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 used in the 1983 Cracker Jack Old Timers Baseball Classic. The game was played at RFK Stadium in Washington D.C. on July 18.Currently not on view
Description
Baseball used in the 1983 Cracker Jack Old Timers Baseball Classic. The game was played at RFK Stadium in Washington D.C. on July 18.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1983
associated institution
Cracker Jack Old Timers Baseball Classic
maker
Rawlings
ID Number
1984.0229.01
accession number
1984.0229
catalog number
1984.0229.01
Baseball mitt won by 10 time gold-glove winning center fielder Ken Griffey Jr. (b.
Description
Baseball mitt won by 10 time gold-glove winning center fielder Ken Griffey Jr. (b. 1969.) Griffey played Major League baseball for 22 years, starring for the Seattle Mariners (1989-1999, 2009-2010) Cincinnati Reds (2000-2008) and Chicago White Sox (2008.)
The son of a former major league player, Griffey was a thirteen-time all-star known for his home run hitting prowess, belting 630 over the course of his career. He lifetime marks include a .284 batting average, 2,781 hits and 1,836 runs batted in.
1997's American League Most Valuble player, Griffey was elected into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2016.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1993-1994
Associated Name
Griffey, Jr., Ken
Seattle Mariners
maker
Rawlings
ID Number
2017.0334.01
accession number
2017.0334
catalog number
2017.0334.01
Third baseman Brooks Robinson (b. 1937) was known as "The Human Vacuum Cleaner" for his outstanding ability to collect balls hit his way.
Description
Third baseman Brooks Robinson (b. 1937) was known as "The Human Vacuum Cleaner" for his outstanding ability to collect balls hit his way. Winning a record tying sixteen consecutive Gold Glove Awards as the best defenseman at his position, the native Arkansan played his entire Major League career with the Baltimore Orioles (1955-1977.)
An 18 time All-Star, Robinson won the American League Most Valuable Player award in 1964, a year he led the league with 118 runs batted in. The Orioles made four World Series appearances in Robinson's time with the team, winning two (1966 and 1970,) taking home World Series MVP honors in the latter.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1974
user
Robinson, Brooks
maker
Rawlings
ID Number
2017.0084.04
model number
XFLGH
accession number
2017.0084
catalog number
2017.0084.04
Osborne “Ozzie” Smith (b. 1954) played shortstop in the Major Leagues for the San Diego Padres (1978-1981,) before joining the St.
Description
Osborne “Ozzie” Smith (b. 1954) played shortstop in the Major Leagues for the San Diego Padres (1978-1981,) before joining the St. Louis Cardinals (1982-1996.) Beloved player by fans who delighted in his exuberance, Smith was a rarity who attained stardom primarily due to his defensive abilities.
One of the best fielding shortstops in history, Smith’s amazing glove work led him to be known as “The Wizard of Oz.” Setting Major League records for assists and double plays at his position, the reliable Smith earned 13 gold glove recognitions and made 15 National League All Star Teams.
With Smith anchoring the infield, the Cardinals reached the World Series three times, winning in 1982. After retirement Smith has remained active in baseball and had been a television host, author and entrepreneur. He was elected into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2002.
Location
Currently not on view
user
Smith, Ozzie
maker
Rawlings
ID Number
2017.0084.10
accession number
2017.0084
catalog number
2017.0084.10
Black leather baseball glove used by outfielder Rickey Henderson (b.1958.) as a member of the Oakland A's. Autographed by Henderson in silver ink on top of thumb.Rickey Henderson (b.1958) played Major League Baseball for the Oakland Athletics (1979-1984, 1989-1993.
Description
Black leather baseball glove used by outfielder Rickey Henderson (b.1958.) as a member of the Oakland A's. Autographed by Henderson in silver ink on top of thumb.
Rickey Henderson (b.1958) played Major League Baseball for the Oakland Athletics (1979-1984, 1989-1993. 1994-1995, 1998,) New York Yankees (1985-1989,) Toronto Blue Jays (1993,) San Diego Padres (1996-1997,) Boston Red Sox (2002) and Los Angeles Dodgers (2003.) Henderson set Major League career records for stolen bases, 1,406 and runs, 2,295.
Batting right, but throwing left, Henderson primarily played left field and batted leadoff. He compiled a lifetime .279 batting average with 3,055 hits, 297 home runs and 1,115 runs batted in. A 10-time All-Star, Henderson won the American League most valuable player award in 1990. He was twice a World Series champion, in 1989 (Athletics) and 1993 (Blue Jays.)
Henderson was elected into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2007.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1990
Associated Name
Henderson, Rickey
Oakland Athletics
maker
Rawlings
ID Number
2017.0334.09
catalog number
2017.0334.09
accession number
2017.0334
San Diego Padres outfielder Tony Gwynn hit this baseball to achieve his 1,000th career hit. Gwynn inscribed the ball to commorate his achievement.
Description
San Diego Padres outfielder Tony Gwynn hit this baseball to achieve his 1,000th career hit. Gwynn inscribed the ball to commorate his achievement. The game was a 3-1 victory over the Houston Astros held on April 22, 1988.
Outfielder Anthony Tony Gwynn (1960-2014) played Major League Baseball for the San Diego Padres from 1960-2014. One of the greatest hitters of all-time, Gwynn, an 8-time National League batting champion, finishing his career with a lifetime.338 batting average and 3,141 hits.
The left hander was a 15 time All-Star and 1999's Roberto Clemente award recipient. After retiring, he became coach of the San Diego State University baseball team, leading the Aztecs to a 363-363 record from 2003-2014.
