Why Joe Castiglione and Cooperstown are a perfect fit

"Congratulations on going into the Hall of Fame, Joe!"

The familiar greeting over the past six months was usually always met with a kind smile and bit of thanks from Joe Castiglione, who would then gently offer a small correction.

"It's the Ford C. Frick Award, but thank you."

Joe, it's Cooperstown. It's the Hall of Fame. It's the place you belong.

The induction of the iconic Red Sox broadcaster into the Hall as this year's winner of the Frick Award this week weekend represents a reminder that baseball can get it right. The halls of the Hall should be filled with everything Castiglione has stands for.

Genuine excellence at his job.

An unmatched love for the game.

And, most importantly, the impact he - and his voice - has had on multiple generations of those who have come to care about baseball.

Sure, I have skin the game. Joe has allowed for one of my professional life's greatest honors, getting to sit side-by-side with him for hundreds of Red Sox spring training and regular season broadcasts. I have been privy to all the highs and lows that come with reading those Yankees' scores. There has always been those genuine reactions to performances of players he always viewed as human beings rather than box score fillers. And, of course, a self-depricating sense of humor that wasn't hard to bubble up.

For someone whose existence was never going to be defined by membership in a club made up of broadcasting brethren, I have never felt out of place or unwanted. That was in large part because of the guy being highlighted in Cooperstown this weekend. For me, that will always be part of the reason I'm happy to highlight Castig.

I am, however, just one, with an admittedly unique view of the man of the hour.

The rest of the New Englanders raised with even a semblance of baseball in their blood have had Castiglione's voice as their constant transfusion. Maybe it was part of your introduction to the game. Or perhaps the signature description and tone represented a reminder that the gray days were giving way to beautiful Fenway summer nights.

Whatever the case - or whatever the demographic - Castiglione is the kind of security blanket sports-loving folks have come to rely on. That is the kind of reliability a baseball season brings. And, for more than 42 years, Joe has delightfully delivered.

It's a bonus that he is one of the nicest guys you will meet. And his diligence in preparing for each and every broadcast is a standard broadcaster should aspire to (as is evident by the waves of notecards filled out while flying from city to city). Also, seeing Joe's love and dedication to his wife, children and grandchildren makes the entire package even more presentable.

But Joe has helped make baseball better, and has done it expertly for a long, long time. And when steering him into the Hall that is what matters most.

Castiglione has helped bring us all into the brightness that is baseball. Now it's time to dim the house and turn on the spotlight. Hall of Fame Joe deserves it.