Sports & Leisure

The nation's passion for sports is obvious every day—at NASCAR races, kiddie soccer matches, and countless other contests. From a handball used by Abraham Lincoln to Chris Evert's tennis racket to a baseball signed by Jackie Robinson, the roughly 6.000 objects in the Museum's sports collections bear witness to the vital place of sports in the nation's history. Paper sports objects in the collections, such as souvenir programs and baseball cards, number in the hundreds of thousands.

Leisure collections encompass a different range of objects, including camping vehicles and gear, video games, playing cards, sportswear, exercise equipment, and Currier and Ives prints of fishing, hunting, and horseracing. Some 4,000 toys dating from the colonial period to the present are a special strength of the collections.

Baseball autographed by Satchell Paige and the 1951 St.
Description
Baseball autographed by Satchell Paige and the 1951 St. Louis Browns.That season the Browns went 52-102, 8th in the American League.
Autographs include Satchel Paige; Ken Wood; Bob Young; Matt Bates; Fred Marsh; Sherm Lollar; Hank Arft; Frank Saucier; Jack Maguire; Bill Jennings; Jim Suchecki; Jim Delsing; Bob Mahoney.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1951
signer
Paige, Satchel
maker
Spalding
ID Number
2005.0195.01
accession number
2005.0195
catalog number
2005.0195.01
Baseball signed by the 1965 Los Angeles Dodgers.
Description
Baseball signed by the 1965 Los Angeles Dodgers. That season the Dodgers finished 97-65, 1st in the National League, winning the World Series over the Minnesota Twins 4 games to 3.
Autographs include Ron Fairly; Nate Oliver; Howie Reed; John Kennedy; Sandy Koufax; Don LeJohn; Maury Willis; Ron Perranoski; Hector Valle; Bill Singer; Jim Lefebvre; Derell Griffith; Jeff Torborg; Bob Miller; Lefty Phillips; Nick Willhite; Claude Osteen; Wally Moon.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1965
associated institution
Los Angeles Dodgers
signer
Fairly, Ron
Koufax, Sandy
Perranoski, Ron
Osteen, Claude
maker
Spalding
ID Number
1984.0228.01
accession number
1984.0228
catalog number
1984.0228.01
Baseball signed by the 1924 Washington Senators.
Description
Baseball signed by the 1924 Washington Senators. That year the Senators finished 92-62, 1st in the American League, winning the 1924 World Series over the New York Giants 4 games to 3.
Autographs include By Speece; Ossie Bluege; Wild Matthews; Walter Johnson; Lloyd Brown.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1924
associated institution
The Washington Senators
ID Number
1984.0201.01
accession number
1984.0201
catalog number
1984.0201.01
Baseball autographed by Don Drysdale (1936-1993). The right handed pitcher played for the Brooklyn/ Los Angeles Dodgers from 1956-1969.
Description
Baseball autographed by Don Drysdale (1936-1993). The right handed pitcher played for the Brooklyn/ Los Angeles Dodgers from 1956-1969. Drysdale finished his career with a win-loss record of 209-166, having been named to nine All-Star Teams and receiving the Cy Young Award in 1962. He was a contributor to three World Series Champion Dodger teams (1959, 1963 and 1965). Drysdale has had his number 53 retired by the Los Angeles Dodgers, and was elected into Major League Baseball's Hall of Fame in 1984.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1960s
associated institution
Los Angeles Dodgers
signer
Drysdale, Don
maker
Spalding
ID Number
1984.0228.02
accession number
1984.0228
catalog number
1984.0228.02
Baseball signed by the 1949 Philadelphia Athletics.
Description
Baseball signed by the 1949 Philadelphia Athletics. That season, the A's finished 81-73, 5th in the American League.
Autographs include Connie Mack; Eddie Frost; Nellie Fox; Ferris Fain; Pete Suder; Eddie Joost; Hank Majeski; Wally Moses; Sam Chapman; Elmer Valo; Mike Guerra; Don White; Taffy Wright; Alex Kellner; Joe Coleman; Lou Brissie; Dick Fowler; Carl Scheib; Bobby Shantz.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1949
signer
Mack, Connie
Frost, Eddie
Fox, Nellie
maker
Harwood
ID Number
CL.310547.129
accession number
310547
catalog number
310547.129
Baseball signed by the 1933 New York Giants.
Description
Baseball signed by the 1933 New York Giants. That season the Giants went 91-61, winning the National League and beating the Washington Senators in the World Series 4 games to 1.
