Anti-war actor Tim Robbins has brought in Dan Klores Communications to deal with the aftermath of a public snub by the National Baseball Hall of Fame, which cancelled a reunion of the cast of "Bull Durham," citing co-stars Robbins' and longtime partner Susan Sarandon's politics.

Hall of Fame president and assistant press secretary to former President Ronald Reagan, Dale Petroskey, cancelled the event last week, issuing a two-paragraph statement which said the institution "honors our armed forces" and "should never be used as a platform" for political statements.

"Given the track record of Tim Robbins and Susan Sarandon, and the timing – with our troops committed in Iraq – a strong possibility existed that they could have used The Hall of Fame as a backdrop for their views," he said.

Dan Klores told this website he was recommended by a former agent and advisor to Robbins. "Our main goal of going to the media was to make Petroskey into a noun synonymous with failure," he said, adding he and Robbins were pleased with national coverage they saw as sympathetic to the actor.

Klores said he's a planning a "Bull Durham" event to be held next week in New York with Robbins, Sarandon and others originally lined up to participate in the Hall event. He declined to identify the location before final arrangements are set up.

Robbins, an Oscar-nominated director and actor and a staunch critic of the U.S. campaign in Iraq, told the New York Times that he looked forward to the Bull Durham event as a "break" from politics. Columnist Ira Berkow lashed out against the Hall and Petroskey – who declined to be interviewed by Berkow – as politicizing the institution under the guise of trying to avoid politics.

Petroskey later denied that charge to the Associated Press but admitted that, given another opportunity, he might've called Robbins and Sarandon in advance to discuss the situation.

Robbins donated his uniform from "Bull Durham" after bringing his sons to Cooperstown in 1999. He played minor league pitcher Nuke LaLoosh in the film, now considered a baseball classic by the Hall.

A spokesman for the Hall of Fame, Brad Horn, said the museum does not use outside PR counsel.

Thinkman2 (5/06):
So the hall of fame has to reject someone because of political views. Fascinating! A total raw racist by the name of Ty Cobb remains an honored and storied occupant sans any "disgust." What does that tell us? Likewise a couple of anti-Semites are around there, but that's ok. There is an old communist response to opinions not liked: it is to purge the holder and eradicate his memory. So much for the scared idiots.

Wise Old Man (4/15):
Sometimes the simple stuff gets the most complicated. There certainly wasn't any surprise in the positions that Mr. Robbins and Ms. Sarandon had advocated. Therefore why was Mr. Petroskey "forced" to cancel the event?

Had his concern been one of what he might consider "inappropriate comments" there never would have been a "Bull Durham" event scheduled. Now frankly, I could care less about the views of a couple of actors, so it seems to me that Mr. Petroskey's sole intent was to "shame" the two actors and show people who share his beliefs how committed he is to them.

PR Honcho (4/15):
How pathetic. The Hall of Fame is afraid of a couple of movie stars. That's right up there with Hootie Johnson's fear of Martha Burk. The conservatives of this country need to take a deep breath. It's OK to disagree. This is America.

PR in Seattle responds to PR Honcho (4/15):
Why do you assume it is "fear" of Mr Robbins and Ms Sarandon? I think it is more a case of disgust.

PR Honcho responds to PR in Seattle (4/15):
No, it's fear. The hard right want to silence their critics. Look at the way Cheney and Rummy bristle at the slightest whiff of criticism. They even want to silence potential criticism (so the Hall tells Robbins and Sarandon to stay away). As you undoubtedly know, conservatives prefer demagogues like Rush, Savage and O'Reilly to thoughtful, meaningful debate and dialog because they fear some might listen.

Sick of Hollywood (4/15):
Cheers! Cheers! for the Baseball Hall of Fame to snubb these liberals!! They are so out of step with the mainstream in America that it is laughable.

One hundred percent of their Iraqi-war predictions have NOT come true. They owe the country an apology.

Harry Prestanski (4/15):
Why is it that people equate free speech with "rights to any forum." The Hall and Museum have every "right" to choose speakers, events etc as they wish. I happen to disagree with the way this was handled, but the whining of Mr. Robbins points out how certain celebrities think that their status demands "access." Cancellation of appearances of people who find themselves controversial is not new.

As a PR professional, I have had to evaluate use of spokespersons, guests for events, etc. and how their being associated with an event or organization would impact the public perception of the organization or event. And based on Mr. Robbins controversial stance and criticism I think many organizations would have to consider cancelling or postponing his appearances during these times.

One of the reasons many influential people, such as celebrities, sportspeople, etc. are invited to such events is to attract attention, build awareness, gain public acceptance through their "endorsement" by such appearance.

Consequently, an appearance by Mr. Robbins at any event may suggest that the organization supports and agrees with Mr. Robbins' political stance. This is even taken to the degree of corporations not wanting their products being associated with certain events--why airlines cancel ads after an airline disaster, why major corporations pulled ads during the Iraqi War.

I think it laughable that people are shouting "free speech" but would deny it to private organizations who excercise their free speech by choosing to cancel events and appearances. Mr. Robbins believes that "whining" can provide him with the same forum he was denied. Unfortunately, both the Hall and Mr. Robbins are both seen as losers in the media.

Mr. First Amendment (4/15):
Thank goodness for Dale Petroskey and his Brain Police for anticipating what we should hear and not hear. I thought the ability to express oneself freely was another one of our National Pastimes.

While I don't agree with Robbins and Sarandon on their political positions, what great harm could they have done to this event? The owners and players have done their parts in denigrating the game.

If I were Robbins, I'd forget about it; public opinion seems to be on his side.