COOPERSTOWN, N.Y. – Chicago Cubs outfielder Jim Edmonds didn’t get to play in the final Hall of Fame Game. He was more than happy to make the trip, though.

“I got an unbelievable tour of the Hall of Fame. I’m blown away,” Edmonds said Monday just before severe thunderstorms pelted historic Doubleday Field with a drenching rain and hail, forcing cancellation of the game. “I think all the anticipation of having a rough day of travel in the middle of the season – it’s all worth it once you get here.

“It would be nice if you could enjoy it more, be here on an off-day or a complete week,” Edmonds said. “It’s still special.”

Despite a determined effort to play the game between the Cubs and San Diego Padres, the storms packed too much rain and more storms were predicted later in the afternoon.

Hall of Fame officials canceled the game shortly after 2:30 p.m. This was to be the final edition of a tradition that began in 1940.

“The game is a good thing,” said San Diego ace Greg Maddux, a certain Hall of Famer once he retires. “When you look at the schedule back in spring training, you’re like, ‘Oh, that’s a day we don’t want to go.’ But once you’re here, you’re kind of glad you’re here. For me, it’s a great place to spend an off-day. I think the older you get and the more you play, the more you appreciate it.”

Major League Baseball announced in late January that the Hall of Fame Game was ending because of scheduling problems. “I think it’s great for baseball,” said Rich, a batboy for the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 1960s. “I don’t think they should discontinue it. I understand that it doesn’t count in the standings and the guys are worried about getting injured. But by the same token, it’s good for baseball.”