1962 New York Mets Opening-Day Ticket Stub (Highest Graded) and Original Photo

Sold For:

$2,400

Year:

1962

Auction:

2017 Fall

Lot #:

1984

Category:

Post-1900 Baseball Memorabilia

Scarce ticket stub and photo from the Mets' first home game in franchise history, held at the Polo Grounds on April 13, 1962. 1) Ticket Stub. The stub, for an "Upper Stand - Res. Seat," has been graded EX 5 by PSA and is 1 of only 3 examples ever evaluated by the company. It is also the only one graded at this level, with none graded higher. The Mets' historic home opener in 1962 was played on a dreary, rainy day, which accounted for the sparse turnout of just 12,447 fans. As a result, stubs from the game are quite rare. 2) Photo. Original news photo capturing the Mets players standing along the foul line during the playing of the National Anthem on opening day at the Polo Grounds on April 13, 1962. Accompanied by its original paper news caption, dated "4/13/62." This is only the second photo we have ever seen taken at the Mets home opener in 1962. The photo (10 x 8 inches) displays a few light creases and is in Very Good condition overall. It was probably fitting that the New York Mets home opener was scheduled for Friday the thirteenth, as no team in history had more bad luck in a single season than Casey Stengel's lovable misfits. The Mets rewrote the record books that year, finishing with 120 losses, a mark of futility that has never been equaled. This is an extremely significant and rare pairing commemorating the birth of the New York Mets franchise. Total: 2 items (ticket stub and photo). Reserve $200. Estimate (open).