Cooperstown, Saturday, June 28 at 1 PM, the game began. It was a nasty mix-up of two teams that really had problems with each other from last year. It was a grudge match in which the Albany Shaskys pulled out a 9th inning 9-8 win over the Harlem Shaskys. Tony Grocki crossed the plate for the winning run in a game that saw bright sunshine, rain, and just plain hatred in the air with 100% humidity at game time. During the seventh inning stretch, both teams came out to the plate to serenade the vast crowd at Abner Doubleday Field with the most heartfelt rendition of "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" that has ever been documented. There was a spillover crowd in attendance from Baseball Hall of Fame's brisk business from nextdoor to tourists worldwide. The Harlem Shaskys pitcher literally kicked dirt at both umpires at one time or another during the game. The catcher was equally as beligerant as his counterpart on the mound. With news crews, local TV coverage, and thousands of cameras filming the event, the Harlem Shaskys continued to jeer, aggravate, and entertain the crowd like you've never seen at a ball game. These were the funniest and coolest guys that I've ever played baseball with. It was like the Harlem Globetrotters, not the Harlem Shaskys.
Best baseball game that was ever played in baseball history thanks to both teams.
