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Tigers Fan-Favorite Todd Jones Headed To Cooperstown For Hall of Fame Classic, May 24

(COOPERSTOWN, NY) – For every big leaguer, a trip to Cooperstown is the ultimate dream.

For former Tigers fan-favorite Todd Jones, Cooperstown becomes a reality this Memorial Day Weekend when he suits up for the Hall of Fame Classic at the home of baseball. Jones, who saved 235 games in eight seasons on the mound with Detroit, will serve as the Tigers representative as one of 30 former major league players who will participate in this 75th Anniversary event for the Hall of Fame and Museum on Saturday, May 24.

The 2014 Hall of Fame Classic, presented by Ford Motor Company, will be played Saturday, May 24 at Cooperstown's historic Doubleday Field. Hall of Fame Members Roberto Alomar, Andre Dawson, Rollie Fingers, Eddie Murray, Phil Niekro and Ozzie Smith will serve as managers and coaches for the sixth annual Classic, with a roster of recently retired players representing the 30 Major League Baseball teams highlighting a new format change to this popular spring family event.

The enhanced Classic format, fueled by assistance from Major League Baseball in conjunction with the Museum's 75th anniversary season, will bring an infusion of new faces to the legends exhibition game, which will spotlight the return of the popular Home Run Derby at 1 p.m.  First pitch of the Classic is slated for 2:05 p.m. The Cooperstown Game Day Parade will showcase appearances by Hall of Fame Members and major league players on Main Street starting at 12 noon.

Game rosters are expected to feature a representation from each of the 30 major league teams. To date, the lineup for the 2014 Hall of Fame Classic features players who represent two Most Valuable Player Awards, three World Series MVPs, two All-Star Game MVPs, a combined 56 All-Star Game selections, 18 Gold Glove Awards, and a member of the 600 Home Run Club. Players scheduled to participate in the Classic as of April 2 include:

Vinny Castilla (Rockies)                        Scott Hatteberg (A's)                        Aaron Rowand (White Sox)
Brady Clark (Brewers)                        Livan Hernandez (Nationals)                Kirk Rueter (Giants)
Jeff Conine (Marlins)                        Todd Jones (Tigers)                        Reggie Sanders (Reds)
Adam Everett (Astros)                        Brad Lidge (Phillies)                        Mike Sweeney (Royals)
David Eckstein (Angels)                Hideki Matsui (Yankees)                Jim Thome (Indians)
Steve Garvey (Dodgers)                Carl Pavano (Twins)                        Dan Wheeler (Rays)
Alex Gonzalez (Blue Jays)                Kerry Robinson (Cardinals)                Jack Wilson (Pirates)
Luis Gonzalez (D'Backs)                Ivan Rodriguez (Rangers)

Roster additions will be announced throughout the spring.

Tickets for the Hall of Fame Classic are $12.50 for first and third base seats and $11 for general admission outfield seats. Tickets are currently available via phone or online.

Two ticket packages for the Hall of Fame Classic and Night at the Museum are now available, but limited in quantity:

Classic Connection will feature Hall of Fame Classic ticket and a one-day Museum admission pass for just $12.50, a savings of $19.50 off the regular rate.
Legendary Twinbill features a Hall of Fame Classic ticket, a one-day Museum admission pass and a ticket to A Night at the Museum for $50.

Ticket packages and individual Game tickets are available by calling at 1-877-726-9028 or at www.baseballhall.org

Hall of Fame Classic Weekend features several family-friendly events on May 24. The Museum's BASE Race, celebrating healthy living, moves from its August date to the morning of May 24, with the 10K race beginning at 8 a.m. and the 5K race starting at 8:15 a.m. Both races will start and conclude at Doubleday Field. Registration for the BASE Race is $25 in advance for individuals and $50 for families and includes a ticket to the 2014 Hall of Fame Classic. To register, please call 607-547-0397 or visit baseballhall.org/BASERace.

Following the game on Saturday, the Hall of Fame will reprise its Night at the Museum program, which debuted to rave reviews in 2013. Hall of Fame legends and former players will greet fans throughout the Museum on Saturday evening beginning at 7 p.m. Legends participants will canvass the Museum during the course of a two-hour event that will bring the Museum to life with special programs, interactions and moderated discussions. Ticket availability for this evening event is limited. Night at the Museum is a no autograph event.
Three additional advance-registration opportunities also highlight Classic Weekend: the Legends for Youth Skills Clinic, hosted in conjunction with the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association, on Friday, May 23 from 4-7 p.m. at Doubleday Field for young fans ages 7-12; an exclusive photo opportunity with Hall of Fame members on Saturday, May 24 at 9 a.m.; and Family Catch, held on Doubleday Field, from 5:30-7 p.m. on Saturday, May 24. Pre-registration is required for all three opportunities. Family Catch can be reserved by calling 1-877-726-9028. The Clinic and photo opportunity can be reserved by calling 607-547-0397.

For golf enthusiasts interested in supporting the Hall of Fame's mission and outreach programs, the Cooperstown Golf Classic will return as part of the weekend, featuring the six Hall of Fame members, with a limited number of spots available for golfers at the beautiful Leatherstocking Golf Course on Otsego Lake. To reserve a spot in this exclusive golf outing, please call 607-547-0310.

The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum has teamed up with Sports Travel and Tours to offer baseball fans a one-stop opportunity to purchase Classic Weekend travel packages. For more information or to plan a trip to Cooperstown, please call 1-888-310-HALL (4255). Membership participants receive a 5% discount on all their baseball travel packages.

The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum is open seven days a week year round, with the exception of Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day. The Museum observes regular hours of 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. from Labor Day until Memorial Day Weekend. From Memorial Day through the day before Labor Day, the Museum is open from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m. seven days a week. Ticket prices are $19.50 for adults (13 and over), $12 for seniors (65 and over) and for those holding current memberships in the VFW, Disabled American Veterans, American Legion and AMVets organizations, and $7 for juniors (ages 7-12). Members are always admitted free of charge and there is no charge for children 6 years of age or younger.  For more information, visit our Web site at baseballhall.org or call 888-HALL-OF-FAME (888-425-5633) or 607-547-7200.

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