Cooperstown Credentials - A. Bartlett Giamatti Research Center

"There is nothing bad in baseball. It's the best of our national pastime." - A. Bartlett Giamatti

Last week, I inadvertently published two Cooperstown Credentials posts, so I’m looking for something fresh this week. Reflecting on the Baseball Hall of Fame, the A. Bartlett Giamatti Research Center keeps coming to mind. It’s a part of the Hall that many fans might overlook, but it houses over 3 million documents that dive deep into baseball’s history, beyond the plaques and memorabilia.

Why is this resource so important? Because baseball is more than just a game—it reflects American society, culture, and history. The Research Center preserves the stories behind the scenes, like contracts, front office documents, scouting reports, and photographs. These materials help us see how baseball evolved alongside events like the Great Depression, World War II, and the Civil Rights Movement.