March 2, 2010 — Hall of Fame

In 1935, a private foundation promoted the idea of a Baseball Hall of Fame as a means of re-invigorating the depressed economy of Cooperstown, N.Y.

To advance their cause, they proclaimed that a local Civil War hero had invented baseball there.

The story was false, but baseball officials supported the project anyway. The following year, Ty Cobb, Babe Ruth, Honus Wager, Christy Mathewson and Walter Johnson were inducted.

Today the Cooperstown hall is a time-honored institution. It has inducted many players, managers, umpires, executives and pioneers.

Sometimes a good idea can overcome flaws or deceit, but it often requires a spiritual maturity to see a bigger picture.

Just a thought. I'm Sid Batts from First Presbyterian Church in downtown Greensboro, fpcgreensboro.org.