Autographs include Mel Ott; Carl Hubbell; Bill Terry; Hughie Critz; Blondy Ryan; Johnny Vergez; Kiddo Davis; Jo-Jo Moore; Gus Mancuso; Lefty O'Doul; Sam Leslie; Hal Schumacher; Freddie Fitzsimmons; Roy Parmelee; Hi Bell; Dolf Luque.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1933
associated institution
New York Giants
maker
Harwood
ID Number
CL.310547.136
accession number
310547
catalog number
310547.136
Baseball signed by the 1949 Chicago White Sox.
Description
Baseball signed by the 1949 Chicago White Sox. That season the White Sox finished 63-91, 6th in the American League.
Autographs include Luke Appling; Steve "Bud" Souchock; Ed Klieman; Fred Hancock; Mickey Haefner; Cass Michaels; Eddie Malone; Billy Pierce; Don Wheeler; Bob Kuzava; Floyd Baker; Howie Judson; Randy Gumpert; Marino "Chick" Pieretti; Ray Berres; Buster Mills.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1949
associated institution
Chicago White Sox
maker
Harwood
ID Number
CL.310547.118
accession number
CL*310547
catalog number
CL*310547.118
Baseball signed by the 1935 Chicago Cubs.
Description
Baseball signed by the 1935 Chicago Cubs. That season the Cubs finished 100-54, 1st in the National League, losing the World Series to the Detroit Tigers 4 games to 2.
Autographs include Augie Galen; Phil Cavarretta; Frank Demaree; Billy Herman; Gabby Hartnett; Stan Hack; Billy Jurges; Freddie Lindstrom; Chuck Klein; Lon Warneke; Larry French; Fabian Kowalick; Tex Carleton; Roy Henshaw; Bill Lee; Walter Stephenson; Ken O'Dea.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1935
maker
Davega Sports
ID Number
CL.310547.156
accession number
310547
catalog number
310547.156
Baseball signed by the 1949 St. Louis Cardinals.
Description
Baseball signed by the 1949 St. Louis Cardinals. That year the Cardinals finished 96-58, second in the National League.
Autographs include Marty Marion; Enos Slaughter; Nippy Jones; Frank Lane; Red Munger; Stan Musial; Joe Garagiola; Fred Martin; Bill Reeder; Gerry Staley; Bill Baker; Ted Wilks; Red Schoendienst; Rocky Nelson; Chuck Diering; Max Lanier; Al Brazle; Del Rice; Ron Northey; Eddie Kazak; Howie Pollett.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1949
associated institution
St. Louis Cardinals
maker
Wilson Sporting Goods Company
ID Number
CL.310547.152
accession number
310547
catalog number
310547.152
Baseball signed by the 1949 Cleveland Indians.
Description
Baseball signed by the 1949 Cleveland Indians. That season the Indians finished 89-65, 3rd in the American League.
Autographs include Lou Boudreau; Mickey Vernon; Early Wynn; Bob Lernon; Joe Gordon; Ken Keltner; Bob Kennedy; Larry Doby; Dale Mitchell; Jim Hegan; Ray Boone; Thurman Tucker; Bob Lemon; Bob Feller; Mike Garcia; Early Wynn; Al Benton; Gene Bearden; Steve Gromek; Satchel Paige.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1949
associated institution
Cleveland Indians
signer
Boudreau, Lou
Vernon, Mickey
Wynn, Early
Lernon, Bob
maker
A. J. Reach Co.
ID Number
CL.310547.131
catalog number
310547.131
accession number
310547
Baseball signed by the 1935 St. Louis Browns.
Description
Baseball signed by the 1935 St. Louis Browns. That season the Browns finished 65-87, 7th in the American League.
Autographs include Rogers Hornsby; Jack Burns; Tom Carey; Lyn Lary; Harlond Clift; Ed Coleman; Sam West; Moose Solters; Rollie Hemsley; Ray Pepper; Beau Bell; Johnny Burnett; Ollie Bejma; Ivy Andrews; Jack Knott; Jim Walkup; Russ Van Atta; Sugar Cain; Fay Thomas; Dick Coffman.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1935
associated institution
St. Louis Browns
maker
Anchor Brand
ID Number
CL.310547.150
accession number
310547
catalog number
310547.150
Baseball signed by the 1935 Cleveland Indians.
Description
Baseball signed by the 1935 Cleveland Indians. That season, the Indians finished 82-71, 3rd in the American League.
Autographs include Ed Gharrity; Stan O'Neill; Hal Trosky; Boze Berger; Bill Knickerbocker; Odell Hale; Bruce Campbell; Earl Averill; Joe Vosmik; Eddie Phillips; Roy Hughes; Milt Galatzer; Ab Wright; Mel Harder; Willis Hudlin; Monte Pearson; Thornton Lee; Oral Hildebrand; Lloyd Brown; Lefty Stewart.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1935
associated institution
Cleveland Indians
maker
Draper-Maynard
ID Number
CL.310547.130
accession number
310547
catalog number
310547.130
Baseball signed by the 1930 St. Louis Cardinals. That year the Cardinals finished 92-62, 1st in the National League.
