If you’re still looking to add any of these baseballs, just a reminder that USA Sports Marketing has them, along with the rare 2012 Japan All-Star Series and 2011 Florida Marlins Final Game balls. We hear that the 2012 Rawlings All-Star Game Baseballs have begun shipping; the Miami Marlins Park Inaugural Season Game ball isn’t far behind. There may also be some other rare baseballs on the way!

Onto the baseballs. First up, the MLB ballparks which are being celebrated this season for their anniversary years.

Fenway Park in Boston, 100th Anniversary. Photo: stadiumpage.com

The Boston Red Sox are celebrating the 100th Anniversary at Fenway Park. Check the site dedicated to the 100th Anniversary.

• Franchise founded in 1901. Fenway Park established, 1912.
• First professional baseball game: April 20, 1912. Red Sox defeated the New York Highlanders (Yankees) 7-6 in 11 innings.
• World Series Champions 7 times: 1903, 1912, 1915, 1916, 1918, 2004, 2007
• Retired Numbers: 1 Bobby Doer, 4 Joe Cronin, 6 Johnny Pesky, 8 Carl Yastrzemski, 9 Ted Williams, 14 Jim Rice, 27 Carlton Fisk. 42 retired league-wide for Jackie Robinson.

 ~~~ ~~~ ~~~

The Los Angeles Dodgers are celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Dodger Stadium this season.

• Franchise established in 1883 in Brooklyn and relocated to Los Angeles, 1958
• Dodger Stadium: Established, 1962. First professional baseball game: April 10, 1962, a 6-3 loss to Cincinnati.
• World Series Champions 6 times: 1955 (Brooklyn), 1959, 1963, 1965, 1981, 1988
• Retired Numbers: 1 Pee Wee Reese, 2 Tommy Lasorda, 4 Duke Snider, 19 Jim Gilliam, 20 Don Sutton, 24 Walt Alston, 32 Sandy Koufax, 39 Roy Campanella, 42 Jackie Robinson, 53 Don Drysdale

Just noticed – those sun ray / star burst design on the original logo didn’t make it onto the ball. No idea why…

  ~~~ ~~~ ~~~

Baltimore Orioles Oriole Park at Camden Yards 20th Anniversary. Photo: stadiumpage.com

Oriole Park at Camden Yards turned 20 this season. The Baltimore Orioles are Celebrating with 20th Anniversary commemorative patches and official game balls.

• Franchise Founded in 1901 (Milwaukee). Relocated from St. Louis (Browns) to Baltimore in 1954
• Oriole Park at Camden Yards Inaugural Season: 1992. First game April 6, 1992, 2-0 win vs. Cleveland Indians
• World Series Champions 3 times: 1966, 1970, 1983
• Retired Numbers: 4 Earl Weaver, 5 Brooks Robinson, 8 Cal Ripken Jr., 20 Frank Robinson, 22 Jim Palmer, Eddie Murray 33. 42 Jackie Robinson retired league-wide.

 

  ~~~ ~~~ ~~~

 

New York Polo Grounds, Home of the 1962 NY Mets

 

1962 New York Mets Inaugural Game at the Polo Grounds

Continuing the season of anniversary baseballs: Two teams are celebrating their franchise’s 50th years in Major League Baseball. First up, the New York Mets.

• Franchise established: 1962. 1st Season played at Polo Grounds, with an MLB all-time worst 40-120 record
• First MLB game in history: Lost 11-4 at St. Louis Cardinals.1st Home Game: Lost to Pittsburgh Pirates, 4-3.
• World Series Champions 2 times:  1969, 1986
• Retired Numbers: 14 Gil Hodges, 37 Casey Stengel, 41 Tom Seaver. 42 Jackie Robinson retired league-wide.

 ~~~ ~~~ ~~~

 

Colt Stadium 1962, Home of the Houston Colt .45s - Astros

 

Houston Colt .45s (Astros) Inaugural Game, 1962

Finally, the Houston Astros 50th Anniversary. The Astros now have a 50th Anniversary Website.

• Founded: 1962 as the Houston Colt .45s
• First MLB Game: 11-2 victory over the Chicago Cubs on April 10, 1962
• World Series Championships – None. One appearance, 2005
• Retired Numbers: 5 Jeff Bagwell, 7 Craig Biggio, 24 Jimmy Wynn, 25 Jose Cruz, 32 Jim Umbricht, 33 Mike Scott, 40 Don Wilson, 49 Larry Dierker. 42 retired league-wide for Jackie Robinson.

 

 

 

We’ll add the 2012 Marlins Opening Night and Inaugural Season baseballs once they’re available.

So the Miami Marlins have opened the latest and greatest, retractable roof stadium with all the bells and whistles — and a newly stacked lineup to boot. Seems they were so busy showing off their new digs and building a potential NL Champ, they almost forgot to have Rawlings produce a new 2012 Inaugural Season at Marlins Park Official Game Ball.

Well it’s been approved, and thanks to the MLB Authenticator on site, we see it made it in time for the Inaugural Opening Day Game at the ballpark:

Rawlings 2012 1st Pitch Ball - Marlins Park Inaugural Season Baseball

All of the other season-long commemoratives had already been produced, shipped and sold by online shops. Even the very rare Japan Opening Series ball was stocked by USA Sports Marketing, as we discussed in our last post. We’ll get all the details on this new Miami Marlins ball, soon – it will be offered by dealers.

