1920 World Series Game 5 Ticket Stub - Wambsganss' Unassisted Triple Play and First World Series Grand Slam! - PSA

Sold For:

$660

Year:

1920

Auction:

2019 Summer

Lot #:

2001

Category:

Post-1900 Baseball Memorabilia

Ticket stub, issued for Game 5 of the 1920 World Series between the Brooklyn Dodgers and Cleveland Indians, in which three historic World Series "firsts" occurred: first unassisted triple play (made by Bill Wambsganss; still the only one ever recorded in a World Series game), first grand slam (by Cleveland's Elmer Smith), and first home run by a pitcher (by Cleveland's Jim Bagby). Graded PR 1 by PSA. This is only one of two graded at this level, with just three graded higher (out of 10 examples certified by PSA). While both Smith's and Bagby's home runs were significant "firsts," it is Wambsganss who is still best remembered today. An unassisted triple play is the rarest feat in all of baseball, less likely than even a perfect game. In the history of Major League Baseball, only fifteen players have ever accomplished the trick. Because the play is the result more of luck than of individual skill, few fans can recall the names of even one or two players who have made an unassisted triple play, with the exception of one: Bill Wambsganss. Unlike those other fourteen players, Wambsgannss had the good fortune to record his triple play in the World Series, thereby insuring that his name would forever remain prominently etched in the annals of baseball history. Wambganss, who was playing second base for Cleveland, accomplished the feat in the fifth inning. The play helped Cleveland earn an 8-1 win that day, en route to winning the Series in seven games (the World Series was a best-of-nine in 1920). This is the just the second example of this rare stub we have ever offered and we have only seen a few others at auction in the past 20 years. The stub (2 x 4.255 inches), which is stamped "Complimentary" and "Press Gate" on the front, displays two prepunched holes in the upper right and left corners, one of which has torn through. A number of light creases are also evident throughout. Reserve $500. Estimate (open).