The Sports Halls Of Fame

Each play is immortalized in film. Each player's achievements are written in the annals of the sports history books. The equipment changes, the who's who and the history tour is all housed under one roof. So as a sports buff, one cannot fully realize the game without going back in time and reviewing the game's greatest plays and players. Here is where you should go to relive the past glories of the various team sports in America.

1) Cooperstown, New York

Nestled in the suburb of New York lies the home of America's favorite pastime. Here, this masterfully designed edifice houses Major League Baseball and its precursor's, treasure trove of artifacts and equipment. There enshrined are the greatest players that ever played the game. Mentioned also are those with great contributions to the sport and those which have provided memorable moments to cherish and relive the great moments of baseball in the last century and a half.

2) Canton, Ohio

This building, simple and strong, houses the history of Pro Football. Great gridiron giants such as Mean Joe Green and Dick Butkus, together with Joe Namath and Joe Montana, stand shoulder to shoulder as they pronounce the greatness of the game. Famous plays, such as “the Drive” and the “Shot heard around the world” are immortalized in film and in stories recounting the circumstances which won the game. Also enshrined are the titans of the game: Lombardi, Madden and their kin. Their tireless work has guided the current crop of superstars to attain their full potential.

3) Springfield, Massachusetts

The fitting home of Basketball's Hall of Fame is where the game was created by Mr. James Naismith to help alleviate boredom in the YMCA for winter logged days. Thus was born the collages and the memorabilia of countless cage wars between the greatest players of their times. From George Mikan, the first superstar of the game, to Wilt and Bill, the Celtics dynasty in their era are relived in the halls of the building. As we move towards the modern era, there was Larry and Magic, the Bad Boys and the Bulls threepeat are also remembered. To walk the hall is to relive these hallowed moments of basketball.

4) Toronto, Canada

As aptly housed, being Canada's true sport, hockey's Hall of Fame is found in Toronto, Canada. Here the sticks of Bobby Orr and Wayne Gretzky stand behind the facemasks of goalies they have faced and humbled. Most stunning of all is the updated replica of the Stanley Cup where the names of the championship teams are etched onto the Cup to signify the bold tradition and immortality of winning.

Thus sports memorabilia is best found, untarnished and unblemished, in the Halls of Fame of each of the major sports. Setting foot in Cooperstown, New York (for baseball), in Canton, Ohio (for football), in Springfield, Massachusetts (for basketball) and in Toronto, Canada (for hockey) is a step back into the history and glory of the sports and its players. A small price to pay for a lifetime of memories.