Glad it won’t be nearly impossible to find, like the Florida Marlins Final Game ball from 2011 (thanks again, USA Sports Marketing, for adding this!).

Flordia Marlins Final Game Ball. Photo courtesy of USA Sports Marketing

And now what, a rumor from the team that a Marlins Park Inaugural GAME ball was produced? Supposedly only available to the team and not used in the game. The photo below looks like the regular season ball, but look closely, something’s different. It’s got small logos in the bottom corners of that commemorative stamp, and the text at the bottom looks a bit different:

Is this the rumored Inaugural Game / Opening Night Ball?

Thanks to the work of Big League Baseballs forum member Stadium Page (who runs this amazing site) we can compare this ball to the picture of the Opening Night Logo he found on the scoreboard (updated with clear picture):

The Marlins Opening Night logo on the stadium scoreboard

So it looks like a different ball with the same design as on the scoreboard, featuring the Marlins and Cardinal logos at the bottom. Unfortunately, these probably aren’t available to fans. We’ll continue to research and post an update soon.

2003 MLB Japan Opening Series Ball (Canceled)

The 2012 MLB Japan Opening Series marked a return home for Japan superstar Ichiro Suzuki, who drew the biggest crowds and loudest cheers from adoring fans in his native country. It also marked the conclusion of a long-overdue match between the Oakland Athletics and Seattle Mariners, originally scheduled to open the 2003 Major League Baseball season. The 2003 Japan Opening Series games were canceled due war in Iraq.

According to the A’s, that 2003 trip was canceled only 12 hours before the team’s flight was scheduled to depart for Tokyo from its Phoenix, Ariz. spring training location. Nine years later, Japan finally got to see its greatest baseball export, Ichiro, return to action in his homeland in official MLB games.

Rawlings OfficialRawlings 2012 Japan Series Baseballs now available from USA Sports Marketing.

For us Rawlings commemorative and special event baseball collectors, it’s a reminder of the extremely rare 2003 Rawlings Japan Series ball that was produced in very limited quantities, but never made it to “The Show” to see game action. That ’03 ball has sold for over $200, and we here at Big League Baseballs have only seen 3 or 4 ever sold.

The 2012 series also meant that there would be a new Rawlings commemorative ball bearing a Japan stamp – only the 5th such Opening Series ball ever made (2000, 2003, 2004, 2008). What we didn’t realize, is just how rare this new ball would be.

Unlike All-Star, World Series and season long anniversary and stadium commemorative balls, international series game balls sometimes receive extremely limited production. Typically, there’s little or no retail availability in the United States, if anywhere for such gamers.

Early this year, we were informed no dealers planned to carry this new ball. So our mission was to track it down, and hopefully find a way to help baseball collectors and our forum members find one.

We reached out to one of our favorite sports collectible and memorabilia dealers. And thanks to USA Sports Marketing, the Rawlings 2012 Japan Opening Series ball is available here, and it won’t cost an arm and a leg to add it to your collection.

2012 Rawlings Japan All-Star Series Baseball

It’s a great look for such a simple text based design that’s similar to recent MLB Opening Day and Opening Season logos. Collectors are very fortunate – the only other way to acquire this ball was to fly to Japan and snag one from the field of play at the Tokyo Dome, or pay vendors for one of the very few made available at the stadium for a mere 4,000 Yen – about $48 U.S.!

A Rawlings retail box with 2012 Japan Opening Series Balls on display at a souvenir stand in the Tokyo Dome. Priced at 4000 Yen a piece - about $50.

As a stand alone commemorative, it’s great to add to the official MLB game ball collection. And imagine how unique and valuable would one of these gems be if signed by Ichiro Suzuki himself? Or A’s rookie Yoenis Cespedes, who hit his first Major League home run in the series?

As far as Japan baseball goes, the Nippon Professional Baseball league uses a Mizuno ball, (pictured below). Those were retailing for $36, more than twice the cost of Rawlings generic MLB Seligs.

Mizuno Nippon Professional Baseball Official Game Ball

We also saw pictures posted by an MLB Blog that showed bins of batting practice balls used by the Henshin Tigers for batting practice in an exhibition game against the Oakland Athletics, prior to the Japan series. As you can see below, they have both the Nippon Official Game Ball, and team logo stamped balls.

For a complete look at Japan Opening Series Baseballs, check the Special Events / Commemorative Galleries in our Museum of Baseballs. And for other Mizuno and Rawlings baseballs from Japan – check our gallery of International Series Baseballs – which includes exhibition game balls between Major League Baseball stars vs. Japan, China and Taiwan leagues all-stars.

And a few more photos, first: The very first ball pitched in the 2012 Major League Baseball season, from an official MLB Authenticator onsite in the Tokyo Dome (more proof for those few doubters who think these things don’t actually get used in games!). And second, from baseball writer Zack Hample, a Japan ball he snagged during Batting Practice at the Dome before Game 1:

2012 First Pitched Game Ball from the Major League Baseball Authentication Program

A 2012 Japan Opening Series Ball snagged by Zack Hample

Since one George Herman Ruth was purchased by the New York Yankees from the Boston Red Sox on Jan. 5, 1920, and first wore the uniform of his new team two months later, top authenticators are confident the jersey likely was worn by Ruth that season, making it perhaps the most valuable piece of baseball memorabilia ever.

