Ted Williams Museum to induct Foster, Jenkins
By DAWN REISS
Published March 16, 2005
HERNANDO - Five-time National League All-Star George Foster knows the first thing he'd do if he was the Major League Baseball commissioner: reinstate Pete Rose.
"That, and I'd cater baseball more to kids," Foster said. "With the late night games, you don't see as many kids in the ballpark."
Foster may not get the chance to be commissioner but will have an opportunity to see the Ted Williams Museum for the first time. Foster, along with many other baseball notables, are being honored tonight during the 12th annual Ted Williams Museum Induction Ceremony, which is being held in Fort Myers for the first time.
Foster and Cy Young winner Ferguson Jenkins will be inducted into the museum's Hall of Fame, then will come to Citrus County to sign autographs at the museum from 2-4 p.m. Friday.
"Initially, I was surprised," Foster said of the honor. "To be inducted into the Ted Williams Museum is quite a treat because you're in with a group of guys who are the cream of the crop."
Among the athletes to be recognized at the ceremony are Manny Ramirez, Albert Pujols, Brooks Robinson, Jason Bay, Bobby Crosby, former Hernando High star Bronson Arroyo and Kevin Millar. John Henry, principal owner of the World Champion Boston Red Sox, will receive the Ted Williams Lifetime Achievement award.
The museum announced in October that the ceremony would be moved to Fort Myers. With the death of Williams and the long drive to an airport, the museum was having a difficult time drawing athletes to the event, said executive director Dave McCarthy.
Organizing a weekend of dinners, a golf tournament and the induction was too time-consuming and not cost effective. Logistically, Fort Myers is easier. There's an airport, and the Red Sox have spring training there.
"It's a lot easier now for players to make a brief appearance," McCarthy said. "It enabled us to get a lot more athletes to the event because in past we had to fly people in and get people to drive them up to the museum."
McCarthy hoped the move increased the fan base and raised more money for the museum.
The plan seems to be working. McCarthy said the museum has sold more than 600 tickets of the 700 maximum compared to last year's Citrus County event (285 tickets).
The biggest difference is the profit margin, which dwindled after the museum compensated 110-120 tickets last year compared to 50 this time.
McCarthy said many tickets were compensated last year because of the number of volunteers needed to assist with preparations and entertainment, including driving around athletes.
The change in venue has allowed the museum to offer more events locally than in previous years.
Instead of one large annual event, the museum - which has had appearances from Monte Irvin, Arroyo and the World Series trophy - hopes to have at least five this season in the county.