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Museum warms up for tribute to slugger
By KEITH NIEBUHR, Times Staff Writer
CITRUS HILLS -- Not long after Dave McCarthy became executive director of the Ted Williams Museum and Hitters Hall of Fame in November, locals began asking him if the museum would be moved to Boston, where the late Williams spent his entire playing career. He told them not to worry. "We definitely want to have a Boston presence, but we're staying right here in Citrus County," McCarthy said. "This is where we want to be." Williams, who lived only a few minutes from the museum, will be inducted into the hall bearing his name Sunday at the 10th annual inductions ceremony. He'll be joined by Wade Boggs, Dom DiMaggio, Tony Gwynn and Pete Rose. Boggs and DiMaggio, a former Red Sox teammate of Williams, will attend the function, which also will serve as a tribute to Williams, who died last summer. Because Williams was a veteran, the Hall will present military achievement awards for the first time. McCarthy, a 27-year member of the New Hampshire state police, met Williams at the 1986 World Series, and the two quickly became friends. During the last years of Williams' life, McCarthy ran Williams' security team. "It's exciting," McCarthy said. "But I'm a little bit nervous right now." McCarthy is optimistic that the museum has a bright future. He said there were plans to reach out to area children to teach them about the game's history, and he hopes that wings will be added to honor players with military backgrounds, former Negro League players and players with Hispanic heritage. To generate funds for those projects, McCarthy said, he wants to chase more corporate dollars in the future. A traveling version of the museum will make appearances at spring training games to promote the hall. And McCarthy, who splits time between Citrus Hills and New Hampshire, also intends to host fundraisers for the museum in Boston. "I'm very optimistic," McCarthy said. "There's no question we're going to be bigger and better." McCarthy said the museum was doing fine financially, despite Williams' death. The annual dinner for inductees tonight is sold out, and an estimated 2,000 people are expected to attend Sunday's ceremony, which begins at noon. McCarthy has vowed to make the museum more fan-friendly. For the first time since the early days of the inductions, he said, the hall will set up autograph tables, which he hopes will add to the experience. "That was my No. 1 priority," McCarthy said. "I have kids, and I know how important that is. . . . I see a home run this season." TED WILLIAMS MUSEUM AND HITTERS HALL OF FAMEWHAT: The 10th annual inductions ceremony. WHEN: Noon Sunday. WHERE: Ted Williams Museum, 2455 N Citrus Hills Blvd., Hernando. ADMISSION: $35 for first-come, first-served seating under the main tent adjacent to the museum. The cost includes a commemorative yearbook. Tickets can be purchased at the museum or by calling the museum. Players will be available for autographs after the inductions ceremony. People without tickets will not be allowed on the grounds. INDUCTEES: Ted Williams, Wade Boggs, Dom DiMaggio, Tony Gwynn and Pete Rose. OTHER AWARD WINNERS: Splendid Splinter: Barry Bonds (National League), Jim Thome (American League). Rookie of the Year: Austin Kearns (N.L.), Eric Hinske (A.L.). SCHEDULED TO ATTEND: Boggs, DiMaggio, Gwynn, Thome and Kearns. NOTES: This year's event will serve as a tribute to Williams, who died at age 83 on July 5, 2002. He was a longtime Citrus County resident. . . . Boston Red Sox shortstop Nomar Garciaparra will be among the featured speakers. . . . Organizers expect several former standouts to attend, including Bob Feller, Monte Irvin and Johnny Pesky. Rose has a scheduling conflict and likely won't attend. PERFORMER: U.S. Navy band. FOR INFORMATION: Call 527-6566.
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