From the article on Yahoo Sports by Steve Henson, Yahoo! Sports Feb 27, 1:40 am EST

1920 New York Yankees Base Ruth Jersey, Courtesy Yahoo Sports & SCP Auctions

The auction is being hosted by SCP Auctions. Full details are available from the company’s press release (PDF Download here). An excerpt:

SCP Auctions, a leader in the field of Important Sports Memorabilia and Cards, will offer one of the most valuable pieces of sports memorabilia ever brought to auction – the earliest known jersey worn by New York Yankees legend Babe Ruth. The c.1920 Yankees road jersey was worn by the Sultan of Swat shortly after he made the transition to the Yankees from the arch-rival Boston Red Sox. Exhibited for years at The Babe Ruth Birthplace Museum in Baltimore, Md., the jersey will be put up for auction for the first time as part of SCP Auctions’ spring auction beginning Monday, April 30.

We don’t usually cover auctions for memorabilia other than baseballs, if only because there are hundreds of other sites and bloggers much more knowledgeable on these items. But we’ll be keeping an eye on this one to see if the bidding matches the hype. Most interesting to me, a video posted in the Yahoo article with a look inside the Babe Ruth Birthplace Museum in Baltimore:

2012 All-Star Game Ball, Kansas City Royals Host

First thought – awesome! This one will really stick out in your collection. It’s got bold Royal blue stamping and for the first time ever on Official Major League Baseballs, what appears to be Royal Blue and Silver laces.

It features the primary All-Star logo (left) as the commemorative stamp on the lower panel, only it’s all one shade. The secondary 2012 logo is pictured below/right. Neither features silver as a main color, but it appears to be part of the shaded side of the text. Works for me.

We’ve been looking forward to this ball since Kansas City was announced at the host. There were a number of options for the color combo. A medium or dark blue with a light, Carolina blue was a possibility that sure would have been unique. Black and blue, which also would have been a first, and finally blue and gold (yellow) like on the 2002 All-Star game ball from Milwaukee. My worst fear was they’d find some way to justify another red and blue laced ball – nothing wrong with those, but they’re by far the most common for All-Star Commemoratives. So I had not considered this exact combo.

Keep in mind, colors used in the artwork or rendering don’t always reflect the exact hue on the stitching. Last year’s 2011 All-Star Ball for the Arizona Diamondbacks appeared to be red and – almost a light brown gym rope colored lace. But it turned out to be red and a very light beige, almost off-white. Compare below:

2011 All-Star Baseball Rendering

2011 All-Star Game Ball

We’ll post actual pictures of the 2012 ball once we receive it in the next few weeks to compare. These baseballs should be available from dealers by early March. Check out the other commemorative special event baseballs planned for the 2012 Major League season here.

* * *

And somewhat unrelated but please take note – if anyone is hoping to purchase the upcoming 2012 Japan Opening Series Baseball, it’s likely going to be impossible to find – unless you email us at BigLeagueBaseballs@Gmail.com. We’re working on a special order for this and the 2011 Florida Marlins Final Game ball at Sun Life Stadium through a Rawlings dealer. Both are extremely rare. Please let us know if you’re interested in either ball!

We’ve broken down the entire list of Rawlings Official Major League Commemorative Game Baseballs by team. Every ball that’s been used on the field is attributed to the team, or teams, that produced the ball or participated in the event. Consider this a running total. We’ll update the list as new baseballs are discovered and produced.

You can view the unofficial Master List of Rawlings Commemorative Major League Game Balls as well.

Below is a breakdown of each team’s official gamers. The intention is to help collectors seeking baseballs just for their favorite teams and players, as well as praise the teams with the most, and call out the worst. The totals:

1. New York Yankees (28)
2. Atlanta Braves (19)
3. St. Louis Cardinals (17)
4. Cleveland Indians, Arizona Diamondbacks (13)
5. Boston Red Sox, Houston Astros (12)
6. San Fransisco Giants (11)
7. New York Mets, San Diego Padres (10)
   
8. Baltimore Orioles, Detroit Tigers, Pittsburgh Pirates, Philadelphia Phillies (9)
9. Los Angeles Dodgers, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim(8)
10. Florida Marlins, Texas Rangers (7)
    
11. Chicago White Sox, Milwaukee Brewers, Oakland A’s, Seattle Mariners (6)
12. Cincinnati Reds, Minnesota Twins, Tampa Bay Rays, Toronto Blue Jays, Colorado Rockies (5)
13. Chicago Cubs, Kansas City Royals (3)
14. Montreal Expos, Washington Nationals (2)

UPDATED: The list of commemoratives by team is current through the end of the 2011 Major League Baseball Season.

As for the numbers, It should come as no surprise that the Yankees lead the way in Official Special Event and Commemorative Balls, and by a large margin. In addition to pure success on the field — playoff balls in the mid to late ’90s and World Series baseballs — the Bronx Bombers have also celebrated their past more than any other team. Is it a glutinous display of wealth, or a deserving tribute to the winningest, most successful team in the four major sports? Regardless, we’ve got to applaud any team that provides an opportunity for a special game ball. Which is why we must give an old Bronx cheer to…

The Kansas City Royals and Chicago Cubs. A lack of success is one thing, but there are plenty of perpetual losers with a fair share of commemorative game balls. The Royals and Cubs have no excuse (UPDATE: Tip of the Cap to the Royals for the 2011 Teams Unite for Joplin ball, which helped benefit victims of the devastating tornado in Joplin Mo. This still only brings them to three baseballs.)