Description
Baseball signed by the 1930 St. Louis Cardinals. That year the Cardinals finished 92-62, 1st in the National League. The Cardinals lost the World Series to the Philadelphia Athletics 4 games to 2.
Autographs include Jim Bottomley; Frankie Frisch; Charlie Gelbert; Sparky Adams; George Watkins; Taylor Douthit; Chick Hafey; Jimmie Wilson; Showboat Fisher; Gus Mancuso; Andy High; Ray Blades; Bill Hallahan; Syl Johnson; Jesse Haines; Burleigh Grimes; Flint Rhem; Hi Bell; Al Grabowski; Jim Lindsey.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1930
associated institution
St. Louis Cardinals
maker
P. Goldsmith Sons Co.
ID Number
CL.310547.148
accession number
310547
catalog number
310547.148
Baseball signed by the 1949 Boston Red Sox.
Description
Baseball signed by the 1949 Boston Red Sox. That season, the Red Sox finished 86-58, 2nd in the American League.
Autographs include Billy Goodman; Bobby Doerr; Vern Stephens; Johnny Pesky; Al Zarilla; Dom DiMaggio; Ted Williams; Birdie Tebbetts; Matt Batts; Mel Parnell; Ellis Kinder; Joe Dobson; Chuck Stobbs; Jack Kramer; Walt Masterson.
Location
Currently not on view
signer
McCarthy, Joe
DiMaggio, Dom
Doerr, Bob
maker
Harwood
ID Number
CL.310547.133
accession number
310547
catalog number
310547.133
Baseball signed by the 1952 Brooklyn Dodgers.
Description (Brief)
Baseball signed by the 1952 Brooklyn Dodgers. That season the Dodgers finished 96-57, 1st in the National League, losing to the New York Yankees in the World Series 4 games to 3.
Autographs include Jackie Robinson; Carl Erskine; Billy Cox; Roy Campanella; Gil Hodges; Duke Snider; Pee Wee Reese; Carl Furillo; Andy Pafko; George Shuba; Bobby Morgan; Billy Loes; Ben Wade; Preacher Roe; Joe Black; Chris Van Cuyk; Johnny Rutherford; Clem Labine.
date made
1952
signer
Robinson, Jackie
associated institution
Brooklyn Dodgers
maker
A. J. Reach Co.
ID Number
CL.310547.154
accession number
310547
catalog number
310547.154
Autographed baseball signed by the 1953 Chicago White Sox.
Description
Autographed baseball signed by the 1953 Chicago White Sox. That season, the White Sox finished 89-65, 3rd in the American League.
Autographs include Nelson Fox; Bob Elliott; Ferris Fain; Chico Carrasquel; Bob Elliot; Sam Mele; Jim Rivera; Minnie Minoso; Sherm Lollar; Bob Boyd; Red Wilson; Tom Wright; Billy Pierce; Virgil Trucks; Mike Fornieles; Fritz Dorish; Saul Rogovin; Sandy Consuegra; Joe Dobson; Bob Keegan.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1953
associated institution
Chicago White Sox
maker
Zacko's
ID Number
CL.310547.119
accession number
310547
catalog number
310547.119
Baseball signed by the 1943 New York Yankees. That season the Yankees finished 98-56, winning the World Series over the St.
Description
Baseball signed by the 1943 New York Yankees. That season the Yankees finished 98-56, winning the World Series over the St. Louis Cardinals 4 games to 1.
Autographs include Joe McCarthy; Spud Chandler; Joe Gordon; Frank Crosetti; Bill Dickey; Billy Johnson; Nick Etten; Charlie Keller; Tuck Stainback; Johnny Lindell; Bud Metheny; Marius Russo; Hank Borowy; Tiny Bonham; Roy Weatherly; Snuffy Stirnweiss.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1943
associated institution
New York Yankees
maker
Harwood
ID Number
CL.310547.124
accession number
310547
catalog number
310547.124
Baseball signed by the 1949 Philadelphia Phillies.
Description
Baseball signed by the 1949 Philadelphia Phillies. That season the Phillies finished 81-73, 3rd in the National League.
Autographs include Schoolboy Rowe; Curt Simmons; Stan Lopato; Robin Roberts; Dick Sisler; Eddie Miller; Granny Hamner; Willie Jones; Bill Nicholson; Richie Ashburn; Del Ennis; Andy Seminick; Stan Hollmig; Eddie Waitkus; Mike Goliat; Buddy Blattner; Ken Heintzelman; Russ Meyer; Hank Borowy; Curt Simmons; Jim Konstanty.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1949
associated institution
Philadelphia Phillies
maker
Harwood
ID Number
CL.310547.135
accession number
310547
catalog number
310547.135
Baseball signed by the 1953 Milwaukee Braves. That season the Braves finished 92-62, 2nd in the National League.Autographs include Ebba St.
