July 17, 1941 Cleveland Indians (vs. New York Yankees) Ticket Stub and Signed Program - Joe DiMaggio 56-Game Hit Streak Ends - PSA/DNA

Sold For:

$13,800

Year:

1941

Auction:

2022 Summer

Lot #:

2390

Category:

Post-1900 Baseball Memorabilia

On July 17, 1941, one of the most remarkable feats in baseball history came to a finish at Cleveland Stadium when the Indians ended Joe DiMaggio's record 56-game hitting streak. Offered is an extremely rare program and ticket stub from that historic game. This is only the second program and ticket from this game that we have offered in the past 20 years. The Indians' 1941 home schedule is listed on the interior of the program, along with a schedule of night games for the season, including the July 17th game. Much of the credit for ending the streak went to pitcher Al Smith, but a "save" had to be awarded to third baseman Ken Keltner, who twice robbed DiMaggio of hits with backhand stabs of balls down the line, once in the first inning and again in the seventh. The Yankees gave DiMaggio one last chance by rallying for two runs in the eighth, but DiMaggio hit into a double-play with the bases loaded to end the inning. Despite the end of what had been a national obsession over the previous few weeks, DiMaggio showed no remorse after the game, telling reporters "I'm tickled to death it's over." The next day DiMaggio began a new streak that lasted sixteen games. The program has been signed in ballpoint ink on the interior scoring sheets by the following three participants: Joe DiMaggio, Oscar Grimes, and Ken Keltner. The original owner, who attended this game as a kid, had the program signed at a special luncheon hosted by the "Wahoo Club" at the Cleveland Plaza Hotel on February 6, 1980. Accompanied by the original luncheon ticket and newspaper articles confirming the event. The eight-page program (5.5 x 9 inches), which is neatly scored in pencil, has a small tear on the right edge of the front cover (repaired with clear tape on back), as well as pencil writing on the upper-right corner. The covers are detached from the interior pages. Technically in Fair condition overall. The ticket stub (1.75 x 1.5 inches), for a “Lower Reserve Seat,” has been graded PR 1 by PSA due moderate creasing and a piece of clear tape across the top edge. Total: 2 items (program and ticket stub). Full LOA from PSA/DNA. Reserve $500.