Granted, neither team has received the post-20o4 All-Star Game Host bump, which guarantees at least four baseballs to the hosting team (All-Star Game, Home Run Derby, Home Run Derby Gold and All-Star Futures Game). We excuse the now defunct Montreal Expos and the newest team, the Nationals, although their stats could be combined. Also excused  are recent expansion teams, namely, the Colorado Rockies.

There is good news for some teams with lower totals. In the coming years, the Royals will host the next All-Star Game (2012), while the Mets (2013), Cubs (2014 – 100th Anniversary of Wrigley Field), Marlins (2015), Twins and Nationals have put in requests to host in the near future.

Below is the complete break down by team. Note that we did not include league-wide baseballs in individual team totals, such as Opening Day balls. The reason: We cannot verify that each team used a league-wide ball, and it’s also a special event that is in no way tied to a particular team. Additionally, canceled baseballs are excluded from team stats, but they’re noted below as some collectors may like to add them – if they can find them.

1. 1978 WS NYY (75th WS Logo) (1st Commemorative MLB Ball)
2. 1981 WS LAD
3. 1996 American League Mickey Mantle Game Ball (8/25/96)
4. 1996 AL Division Series Version 2 (TEX VS. NYY)
5. 1996 AL Ball – League Championship Series (BAL vs. NYY)
6. 1996 World Series (NO Commissioner Stamp) (NYY)
7. 1998 Joe Dimaggio Day (9/27/98)
8. 1998 American League ALDS (NYY vs. TEX, CLE vs. BOS)
9. 1998 American League ALCS (CLE vs. NYY)
10. 1998 World Series (NYY)
11. 1999 American League ALDS (NYY vs. TEX, CLE vs. BOS)
12. 1999 American League ALCS (NYY vs. BOS)
13. 1999 World Series (NYY)
14. 2000 World Series (NYY)
15. 2001 World Series (ARI)
16. 2001 World Series American Flag Ceremonial 1st Pitch
17. 2002 Reggie Jackson Day
18. 2003 Yankees 100th Anniversary Season
19. 2003 World Series (FLA)
20. 2004 Japan Opening Series (NYY vs. TB)
21. 2008 Yankee Stadium Final
22. 2008 All-Star Futures
23. 2008 Home Run Derby
24. 2008 Home Run Derby Gold
25. 2008 Home Run Derby Red
26. 2008 All-Star Game
27. 2009 Yankee Stadium Inaugural Season
28. 2009 World Series (NYY)

1. 1991 WS (MIN)
2. 1992 World Series (No commissioner stamp) (TOR)
3. 1995 World Series (ATL)
4. 1996 NL Division Series Version 2 (ATL vs. LAD)
5. 1996 NL Ball – League Championship Series (STL vs. ATL)
6. 1996 World Series (NO Commissioner Stamp) (NYY)
7. 1997 NL NLCS (FLA vs. ATL)
8. 1998 National League NLDS (ATL vs. CHC, HOU vs. SD)
9. 1998 National League NLCS (ATL vs. SD)
10. 1999 Hank Aaron 715th HR 25th Anniversary
11. 1999 National League NLDS (ATL vs. HOU, ARI vs. NYM)
12. 1999 National League NLCS (ATL VS. NYM)
13. 1999 World Series (NYY)
14. 2000 Month of the Americas – Spring Training “World Tour” (Venezuela: ATL vs. TB)
15. 2000 MLB Turner Field Edition All Star Ball
16. 2000 All-Star Futures Ball
17. 2000 Home Run Derby Ball
18. 2000 All-Star Game Baseball
19. 2011 Civil Rights Game PHI @ ATL (Same as 2010 STL @ CIN Ball)
    

1. 1982 WS (STL)
2. 1985 WS (KC)
3. 1987 WS (MIN)
4. 1996 NL Division Series 1 (SD vs. STL)
5. 1996 NL Ball – League Championship Series (STL vs. ATL)
6. 2004 World Series (BOS)
7. 2005 Busch Stadium Final Season (Final Home stand Ball)
8. 2006 Busch Stadium Inaugural Game
9. 2006 Busch Stadium Inaugural Season
10. 2006 World Series (STL)
11. 2009 All-Star Futures Game
12. 2009 Home Run Derby
13. 2009 Home Run Derby Gold
14. 2009 All-Star Game
15. 2010 Civil Rights Game (May 15th STL @ CIN)
16. 2011 Teams Unite for Joplin – KC vs. STL, June 17-20
17. 2011 World Series (STL)
    

1. 1981 All-Star Baseball
2. 1994 American League Cleveland Jacobs Field Inaugural Season Ball
3. 1995 World Series (ATL)
4. 1996 AL Division Series 1 (CLE vs. BAL)
5. 1997 AL Ball – ALCS (CLE vs. BAL)
6. 1997 All-Star Season Cleveland
7. 1997 All-Star Game Baseball
8. 1997 World Series (FLA)
9. 1998 American League ALDS (NYY vs. TEX, CLE vs. BOS)
10. 1998 American League ALCS (CLE vs. NYY)
11. 1999 American League ALDS (NYY vs. TEX, CLE vs. BOS)
12. 2000 Hall of Fame Game Arizona vs. Cleveland (Dated “Hall of Fame Game 2000″)
13. 2001 Month of the Americas – Spring Training “World Tour” (CLE vs. HOU in Venezuela)

