Baseball Hall Of Fame – The Bull Durham Debacle

I think Bull Durham is one of the best baseball movies ever made.

This Spring, the Baseball Hall of Fame organized a celebration of the 15th Anniversary of the film’s release.

As the war in Iraq began to rage, things like baseball movies became rather insignificant, no matter how significant the movie itself seemed. Most public figures remained remarkably silent about the war, irrespective of their position. Silence was deemed to be patriotic, and nobody wants to be deemed unpatriotic.

Two of the film's stars, Tim Robbins and Susan Sarandon, were not silent about their positions on the war. Their voices rang loud and clear in a silent landscape, and they did not go unnoticed.

In a letter released to the media, Dale Petroskey, the President of the Hall of Fame wrote that the Bull Durham celebration would be cancelled because he believed Tim Robbins’ “ . . . very public criticism of President Bush at this important -- and sensitive -- time in our nation's history helps undermine the U.S. position, which ultimately could put our troops in even more danger. As an institution, we stand behind our President and our troops in this conflict."

His letter explained that public figures "have platforms much larger than the average American's, which provides you an extraordinary opportunity to have your views heard -- and an equally large obligation to act and speak responsibly." Therefore, Robbins would not have a platform at the Hall of Fame to talk about making a baseball movie.

It seems that in Mr. Petroskey’s view is that blind acceptance of the war in Iraq is the only responsible speech to be offered, and anyone who opposes the war has no place at the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

I have added the National Baseball Hall of Fame, Major League Baseball and its broadcasts, and MLB/MLBPA merchandise to my boycott list. Why? Because I believe that freedom of speech and expression of dissent are what make the Untied States unique, and any attempt to abridge these rights are patently un-American and need to be attacked. By giving my money to MLB, the MLBPA, and the Hall of Fame, I am saying that it is OK with me that they silence voices of dissent.

It is important for me to remember, too, that baseball makes more money from the television broadcasts than from gate receipts; so, refusing to tune-in is actually more important than avoiding the ballpark.

If you are similarly offended by baseball’s patently un-American activities, please consider a boycott and a letter to them to let them know what you think. If you agree with baseball’s position on the Bull Durham Debacle, you should let them know! I’m sure they’d appreciate hearing from you.

Here is a link to a Sports Illustrated article about the incident: SI Article

Baseball Hall Of Fame - Petroskey Letter

11 April 2003

Mr. Dale Petroskey
President
National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum
25 Main Street
Cooperstown, NY 13326


Dear Mr. Petroskey:

I write to you with a heavy heart.

All of my life baseball has been a haven from the daily grind. It is the form of entertainment upon which I most rely for a moment of escapism and peace and quiet. Baseball has always been a place for me to go and be with other baseball fans to talk baseball and leave behind the long day or week that has preceded the game.

I am a life-long baseball fan. I started attending games at Fenway Park in 1966 and every summer I attend scores of games at every level from Little League to Major League, from Central Park to Keyspan Park at Coney Island to Shea Stadium to Yankee Stadium to Fenway to any other park I can get to.

I have traveled to Cooperstown every two or three years during my adult life (which accounts for seven trips at this point) on a pilgrimage to the Hall of Fame and Museum. Cooperstown and the Hall are like Mecca for me. They are a little slice of Heaven on Earth and I am forever grateful that they are there and I live close enough to make the trip. I have a fantasy that some year my wife will agree that we can plan to come to Cooperstown during Induction week. I'll bet that is the greatest of all baseball events outside a stadium.

Sadly, I will not be coming to Cooperstown anytime soon. Also, I plan to ask my friends and family to stay away from Cooperstown in general, and the Hall of Fame and Museum in particular.

I am appalled that you cancelled the anniversary screening of "Bull Durham" because you do not agree with the personal political positions of two of the actors in the film. Have you considered the political positions of the other actors in the film, the director, producer, distributor and all the others involved with the making of this brilliant film? Have you considered that others besides the two actors you vilify might have a vested interest in the celebration? Have you considered that America is a nation of greatness because voices of dissent are heard?

Your remark that the dissenting opinions of fellow Americans could endanger the brave troops fighting overseas is irresponsible. Your statements are much more offensive than any remarks made by voices supporting or opposing the war. Your position is dramatically more un-American and non-patriotic than any voice of dissent I have heard during these troubled times. This is America. All voices are heard, even when we disagree.

You are using your platform as the president of a great institution as a bully pulpit to further your own political agenda at the expense of the game of baseball. My resentment runs deeper than even I could have ever imagined. You are spoiling the game of baseball for your own political expedience.

You do the American flag, the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, Americanism, and the game of baseball a greater disservice than any criminal, traitor, or spit-baller in the history of our beloved game. How dare you defile our great game with your politicization and polarization?

You should make a public apology to all fans of the game and all Americans about this irresponsible action.

I will stay away from Cooperstown and the Hall, and I will work diligently and vociferously to keep others away, until you resign from the position that you have so abused and besmirched. If you do not resign your position, and if the Hall keeps you on as president, I will stay away from Cooperstown indefinitely.

I may be only one voice, but mine is a voice that will speak out against you and your abuse of power until you are no longer in a professional position related to our great pastime.

Sincerely,
Dick Mac

cc: Hall of Fame Board of Directors, individually
Cooperstown Chamber of Commerce

Baseball Hall Of Fame - Mailing Addresses

This is the list of all officers and directors of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. I wrote to each of these people individually and not one of them ever responded to me. I did receive a letter from the Coopoerstown Chamber of Commerce, and their support for Petroskey has led to my decision to boycott the entire town.

Mr. Dale Petroskey, President
National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum
25 Main Street
Cooperstown, NY 13326

Jane Forbes Clark, Chairman
Board of Directors
National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum
25 Main Street
Cooperstown, NY 13326

Joe Morgan, Vice Chairman
Board of Directors
National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum
25 Main Street
Cooperstown, NY 13326

Kevin S. Moore, Treasurer
Board of Directors
National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum
25 Main Street
Cooperstown, NY 13326

Paul Beeston
Board of Directors
National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum
25 Main Street
Cooperstown, NY 13326

William O. DeWitt Jr
Board of Directors
National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum
25 Main Street
Cooperstown, NY 13326

William L. Gladstone
Board of Directors
National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum
25 Main Street
Cooperstown, NY 13326


David D. Glass
Board of Directors
National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum
25 Main Street
Cooperstown, NY 13326

John L. Harrington
Board of Directors
National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum
25 Main Street
Cooperstown, NY 13326

Bowie K. Kuhn
Board of Directors
National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum
25 Main Street
Cooperstown, NY 13326

Leland S. MacPhail
Board of Directors
National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum
25 Main Street
Cooperstown, NY 13326

John J. McHale
Board of Directors
National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum
25 Main Street
Cooperstown, NY 13326

Robin E. Roberts
504 Terrace Hill Rd.
Temple Terrace, FL 33617

Brooks C. Robinson Jr
P.O. Box 1168
Baltimore, MD 21203

Frank Robinson
15557 Aqua Verde Dr.
Los Angeles, CA 90024

G. Thomas Seaver
1761 Diamond Mountain Rd.
Calistoga, CA 94515


Allan H. Selig
Board of Directors
National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum
25 Main Street
Cooperstown, NY 13326

Edward W. Stack
Board of Directors
National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum
25 Main Street
Cooperstown, NY 13326

George M. Steinbrenner III
PO Box 25077
Tampa, FL 33622

Cooperstown Chamber of Commerce
31 Chestnut Street
Cooperstown, NY 13326