"Baseball Comes Home: A History Of The Baseball Hall Of Fame Game" by Dan Valenti

The book traces the 70-year series of the Baseball Hall of Fame Game beginning in 1939, the year the Hall of Fame opened with its initial inductees, to this year’s final scheduled tilt between the Chicago Cubs and San Diego Padres. The classic series began with a pickup game to mark Major League Baseball’s Centennial. That game featured Ruth, Lefty Grove, Honus Wagner, and other Hall of Famers and All Stars. The final game of the series was scheduled to be played at historic Cooperstown's Doubleday Field on June 16, 2008 but was canceled by an apocalyptic storm. In the book's final chapter, Valenti describes why this was the best possible ending that brought a sad end to such a glorious tradition.

Valenti has authored many baseball books, including “The Impossible Dream Remembered”, “Clout!”, and “Under a Grapefruit Sun.” He was awarded a lifetime pass to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in July 1989 for his contribution to baseball literature. His work has been widely cited and anthologized. Valenti is a frequent radio and TV guest. He hosted his own daily show for 14 years on WBRK AM-1340 (Pittsfield, MA) and for two years did a Boston Red Sox pre-game show for WUHN and WUPE radio. For many years, Valenti was business partner with Red Sox Hall of Fame Broadcaster Ken Coleman.

“Baseball Comes Home” documents in evocative text and stunning photos the game that annually paid tribute to baseball in the village that bears the honor of “Birthplace of Baseball.” The keepsake book will feature many photos from the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum archives that have never been published before.

The book is being published by CR Custom Publishing of Richfield Springs, NY.

“Baseball Comes Home” is listed at $23.00 plus S&H. The publisher is offering a 10% discount off the listed retail price until November 20, 2008. The book can also be ordered at: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it and through the link below.

NOTE: Dan Valenti is available for interviews by contacting Ken Drumm at (518) 797-3939 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .