Dale Petroskey
Encyclopedia
Dale A. Petroskey is the former Executive Vice President of Marketing for the Texas Rangers Baseball Club. He is a former executive of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum
and the National Geographic Society
, and a former political appointee in the Administration of US President Ronald Reagan
. He currently owns a consulting firm called Dale Petroskey Consulting. http://dalepetroskeyconsulting.com/
in 1978, and worked in the White House
from 1985 to March 1987 as Assistant Press Secretary under Ronald Reagan
. Before Reagan he was assistant press secretary for the Michigan House Republican caucus, then chief of staff for Representative William F. Goodling (R-PA). After Reagan he was assistant secretary of public affairs at the U.S. Department of Transportation under Secretary Elizabeth Dole. Then he served as a senior executive at the National Geographic Society, 1988 to 1999.
During his tenure as the President of the Hall, Petroskey was credited with expanding membership and fundraising, furthering educational efforts and outreach, and establishing a closer relationship with the business of baseball (which is to say, Major League Baseball itself) with which the Hall had not always been on the best of terms. Under his leadership, the Hall completed a major renovation and modernization, which was completed in 2005 at a cost of $20 million.
He has also been credited for the Hall's recent initiatives to increase and further recognition of the contributions of Negro League players, managers, and executives, continuing an effort first broached by Hall of Famer --and Negro Leaguer-- Jackie Robinson
. A five-year program resulted in the elevation of 17 Negro Leaguers to members of the Hall of Fame.
because of the anti-war stance of two of its stars, Tim Robbins
and Susan Sarandon
, fearing that they would use the event as a platform for their political views.
Petroskey, a former assistant press secretary in the Reagan administration
, sent Robbins and Sarandon a letter that said: "We believe your very public criticism of President Bush at this important - and sensitive - time in our nation's history helps undermine the U.S. position, which ultimately could put our troops in even more danger." Robbins responded: "Long live democracy, free speech and the '69 Mets
- all improbable, glorious miracles that I have always believed in."
Many people, including well-known baseball figures like authors Roger Kahn and Jules Tygiel, were upset by what they saw as an attempt to punish political speech. Kahn canceled an appearance at the Hall and Tygiel called for Petroskey's resignation.
Bull Durham co-star Kevin Costner
defended Robbins and Sarandon, saying, "I think Tim and Susan's courage is the type of courage that makes our democracy work... Pulling back this invite is against the whole principle about what we fight for and profess to be about."
At the time of the announcement of his resignation, an article from the local Cooperstown Freeman's Journal cited the local reaction as "shock and disappointment". The Freeman's Journal goes on to say:
“The relationship between the village and the Hall of Fame was great,” Mayor Carol B. Waller said of the Petroskey years. “I was just as shocked as everyone else at last night’s news.”
Despite the ignominious end to his Hall of Fame Presidency, Petroskey continues to be held in high esteem amongst the civic leadership of the village of Cooperstown
, and serves or has been asked to serve in various municipal commissions and roles.
Petroskey was replaced by one of his vice-presidents, Jeff Idelson
.
National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum
The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum is an American history museum and hall of fame, located at 25 Main Street in Cooperstown, New York, operated by private interests serving as the central point for the study of the history of baseball in the United States and beyond, the display of...
and the National Geographic Society
National Geographic Society
The National Geographic Society , headquartered in Washington, D.C. in the United States, is one of the largest non-profit scientific and educational institutions in the world. Its interests include geography, archaeology and natural science, the promotion of environmental and historical...
, and a former political appointee in the Administration of US President Ronald Reagan
Ronald Reagan
Ronald Wilson Reagan was the 40th President of the United States , the 33rd Governor of California and, prior to that, a radio, film and television actor....
. He currently owns a consulting firm called Dale Petroskey Consulting. http://dalepetroskeyconsulting.com/
Early Professional Career
Petroskey graduated from Michigan State UniversityMichigan State University
Michigan State University is a public research university in East Lansing, Michigan, USA. Founded in 1855, it was the pioneer land-grant institution and served as a model for future land-grant colleges in the United States under the 1862 Morrill Act.MSU pioneered the studies of packaging,...
in 1978, and worked in the White House
White House
The White House is the official residence and principal workplace of the president of the United States. Located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW in Washington, D.C., the house was designed by Irish-born James Hoban, and built between 1792 and 1800 of white-painted Aquia sandstone in the Neoclassical...
from 1985 to March 1987 as Assistant Press Secretary under Ronald Reagan
Ronald Reagan
Ronald Wilson Reagan was the 40th President of the United States , the 33rd Governor of California and, prior to that, a radio, film and television actor....