1. 1998 Arizona Diamondbacks Opening Day Ball
2. 1999 National League NLDS (ATL vs. HOU, ARI vs. NYM)
3. 2000 Hall of Fame Game Arizona vs. Cleveland (Dated “Hall of Fame Game 2000″)
4. 2000 Month of the Americas – Spring Training “World Tour” (Hermosillo, Mexico ARI VS. LAA)
5. 2001 Month of the Americas – Spring Training “World Tour” (OAK vs. ARI in Hermosillo)
6. 2001 World Series American Flag Ceremonial 1st Pitch
7. 2001 World Series (ARI)
8. 2011 Spring Training Inaugural Season, Salt River Fields at Talking Stick (Used all spring by Diamondbacks & Rockies)
9. 2011 All-Star Futures Game
10. 2011 All-Star Home Run Derby Baseball
11. 2011 All-Star Home Run Derby Gold Baseball (Unused version)
12. 2011 All-Star Home-Run Derby Real 24K Gold Baseball (Actual Derby Ball)
    
13. 2011 All-Star Game Baseball

1. 1986 WS (NYM)
2. 1998 American League ALDS (NYY vs. TEX, CLE vs. BOS)
3. 1999 American League Fenway Park Edition All Star Ball
4. 1999 Home Run Derby
5. 1999 All-Star Game Baseball
6. 1999 American League ALDS (NYY vs. TEX, CLE vs. BOS)
7. 1999 American League ALCS (NYY vs. BOS)
8. 2000 Month of the Americas – Spring Training “World Tour” (BOS vs. HOU in Dominican Republic)
9. 2004 World Series (BOS)
10. 2005 Red Sox “2004 WS Champs” Opening Day Ball
11. 2007 World Series (Red Sox)
12. 2008 Opening Series Japan

1. 1986 All-Star Game Baseball
2. 1998 National League NLDS (ATL vs. CHC, HOU vs. SD)
3. 1999 Houston Astrodome’s Final Game Oct. 3, 1999 (35 Years 1965-1999)
4. 1999 National League NLDS (ATL vs. HOU, ARI vs. NYM)
5. 2000 Month of the Americas – Spring Training “World Tour” (BOS vs. HOU in Dominican Republic)
6. 2000 Houston Enron Field Inaugural Year Ball
7. 2001 Month of the Americas – Spring Training “World Tour” (CLE vs. HOU in Venezuela)
8. 2004 Serie De Primavera Ball (Spring Series) Marlins Astros
9. 2004 All-Star Futures
10. 2004 Home Run Derby
11. 2004 All-Star Game Baseball
12. 2005 World Series (CHI Sox)

1. 1984 All-Star Game Baseball
2. 1989 WS (OAK)
3. 1997 NL Ball Division Series (SF vs. FLA)
4. 1999 NL Final Series at Candlestick Park “Tell It Goodbye!” (September 28-30)
5. 2000 Pac Bell SF Inaugural Game
6. 2002 World Series (ANA)
7. 2007 All-Star Futures
8. 2007 Home Run Derby
9. 2007 Home Run Derby Gold
10. 2007 All-Star Game
11. 2010 World Series

1. 1986 WS (NYM)
2. 1996 Primera Serie – Monterrey, Mexico SD vs. NYM
3. 1999 National League NLDS (ATL vs. HOU, ARI vs. NYM)
4. 1999 National League NLCS (ATL VS. NYM)
5. 2000 Japan Opening Series Opening Day Ball (Cubs-Mets)
6. 2000 World Series (NYY)
7. 2003 Serie De Primavera Mets Dodgers (Spring Series)
8. 2008 Shea Stadium Final Season
9. 2009 Citi Bank Ballpark Inaugural Season
10. 2010 San Juan Series (FLA. vs. NYM)

1. 1984 WS (DET)
2. 1992 All-Star Game Baseball (1st Multi-Colored Laces)
3. 1996 Primera Serie – Monterrey, Mexico SD vs. NYM
4. 1996 NL Division Series 1 (SD vs. STL)
5. 1998 National League NLDS (ATL vs. CHC, HOU vs. SD)
6. 1998 National League NLCS (ATL vs. SD)
7. 1998 World Series (NYY)
8. 2001 Month of the Americas – Spring Training “World Tour” (S.D. vs. COL in Culiacan)
9. 2001 Tony Gwynn Final Game Ball
10. 2008 Opening Day China Series (Spring) (LAD vs. S.D.)

1. 1979 WS (PIT) (76th WS Logo)
2. 1983 WS (BAL)
3. 1993 All-Star Game Baseball
4. 1995 Cal Ripken Record Games Streak 2130, 2131 (Orange Laces)
5. 1996 AL Division Series 1 (CLE vs. BAL)
6. 1996 AL Ball – League Championship Series (BAL vs. NYY)
7. 1997 AL Ball Division Series (BAL vs. SEA)
8. 1997 AL Ball – ALCS (CLE vs. BAL)
9. 2001 MLB Cal Ripken Farewell Game

1. 1984 WS (DET)
2. 1999 AL Tiger Stadium Final Game
3. 2000 Comerica Park Inaugural GAME (Dated)
4. 2000 Comerica Park Inaugural Season (No date)
5. 2005 All-Star Futures Game
6. 2005 Home Run Derby
7. 2005 Home Run Derby Gold Ball
8. 2005 All-Star Game Ball
9. 2006 World Series (STL)

1. 1979 WS (PIT) (76th WS Logo)
2. 1994 All-Star Game Baseball
3. 2000 Three Rivers Stadium Ball
4. 2001 Month of the Americas – Spring Training “World Tour” (TB vs. PIT in Mexico City)
5. 2001 PNC Park Opening Day Ball
6. 2006 All-Star Futures Game
7. 2006 All-Star HR Derby
8. 2006 All-Star HR Derby Gold Ball
9. 2006 All-Star Game

