BEAVER TOWNSHIP — During his 17 years in the newspaper business, Hubbard native Craig Muder embraced the opportunity to cover teams from Major League Baseball, his favorite sport.

When the Observer-Dispatch in Utica, New York, was looking for a sports editor in 1998, he jumped at the opportunity because the paper was located just 45 minutes away from his favorite edifice, the Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum.

Speaking to the Curbstone Coaches during Monday’s weekly meeting, Muder, who serves as director of communications for the Hall of Fame, told the group that he must pinch himself every morning to make sure he is not dreaming.

“I have been a baseball fan since I was 10 years old. It’s my passion,” Muder said. “For six years, when I was based in Ashtabula, I had the opportunity to cover the Cleveland Indians about 20 times a year and it was a great experience.

“While I had never been to Central New York and didn’t know anything about the area, I felt it was an opportunity that I could not pass up, simply because I would get a chance to cover events at the Baseball Hall of Fame.”

For 10 years, Muder served as sports editor of the Observer- Dispatch and covered each Hall of Fame induction ceremony, as well as other events the Museum hosted.

“I got to know the public relations guys at the Hall of Fame but never thought about the possibility of working there,” he added. “One day my former boss called me and asked if I’d like to talk about this position that had just opened and I immediately responded with ‘sign me up.’ I was ready, and while I knew I could do the writing part, I did not know if I could handle the public relations end because I had never done it before. I was always on the other side with the media.”

That fear was quickly put to rest.

Muder, who started at the Hall of Fame on June 30, 2008, and will celebrate his 13th anniversary in a little over a month, has participated in every induction ceremony since he started and recalled several unforgettable moments.

“Each induction is unique but that first one was very special to me,” he said. “Former Hall of Fame inductees are introduced first then they take their seat on stage prior to the start of the ceremonies. Phil Niekro was introduced first and I thought to myself he will not remember me.

“I was standing right behind the tent doing something but happened to look up at Phil as he took his seat. He gave me this big smile then winked at me and that little gesture told me that everything was going to be all right. I will never forget him for doing that because he took a moment to think about me and it remains such a great moment in my life. I really miss him since his passing this past December 26.”

In addition to Nieko, nine other Hall of Fame members passed away during the recent nine-month period.

“When you think of the Baseball Hall of Fame, only 263 players have been enshrined,” Muder said. “Baseball started in 1871 and, as of this afternoon, just 19,991 players have played at least one inning in the Majors, less than the size of a sold-out event at Madison Square Garden.

“Just to get to the Majors is a miracle and to get to the Hall of Fame, the ratio is barely one percent, which is why I feel it is the greatest honor in all of sport.”

Muder also recalled a meeting at their baseball fantasy camp with former Tribe first baseman and Hall of Famer Eddie Murray.

“When Eddie was an active player and you were with the media, you asked direct questions and didn’t joke with him because he was focused on winning,” Muder said. “When I saw him at our fantasy camp, I had no idea if he would even remember me. I was on the field, he started walking toward me then broke into this big smile. He then gave me a big bear hug, which was another memorable moment.”

Muder said he thinks Wampum, Pennsylvania, native, the late Dick Allen, will be one of the next players to get the call to the Hall of Fame.

“He was a vote away from election in 2014 and certainly put up incredible MLB numbers,” Muder said.

Next Monday, Ron Strollo, YSU executive director of athletics, will serve as guest speaker.