Description
Baseball signed by the 1953 Milwaukee Braves. That season the Braves finished 92-62, 2nd in the National League.
Autographs include Ebba St. Claire; John Antonelli; Joe Adcock; Jack Dittmer; Johnny Logan; Eddie Mathews; Andy Pafko; Bill Bruton; Sid Gordon; Dell Crandall; Jim Pendleton; Warren Spahn; Lew Burdette; Max Surkont; Bob Buhl; Don Liddle; Jim Wilson.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1953
associated institution
Milwaukee Braves
ID Number
CL.310547.145
catalog number
310547.145
accession number
310547
Baseball signed by the 1949 Cincinnati Reds.
Description
Baseball signed by the 1949 Cincinnati Reds. That season, the Reds finished 62-92, 7th in the National League.
Autographs include Dixie Howell; Bucky Waters; Ted Kluszewski; Jimmy Bloodworth; Virgil Stallcup; Grady Hatton; Johnny Wyrostek; Lloyd Merriman; Peanuts Lowrey; Walker Cooper; Harry Walker; Danny Litwhiler; Bobby Adams; Dixie Howell; Ken Raffensberger; Howie Fox; Herm Wehmeier; Johny Vander Meer; Eddie Erautt; Buddy Lively; Ewell Blackwell.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1949
associated institution
Cincinnati Reds
maker
Harwood
ID Number
CL.310547.142
accession number
310547
catalog number
310547.142
Baseball signed by the 1935 Brooklyn Dodgers.
Description
Baseball signed by the 1935 Brooklyn Dodgers. That season the Dodgers finished 70-83, 5th in the National League.
Autographs include Casey Stengel; Sam Leslie; Tony Cuccinello; Lonny Frey; Joe Stripp; Buzz Boyle; Frenchy Bordagaray; Danny Taylor; Al Lopez; Jim Bucher; Len Koenecke; Jimmy Jordan; Babe Phelps; Van Mungo; Watty Clark; George Earnshaw; Tom Zachary; Johnny Babich; Dutch Leonard; Ray Benge.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1935
associated institution
Brooklyn Dodgers
Associated Name
Stengel, Casey
maker
Davega Sports
ID Number
CL.310547.153
accession number
310547
catalog number
310547.153
Baseball signed by the 1935 Washington Senators.
Description
Baseball signed by the 1935 Washington Senators. That season the Senators finished 67-86, 6th in the American League.
Autographs include Joe Kuhel; Buddy Myer; Ossie Bluege; Cecil Travis; John Stone; Jake Powell; Heinie Manush; Cliff Bolton; Red Kress; Fred Schulte; Dee Miles; Sammy Holbrook; Earl Whitehill; Bump Hadley; Bobo Newsome; Ed Linke; Jack Russell; Leon Pettit; Bucky Harris.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1935
maker
A. J. Reach Co.
ID Number
CL.310547.114
accession number
CL*310547
catalog number
CL*310547.114
Autographed baseball signed by the 1949 Detroit Tigers.
Description
Autographed baseball signed by the 1949 Detroit Tigers. That season the Tigers finished 87-67, 4th in the American League.
Autographs include Johnny Groth; Paul Campbell; Neil Berry; Johnny Lipon; George Kell; Vic Wertz; Johnny Groth; Hoot Evers; Aaron Robinson; Don Kolloway; Pat Mullin; Eddie Lake; Bob Swift; Hal Newhouser; Virgil Trucks; Art Houtteman; Ted Gray; Fred Hutchinson; Dizzy Trout; Red Rolfe.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1949
associated institution
Detroit Tigers
maker
Harwood
ID Number
CL.310547.121
accession number
310547
catalog number
310547.121
Autographed baseball signed by the 1936 Chicago White Sox.
Description
Autographed baseball signed by the 1936 Chicago White Sox. That season the White Sox finished 81-70, 4th in the American League.
Autographs include Zeke Bonura; Jackie Hayes; Luke Appling; Jimmy Dykes; Mule Haas; Mike Kreevich; Rip Radcliff; Luke Sewell; Tony Piet; Larry Rosenthal; Vern Kennedy; John Whitehead; Sugar Cain; Ted Lyons; Monty Stratton; Clint Brown; Ray Phelps; Jimmy Dikes.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1936
associated institution
Chicago White Sox
maker
A. J. Reach Co.
ID Number
CL.310547.117
accession number
CL*310547
catalog number
CL*310547.117

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