1. 1980 WS (PHI)
2. 1983 WS (BAL)
3. 1993 World Series (TOR)
4. 1996 All-Star Game Baseball
5. 2003 Phillies Veteran Stadium Final Game
6. 2004 Phillies Citizen Bank Inaugural Season
7. 2008 World Series (PHI)
8. 2009 World Series (NYY)
9. 2011 Civil Rights Game PHI @ ATL (Same as 2010 STL @ CIN Ball)

1. 1978 WS NYY (75th WS Logo) (1st Commemorative World Series Ball)
2. 1980 All-Star Ball
3. 1981 WS LAD
4. 1988 WS (LAD)
5. 1996 NL Division Series Version 2 (ATL vs. LAD)
6. 2003 Serie De Primavera Mets Dodgers (Spring Series)
7. 2008 Opening Day China Series (Spring) (LAD vs. S.D.)
8. 2010 MLB Taiwan Games (LA Dodgers vs. CPBL, Exhibition Games)

1. 1989 All-Star Game Baseball
2. 2000 Month of the Americas – Spring Training “World Tour” ( Hermosillo, Mexico ARI VS. ANA)
3. 2002 World Series (LAA)
4. 2010 All-Star Futures Game
5. 2010 Home Run Derby
6. 2010 Home Run Derby Gold
7. 2010 All-Star Game
8. 2011 Angels 50th Anniversary Baseball
   

1. 1997 NL Ball Division Series (SF vs. FLA)
2. 1997 NL Ball – NLCS (FLA vs. ATL)
3. 1997 World Series (FLA)
4. 2003 World Series (FLA)
5. 2004 Serie De Primavera Ball (Spring Series) Marlins Astros
6. 2010 San Juan Series (FLA. vs. NYM)
   
7. 2011 Final Game for Florida Marlins, Sun Life Stadium – 9/28/2011

1. 1995 All-Star Game Baseball
2. 1996 AL Division Series Version 2 (TEX VS. NYY)
3. 1998 American League ALDS (NYY vs. TEX, CLE vs. BOS)
4. 1999 American League ALDS (NYY vs. TEX, CLE vs. BOS)
5. 2001 Opening Day San Juan Puerto Rico (TOR vs. TEX)
6. 2010 World Series (SF)
7. 2011 World Series (STL)

1. 1987 All-Star Game Baseball
2. 1988 WS (LAD)
3. 1989 WS (OAK)
4. 1990 WS (CIN)
5. 2001 Month of the Americas – Spring Training “World Tour” (OAK vs. ARI in Hermosillo)
6. 2008 Opening Series Japan (BOS vs. OAK)

1. 1983 All-Star Game Baseball (50th AS Game)
2. 1991 Comiskey Park Inaugural Season (1st Special Event Commemorative)
3. 2003 All-Star Futures Game
4. 2003 Home Run Derby
5. 2003 All-Star Game Baseball
6. 2005 World Series (CHI Sox)

1. 1982 WS (STL)
2. 2000 Milwaukee County Stadium Final Game Ball
3. 2001 Milwaukee Miller Park Opening Day Ball
4. 2002 All-Star Futures
5. 2002 Home Run Derby
6. 2002 All-Star Game

1. 1979 AS SEA (50TH AS Game) (1st Commemorative AS Ball)
2. 1997 AL Ball Division Series (BAL vs. SEA)
3. 1999 SafeCo Field Inaugural Game
4. 2001 All-Star Futures Game
5. 2001 Home Run Derby
6. 2001 All-Star Game Ball

1. 1991 All-Star Game Baseball
2. 1992 World Series (No commissioner stamp) (TOR)
3. 1993 World Series (TOR)
4. 2001 Opening Day San Juan Puerto Rico (TOR vs. TEX)
5. 2005 Toronto Rogers Center Opening Day Ball

1. 1988 All-Star Game Baseball
2. 1990 WS (CIN)
3. 2002 Cincinnati Reds Riverfront Stadium Final Game
4. 2003 Cincinnati Great American Ballpark Opening Day
5. 2010 Civil Rights Game (May 15th STL @ CIN)

1. 1998 NL All-Star Game Colorado Edition
2. 1998 All-Star Game Baseball
3. 2001 Month of the Americas – Spring Training “World Tour” (S.D. vs. COL in Culiacan)
4. 2007 World Series (Red Sox)
5. 2011 Spring Training Inaugural Season, Salt River Fields at Talking Stick (Used all spring by Diamondbacks & Rockies)

1. 1985 All-Star Game Baseball
2. 1987 WS (MIN)
3. 1991 WS (MIN)
4. 2009 HHH Metrodome Final season
5. 2010 Minnesota Target Field Inaugural Season

1. 1998 Tampa Bay Devil Rays Inaugural Season Baseball
2. 2000 Month of the Americas – Spring Training “World Tour” (Venezuela: ATL vs. TB)
3. 2001 Month of the Americas – Spring Training “World Tour” (TB vs. PIT in Mexico City)
4. 2004 Japan Opening Series (NYY vs. TB)
5. 2008 World Series (PHI)

1. 1990 All-Star Game Baseball
2. 1998 National League NLDS (ATL vs. CHC, HOU vs. SD)
3. 2000 Japan Opening Series Opening Day Ball (CHC vs. NYM)

