COOPERSTOWN, N.Y. — The first thing Bert Blyleven did when he pulled into town was to hurry over to the National Baseball Hall of Fame and check on his plaque.
Blyleven was inducted last summer and had seen his plaque put in place with his own eyes. But, this time, he felt he had reason to wonder if everything was how he left it.
“I just wanted to make sure it was still there,’’ he said yesterday. “I wanted to make sure Reggie didn’t take it down or anything.’’
Although Reggie Jackson may have been clear about whom he believes should be allowed into the Hall, Blyleven said he didn’t place too much stock in what the former Yankees slugger said about him being among those who didn’t belong.
“God gives us many holes in our body,” a smiling Blyleven said, “and he just spoke out of the wrong one.’’