitted the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum educational programs, which enable the world-famous nonprofit institution to fulfill its educational mission and care for its priceless collections.
The tradition of a Hall of Famer as the master of ceremonies began in 2004.
“I think I have more memories reflecting on the Induction Ceremony,” Kaat said upon his return to Cooperstown. “Now when I think back, the thing that was the most enjoyable is that I got to share it with my grandkids, family, and a lot of close friends who were so happy for me. If I had been here alone, it woudn’t have been the same. So reflecting on it is still pretty cool.”