1. 1980 WS (PHI)
2. 1985 WS (KC)
3. 2011 Teams Unite for Joplin – KC vs. STL, June 17-20

1. 1982 All-Star Game Baseball
2. 2004 Expos Puerto Rico Series Ball

1. 2005 Washington Nationals Inaugural Season
2. 2008 DC Park Inaugural Season

1. 2001 Opening Day Ball “2001” (NL Only)
2. 1997 NL Jackie Robinson 50th Anniversary (Opening Day)

1. 2001 100th Anniversary of American League (AL Only)
2. 1997 AL Jackie Robinson 50th Anniversary (Opening Day)

1. 2010 Opening Day (Ceremonial 1st Pitch)
2. 2009 Opening Day
3. 2008 Welcome Back Veterans July 4th
4. 2008 MLB Opening Day
5. 2007 MLB Jackie Robinson 60th Ann.
6. 2007 MLB Opening Day
7. 2006 MLB Opening Day
8. 2005 MLB Opening Day “April”
9. 2005 Jackie Robinson Day
10. 2004 Roberto Clemente Day Baseball (All MLB 9/21/04)
11. 2004 Opening Day Game Ball
12. 2002 Memorial Day American Flag Ball (1st Pitch Ball)
13. 2002 July 4th American Flag (1st Pitch Ball)
14. 2002 September 11th, 2002 American Flag (1st Pitch Ball)
15. 2002 Opening Day American Flag (1st Pitch Ball)
16. 2001 4th of July American Flag
17. 2000 4th of July American Flag Ball
18. 2000 Millennium Edition Inaugural Game Ball
    
19. 2000 Hall of Fame Game (“2000″ – Use Unknown)
    
20. 1990s Spring Training Official MLB Ball (Years Unknown)
21. 1986 Red-Stamped All-Star Game Ball (Use unconfirmed. Houston Astros hosted)
    

CANCELED, UNKNOWN OR PRACTICE-USED

1. 2007 Tampa Bay Rays Launch Party “November 8 2007″ (Used in 2008 Spring Training Games)
2. 2003 Japan Opening Series OAK vs. SEA (Unused / Canceled)
3. 2001 World Series Version 1 (Unused / Redesigned after 9/11)
4. 2001 MLB Cal Ripken Final Game (Unused / Postponed)
5. 2001 Tony Gwynn Final Game Version 2 (Use Unknown)
   
6. 2000 World Series “Subway Series” with NYM, NYY Logos added (Game use unknown, Used in Practice)
   
7. 1994 World Series (Unused / Strike-Ended Season)
   
8. 1992 World Series Version 1 – Faye Vincent Commissioner’s stamp (Unused / Replaced)

I will say after receiving the ball from the MLB.com Shop this past summer, I was pretty impressed with the entire package. I used a discount code the reduce the cost 20%, so that helped. But once I saw the presentation, and the ball itself, I decided it was worth the full cost for a one time purchase. Not looking forward to having to shell out $150 every year so hopefully this won’t become an annual ball, if it does maybe they can cut the cost in half somehow. Onto the good stuff:

The box within the shipping box. Gold Sport Collectibles, LLC on the label, but no Rawlings?

IMPORTANT... A card inserted with the purchase.

UNIQUENESS - One of a kind. The reverse of the card. Or maybe this is the front?

2011 Rawlings 24K Gold Leather Home Run Derby Baseball Certificate of Authenticity.

Glass Case with Wood Base. Did not know this was part of the deal - nice!

A closer look shows the mirror base and name plate.

League Panel

GOLD. Top panel.

24 Karat gold-infused leather sweet spot.

~ ~ ~

Original Article Posted July 14, 2010

We’ve come across plenty of unusual Official Major League Baseballs recently, and this entry to the collection is no exception. Presented below is a multi-color laced (red and blue) Spalding American League Baseball – not Reach – bearing the stamped signature of Joseph Cronin.

What’s even more perplexing is the text around the Spalding stamp. “The 5x Center,” what in the world does that mean?

Spalding American League Cronin Ball with multi-colored laces and "The 5X Center" Stamp

Reverse side of the Spalding American League Cronin 5X Ball

Could this have been a prototype baseball, or even an actual gamer? It certainly shows game use, and it did come from the estate of late Boston Red Sox executive vice president Dick O’Connell, who served in that role for the organization from 1961-1977. He also was the Sox general manager from ’65 – ’77, or so Wikipedia tells us. So there’s plenty of evidence that suggests these baseballs were at least on the field at some point during the late ’60s to early ’70s.

But it’s still likely that these 5X balls were nothing more than a failed experiment. Perhaps tested in spring training or batting practice. Or maybe they were a success? Any changes made to the design of the ball, such as the rubber pill at its core, could have taken place the following year, and would have never effected the outside of the game ball…

As far as these specific balls being used in Official MLB games, that’s still doubtful. Cronin was president of the AL from 1959-1973. Certainly well outside of the red and blue stitched Reach American League Baseball era – which included baseballs like this 1930s Harridge Reach example pictured on the right.

Additionally, lone Spalding stamps did not appear on American League baseballs until the 1975 season, which falls within the Lee MacPhail AL presidency. Though it’s possible that Spalding stamped their experimental baseballs with the regular NL and corporate Spalding stamp well before the Reach label was abandoned; the Spalding Orange Baseballs featured in this Big League Baseballs exclusive Charles O. Finley article are another example.