. Before Reagan he was assistant press secretary for the Michigan House Republican caucus, then chief of staff for Representative William F. Goodling (R-PA). After Reagan he was assistant secretary of public affairs at the U.S. Department of Transportation under Secretary Elizabeth Dole. Then he served as a senior executive at the National Geographic Society, 1988 to 1999.
National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum
Petroskey was elected to the Presidency of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum June 15, 1999, and he resigned March 25, 2008.During his tenure as the President of the Hall, Petroskey was credited with expanding membership and fundraising, furthering educational efforts and outreach, and establishing a closer relationship with the business of baseball (which is to say, Major League Baseball itself) with which the Hall had not always been on the best of terms. Under his leadership, the Hall completed a major renovation and modernization, which was completed in 2005 at a cost of $20 million.
He has also been credited for the Hall's recent initiatives to increase and further recognition of the contributions of Negro League players, managers, and executives, continuing an effort first broached by Hall of Famer --and Negro Leaguer-- Jackie Robinson
Jackie Robinson
Jack Roosevelt "Jackie" Robinson was the first black Major League Baseball player of the modern era. Robinson broke the baseball color line when he debuted with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947...
. A five-year program resulted in the elevation of 17 Negro Leaguers to members of the Hall of Fame.
"Bull Durham" Censorship Controversy
In April 2003, one month after the start of the Iraq War, Hall of Fame President Dale Petroskey caused a furor when he canceled an event meant to commemorate the 15th anniversary of the well-known 1988 baseball movie Bull DurhamBull Durham
Bull Durham is a 1988 American romantic comedy baseball film. It is based upon the minor league experiences of writer/director Ron Shelton and depicts the players and fans of the Durham Bulls, a minor league baseball team in Durham, North Carolina....
because of the anti-war stance of two of its stars, Tim Robbins
Tim Robbins
Timothy Francis "Tim" Robbins is an American actor, screenwriter, director, producer, activist and musician. He is the former longtime partner of actress Susan Sarandon...
and Susan Sarandon
Susan Sarandon
Susan Sarandon is an American actress. She has worked in films and television since 1969, and won an Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance in the 1995 film Dead Man Walking. She had also been nominated for the award for four films before that and has received other recognition for her...
, fearing that they would use the event as a platform for their political views.
Petroskey, a former assistant press secretary in the Reagan administration
Reagan Administration
The United States presidency of Ronald Reagan, also known as the Reagan administration, was a Republican administration headed by Ronald Reagan from January 20, 1981, to January 20, 1989....
, sent Robbins and Sarandon a letter that said: "We believe your very public criticism of President Bush at this important - and sensitive - time in our nation's history helps undermine the U.S. position, which ultimately could put our troops in even more danger." Robbins responded: "Long live democracy, free speech and the '69 Mets
1969 World Series
The 1969 World Series was played between the New York Mets and the Baltimore Orioles, with the Mets prevailing in five games to accomplish one of the greatest upsets in Series history, as that particular Orioles squad was considered to be one of the finest ever...
- all improbable, glorious miracles that I have always believed in."
Many people, including well-known baseball figures like authors Roger Kahn and Jules Tygiel, were upset by what they saw as an attempt to punish political speech. Kahn canceled an appearance at the Hall and Tygiel called for Petroskey's resignation.
Bull Durham co-star Kevin Costner
Kevin Costner
Kevin Michael Costner is an American actor, singer, musician, producer, director, and businessman. He has been nominated for three BAFTA Awards, won two Academy Awards, and two Golden Globe Awards. Costner's roles include Lt. John J...
defended Robbins and Sarandon, saying, "I think Tim and Susan's courage is the type of courage that makes our democracy work... Pulling back this invite is against the whole principle about what we fight for and profess to be about."
Resignation from Hall of Fame Presidency
His resignation was tendered under pressure in March, 2008 for "fail[ing] to exercise proper fiduciary responsibility" while making "judgments that were not in the best interest of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum."At the time of the announcement of his resignation, an article from the local Cooperstown Freeman's Journal cited the local reaction as "shock and disappointment". The Freeman's Journal goes on to say:
“The relationship between the village and the Hall of Fame was great,” Mayor Carol B. Waller said of the Petroskey years. “I was just as shocked as everyone else at last night’s news.”
Despite the ignominious end to his Hall of Fame Presidency, Petroskey continues to be held in high esteem amongst the civic leadership of the village of Cooperstown
Cooperstown, New York
Cooperstown is a village in Otsego County, New York, USA. It is located in the Town of Otsego. The population was estimated to be 1,852 at the 2010 census.The Village of Cooperstown is the county seat of Otsego County, New York...
, and serves or has been asked to serve in various municipal commissions and roles.
Petroskey was replaced by one of his vice-presidents, Jeff Idelson
Jeff Idelson
Jeffrey L. "Jeff" Idelson is the current president of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, located in Cooperstown, New York...
.