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Former players return to Cooperstown for 2022 Hall of Fame Classic game

HOF Classic (mixed) WEB

COOPERSTOWN, NY (WSKG) — A few dozen former major league baseball players returned to the diamond in Cooperstown Saturday.

The game brings back a former player representing each of the 30 major league teams for an exhibition game at Cooperstown’s’ Doubleday field.

For many of the former players it was their first trip to the Hall of Fame, including Former Yankees right fielder Nick Swisher.

"To be able to be around Cooperstown, the Hall of Fame, it's my first time here. So bro, like my inner childhood self is trying to burst out of my chest right now man. This is absolutely indescribable and I'm so blessed to be part of this."

Nick Swisher played on the same team as his father, Steve Swisher, who played for the Chicago Cubs in the 70s and 80s. This year’s teams were coached by Hall of Famers Fergie Jenkins and Ozzie Smith.

Jenkins said it’s exciting to be around and see players from different generations and different teams play together.

"You can see that they have the ability to still perform, but the nice thing about it is they're a couple of years older, but they still have that love of the game in their heart," Jenkins said.

This was the first classic since 2019 due to the pandemic.

Vaughn Golden has been reporting across New York since 2016. Working as a freelancer while studying journalism and economics at Ithaca College, Vaughn has reported for a number of outlets including the Albany Times Union, New York Post, and NPR among others. Prior to coming to WSKG full-time, Vaughn was a reporter for the Watertown Daily Times. Vaughn now covers government and politics for WSKG.