Spalding Feeney National League Baseball Yellow Laced 5X Center

There is no information about “The 5X Center” available on the web, and we don’t own a library card. So as usual we’re forced to speculate about these rare and very special baseballs.

One thing is for sure, we’ve only seen two of these, both used, and we’ve also seen the 5X Spalding stamp on a Charles Feeney National League ball (pictured on the left), which sold on Ebay several years ago for a nice chunk of change. Wish we were willing to splurge back then.

So if you have any information about these baseballs, feel free to post on the Big League Baseballs Forum or leave a comment in the section below (either way, you’ll need to sign up on the main site or in the Forum).

In the coming weeks, we’ll delve deep into the history of Official Game Balls, and take a look at the very first versions of Major League’s Official Game Ball. We’ll also be offering our loyal readers and forum members the chance to purchase a few extremely rare, impossible to find Official Game Baseballs from… 2010.

UPDATED INFORMATION:

A member of Big League Baseballs Forum sent us the following picture of another 5X Spalding Major League Baseball. This is the second Feeney version we’ve seen, the first is the gold-laced ball picture above. This, like our AL Cronin, has red and blue laces, and is clearly used. Most interesting is the description that came with the ball – originally sold by the Cincinnati Reds team store:

1972 Spalding National League Feeney Red Blue Laced

“Super Scarce Rare 1972 Official Major League “CHARLES FEENEY” Baseball that is still contained in its original packaging bag from the Cincinnati Reds. This genuine National League Baseball was obtained at the Reds Gift Shop in 1972. According to the Cincinnati Reds COA it reads “This to certify that the enclosed 5-X Experimental Baseball is one of a small number produced in 1972 for Major League Baseball. This Baseball, however, was found to be to lively & exceeded maximum velocity restrictions. It’s manufacture was discontinued. This is one of twelve 5-X Baseball being made available to collectors.” This Baseball has multi-colored stitching.”

Forgot to add this post, from the forum Net54Baseball (a great vintage baseball card collectors site with an equally informative baseball memorabilia forum section):

From poster “sphere and ash”: The 5x baseball, so called because it was 5% livelier, was an experimental baseball. It was used during spring training in 1970 and discontinued because of concerns over the safety of both players and fans. Cronin, whose stamp appears on the ball, referred to the 5x derisively as Bowie Kuhn’s “little experiment,” and said, “I’ve seen enough of it. It should be outlawed.”

I own both American and National League 5x balls. The National League ball’s stitches are one color, though lighter than typical. Red and blue stitches would let players and umpires identify the ball immediately–an important design element given potential safety concerns.

So that should help end some of the speculation as the use of these baseballs. We’ve heard similar explanations before, so I’m comfortable saying all of these versions were experimental and used for testing. We’ve also heard that some may have been tested in spring training games.

Christmas is coming early for official baseball collectors and fans of many teams. Rawlings and Major League Baseball have started unveiling the commemorative game balls that the league plans to use next season, and it’s shaping up to be a breakout year for many teams.

We’ve long hoped for more commemoratives recognizing stadium and team anniversaries, and it’s as though the marketing team for Major League Baseball is reading our minds.

For 2012, five baseballs have already been announced – all of which will be used throughout the season. They’ll recognize big milestones for five franchises. And there are plenty more to come. For now, we’ll keep this post quick, but update it as each new Official Rawlings Major League Baseball is released. We apologize for the photos, we’ll eventually replace them with larger files once we get these game balls in our collection.

Red Sox fans and all those attending games in Boston will be able to snag and purchase this game ball all season long at Fenway Park:

Rawlings Boston Red Sox Fenway Park 100th Anniversary Baseball

Dodgers fans and all those attending games in Los Angeles will have a chance to catch a foul ball with this amazing 50th Anniversary stadium logo!

Rawlings Dodger Stadium 50th Anniversary Baseball

The New York Mets and Houston Astros are both commemorating their 50th Season in Major League Baseball by using the following Official Gamers at home games all season long:

2012 Rawlings New York Mets 50th Anniversary Baseball

2012 Rawlings Houston Astros 50th Anniversary Baseball

Final update for today – and possibly for a few weeks – the Baltimore Orioles will be celebrating the 20th Anniversary of Oriole Park at Camden Yards with this official MLB ball – also to be used in all Orioles home games:

2012 Rawlings Oriole Park at Camden Yards 20th Anniversary Baseball

And we’ve still got plenty of baseballs yet to be officially announced – all of the 2012 Rawlings All-Star event balls and potentially a few more commemorative game baseballs (we’re hoping the other baseballs on our wish list make the cut). You can expect all five of the new baseballs to be available for sale early next year by Rawlings Gear and most Rawlings dealers, as well is in respective stadium and team stores.

2012 Japan Opening Series Ball

Japan Series ball picture courtesy of Foley`s NY Pub and Restaurant.

Major League Baseball continues to promote the “Fall Classic” nickname along with the autumn-related branding, such as the two large leaves adoring the main text of the logo.

The American and National League Championship Series have just kicked off. We’ll see either the Milwaukee Brewers or St. Louis Cardinals face-off against the Texas Rangers or Detroit Tigers. Check out our World Series Gallery in the Museum of Baseballs to see all the previous World Series gamers, from 1978-2011.

Although this becomes the 38th World Series Baseball in the Museum, there have only been 33 World Series matchups to feature a commemorative game ball. The 1994 Series was canceled thanks to the strike, and in 1992, 2000 and 2001 multiple baseballs were produced, though not all were used. For additional information about World Series Baseballs and their history check our original post from 2010.