BIG LEAGUE BASEBALLS

Updated for 2012: Rawlings Official Commemorative Major League Baseballs by Team

By BLB Admin on December 7th, 2012

UPDATED: 12/7/2012

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 (29)
2. Atlanta Braves (21)
3. St. Louis Cardinals (19)
4. Cleveland Indians, Arizona Diamondbacks, Boston Red Sox, Houston Astros, San Fransisco Giants (13)
5. New York Mets, Detroit Tigers, Baltimore Orioles (11)
6. San Diego Padres, Los Angeles Dodgers (10)
   
7. Pittsburgh Pirates, Philadelphia Phillies, Florida Marlins (9)
8. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim,Texas Rangers, Oakland A’s, Kansas City Royals (8)
9. Seattle Mariners (7)
   
10. Chicago White Sox, Milwaukee Brewers, Cincinnati Reds (6)
11. Minnesota Twins, Tampa Bay Rays, Toronto Blue Jays, Colorado Rockies (5)
12. Chicago Cubs, Washington Nationals (3)
13. Montreal Expos (2)

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 (2012 Update: since adding the 2012 All-Star Event balls, the Royals have jumped up the list) 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.

Granted, the Cubs haven’t received the post-20o4 All-Star Game Host bump, which guarantees at least four to five baseballs for the hosting team (All-Star Game, Home Run Derby, Home Run Derby Gold, All-Star Futures Game and now 24-Karat Gold HR Derby Balls). 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 Mets will host the 2013 All-Star Game, while the Cubs (2014 – 100th Anniversary of Wrigley Field), Marlins (possibly 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.

Finally, and we’re undecided on this point – we did include a few cases where an official game ball was made for an event, but not used despite the fact the event took place. Examples are the Home Run Derby Gold Replicas and the 2012 Marlins Opening Night balls. Unsure what to do with those, so we erred on the side of “the more available to collect, the better.” Oh one last note – although that Marlins Park Inaugural Game ball is truly for only the Marlins, the Cardinals logo is part of the design, since they were the opponent, therefore the ball is also added to the Cardinals list.

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)
29. 2012 Postseason Game Ball (Used in Wild Card, Division & Championship Series)

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 & 2012 @ Atlanta Braves
20. 2012 Chipper Jones Retirement Game Ball (9/28-9/30, Final Home Series vs. Mets)
21. 2012 Postseason Game Ball (Used in Wild Card, Division & Championship Series)

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)
18. 2012 Marlins Park Ceremonial Opening Night Ball 4/4/12 vs. St. Louis Cardinals (Unused)
19. 2012 Postseason Game Ball (Used in Wild Card, Division & Championship Series)

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
13. 2012 100th Anniversary at Fenway Park – Boston Red Sox

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)
13. 2012 50th Anniversary, Houston Astros

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
12. 2012 Postseason Game Ball (Used in Wild Card, Division & Championship Series)
13. 2012 World Series (SF)

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)
11. 2012 50th Anniversary, New York Mets

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
10. 2012 20th Anniversary Oriole Park at Camden Yards, Baltimore
11. 2012 Postseason Game Ball (Used in Wild Card, Division & Championship Series)

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)
10. 2012 Postseason Game Ball (Used in Wild Card, Division & Championship Series)
11. 2012 World Series (SF)

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. 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)
9. 2012 50th Anniversary Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium
10. 2010-12 Civil Rights Game Ball, Atlanta Braves vs. LA Dodgers

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. 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
8. 2012 Marlins Park Ceremonial Opening Night Ball 4/4/12 vs. St. Louis Cardinals (Unused)
9. 2012 Inaugural Season, Miami Marlins & Marlins Park

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. 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)
8. 2012 Postseason Game Ball (Used in Wild Card, Division & Championship Series)

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)
7. 2012 Japan Opening Series Seattle Mariners vs. Oakland Athletics
8. 2012 Postseason Game Ball (Used in Wild Card, Division & Championship Series)

1. 1980 WS (PHI)
2. 1985 WS (KC)
3. 2011 Teams Unite for Joplin – KC vs. STL, June 17-20
4. 2012 All-Star Futures Game Baseball Kansas City Royals
5. 2012 All-Star Home Run Derby Ball, Kansas City Royals
6. *2012 All-Star Gold Home Run Derby Replica Baseball KC Royals (Unused)
7. 2012 All-Star Home Run Derby 24 Karat Gold-Infused Leather Ball KC Royals
8. 2012 All-Star Game, Kansas City Royals

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
7. 2012 Japan Opening Series Seattle Mariners vs. Oakland Athletics

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. 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)
6. 2012 Postseason Game Ball (Used in Wild Card, Division & Championship Series)

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. 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. 2005 Washington Nationals Inaugural Season
2. 2008 DC Park Inaugural Season
3. 2012 Postseason Game Ball (Used in Wild Card, Division & Championship Series)

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

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)

One Response to “Updated for 2012: Rawlings Official Commemorative Major League Baseballs by Team”

1. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim to use Commemorative Rawlings 50th Anniversary Baseballs for 2011. | BIG LEAGUE BASEBALLS says:

   January 14, 2011 at 7:06 pm

   [...] complete list of baseballs by team, a BigLeagueBaseballs.com exclusive, can be found on our site. This bumps the Angels into a tie, temporarily, for 9th most commemorative baseballs along with the [...]