Behind The Wax – Exploring the National Pastime – Collectors are a unique group of people and you’ll find an enormous breadth of diversity among us. Some collect cards, others collect memorabilia, while yet others collect stories and the most exhaustive among us collect trivia even beyond the stories.
This past weekend The Baseball Reliquary in Pasadena, CA held their annual Shrine of the Eternals Induction Day, providing over 250 fans and collectors a unique chance to interact with baseball history.
The Reliquary is a non-profit organization dedicated to fostering an appreciation of American art and culture through the context of baseball history. The relics that are the namesake of the organization are on display as “collections” that travel across Southern California libraries and museums.
Of course, you can’t call yourself a Reliquary and carry simply the usual jerseys, hats, gloves, and plaques of baseball legends. The unique items in their collections include little person Eddie Gaedel’s athletic supporter, a game-worn San Diego Chicken suit and , even a Babe Ruth hot dog! With all these treasures, cards almost become an after-thought, but they have those too, in the form of artist Bill Kuhrman’s Defaced Baseball Cards exhibit.
However, the day at hand wasn’t about artifacts so much as it was about the people who enjoy and love the game. The festivities commenced with an excellent rendition of the National Anthem as well as “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” (full lyrics, not just the 7th Inning Stretch!), all overseen by officiant and founder Terry Cannon. Then the Reliquary bequeathed two awards for contributions to the history of the sport.
The Hilda Award for distinguished service to the game by a baseball fan was awarded to Tom Derry of Detroit for his work creating the Navin Field Grounds Crew. In 2010 this group began to clean up and restore the historic site that was the original home of Tiger Stadium, and host to some of baseball’s greatest moments. During his speech, Tom mentioned the city finally stepping in and moved to replace the tended grass outfield with astro turf. This announcement was met with resounding boos from the crowd.
The Tony Salin Memorial Award for commitment to preserving the history of the game went to local photographer and archiver Neftalie Williams. He worked tirelessly interviewing every living African-American baseball player from the first 25 years after Major League Baseball’s racial integration.
Following the awards presentations was a keynote address from baseball writer Michael Fallon.
This was then followed by the induction of this year’s Shrine of the Eternals members.
While the biggest names of the day, Don Newcombe and Bo Jackson, were unable to attend, they did have noted guests to introduce and accept on behalf of both athletes. Most noteworthy was Los Angeles Dodgers Team Historian Mark Langill, who shared personal stories from Newcombe about his experiences in the league off the field.
The last inductee was in attendance, despite being 94 years of age. Sportswriter Arnold Hano wrote the classic baseball book A Day In The Bleachers. It details his eyewitness account of Game One of the 1954 World Series. Not only did the day feature one of baseball’s immortal plays, “The Catch”, but Hano’s first-person account became a model for reporting on sports.
Hano was an entertaining and lively speaker. He spoke of strike zones and umpire abuse, while at the same time bemoaning those who want “computer strike zones” (more boos from the staid baseball purists in the crowd at the mention of digital strike zones). He shared stories of riding the bus across town to games when he was barely five years old in Manhattan in the 1920s.
Most revealing, he spoke of seeing The Babe play first-hand, in his prime, and how no player ever had the composure, strength, and stature Ruth exhibited. Hano pointed this out in contrast to the drunk and slovenly depiction we are so often given these days, saying yes that period occurred, but even then he was still intimidating to every pitcher in the league.
The program concluded with refreshments and the chance to mingle. The crowd was an eclectic mix of documentary filmmakers, retirees, young Dodgers fans, and one gentleman rocking a Colt .45’s jersey that was the envy of every fan.
For my part, I thoroughly enjoyed the event, and look forward to joining the Reliquary as a member myself. It is well worth my $25 to support such a cause, and I can only hope that, with my support, one day Kris Bryant’s athletic supporter will be on display next to The Biggest Man in Baseball at a Reliquary exhibit.
WATCH: Behind The Wax – Exploring the National Pastime at the Baseball Reliquary
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