Known as Mr. Padre, Gwynn has had his number 19 retired by San Diego. He was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2007.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1988
Associated Name
Gwynn, Tony
San Diego Padres
maker
Rawlings
ID Number
2017.0334.05
catalog number
2017.0334.05
accession number
2017.0334
Stan "The Man" Musial (1920-2013) played first base for the St. Louis Cardinals from 1941 to 1963, winning seven National League batting titles, finishing his career with an amazing .331 batting average.
Description
Stan "The Man" Musial (1920-2013) played first base for the St. Louis Cardinals from 1941 to 1963, winning seven National League batting titles, finishing his career with an amazing .331 batting average. Extraordinarily consistent at the plate, Musial retired with 3,630 hits, fourth most in baseball history, as well as 475 home runs and 1,951 runs batted in.
Playing outfield for the Cardinals, the native of Pennsylvania won three National League Most Valuable Player trophies (1943, 1946, and 1948,) and led St. Louis to three world championships (1942, 1944, and 1946.) The 24 time All Star was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1969.
Musial, considered one of the sport's most courteous and generous stars, maintained close ties to the St. Louis community and has been involved in numerous philanthropic and goodwill efforts. President Obama, who awarded Musial the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2011, said "Stan remains to this day, an icon, untarnished, a beloved pillar of the community, a gentleman you'd want your kids to emulate."
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1952
user
Musial, Stan
maker
Rawlings
ID Number
2017.0084.11
catalog number
2017.0084.11
accession number
2017.0084
San Diego Padres baseball jersey worn by Tony Gwynn.Outfielder Anthony Tony Gwynn (1960-2014) played Major League Baseball for the San Diego Padres from 1960-2014.
Description
San Diego Padres baseball jersey worn by Tony Gwynn.
Outfielder Anthony Tony Gwynn (1960-2014) played Major League Baseball for the San Diego Padres from 1960-2014. One of the greatest hitters of all-time, Gwynn, an 8-time National League batting champion, finishing his career with a lifetime.338 batting average and 3,141 hits.
The left hander was a 15 time All-Star and 1999's Roberto Clemente award recipient. After retiring, he became coach of the San Diego State University baseball team, leading the Aztecs to a 363-363 record from 2003-2014.
Known as Mr. Padre, Gwynn has had his number 19 retired by San Diego. He was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2007.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1987-1990
Associated Name
Gwynn, Tony
San Diego Padres
maker
Rawlings
ID Number
2017.0334.04
catalog number
2017.0334.04
accession number
2017.0334
Osborne Ozzie Smith (b. 1954) played shortstop in the Major Leagues for the San Diego Padres (1978-1981,) before joining the St.
Description
Osborne Ozzie Smith (b. 1954) played shortstop in the Major Leagues for the San Diego Padres (1978-1981,) before joining the St. Louis Cardinals (1982-1996.) Beloved player by fans who delighted in his exuberance, Smith was a rarity who attained stardom primarily due to his defensive abilities.
One of the best fielding shortstops in history, Smith's amazing glove work led him to be known as The Wizard of Oz. Setting Major League records for assists and double plays at his position, the reliable Smith earned 13 gold glove recognitions and made 15 National League All Star Teams.
With Smith anchoring the infield, the Cardinals reached the World Series three times, winning in 1982. After retirement Smith has remained active in baseball and had been a television host, author and entrepreneur. He was elected into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2002
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1986
user
Smith, Ozzie
maker
Rawlings
ID Number
2017.0084.09
accession number
2017.0084
catalog number
2017.0084.09
Rawlings brand baseball glove worn by Baltimore Orioles shortstop Cal Ripken Jr.Shortstop Cal Ripken Jr. (b.1960) played Major League baseball's Baltimore Orioles from 1981-2001.
Description
Rawlings brand baseball glove worn by Baltimore Orioles shortstop Cal Ripken Jr.
Shortstop Cal Ripken Jr. (b.1960) played Major League baseball's Baltimore Orioles from 1981-2001. Ripken is known as baseball's Iron Man as he holds the Major League record for most consecutive games played (2,130.)
1982's American League rookie of the year, Ripken was a 19 time All-Star, two-time American League Most Valuable Player (1983,1991,) two-time gold glove award winner (1991, 1992) and a World Series champion (1983.)
With a lifetime .276 batting average Ripken amassed 431 home runs and 1,695 runs-batted-in over the course of his career. He broke New York Yankee first baseman Lou Gehrig's consecutive games record, set in 1925, on September 19, 1998.
Following his career, Ripken has been praised for his charitable work. In 2007 he was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1999
Associated Name
Ripkin, Jr., Cal
Baltimore Orioles
maker
Rawlings
ID Number
2017.0334.02
catalog number
2017.0334.02
accession number
2017.0334
Baseball signed by participants in the 1984 Major League Baseball All-Star Game . The exhibition was held on July 10th in Candlestick Park, home of the San Francisco Giants. It was won by the National League All-Stars by a score of 3-1.
Description
Baseball signed by participants in the 1984 Major League Baseball All-Star Game . The exhibition was held on July 10th in Candlestick Park, home of the San Francisco Giants. It was won by the National League All-Stars by a score of 3-1. The game's MVP was Montreal Expo's catcher Gary Carter. The ball was collected by American jazz singer Ella Fitzgerald (1917-1996), who was also an avid baseball fan.
Autographs include Al Holland; Keith Hernandez; Dwight Gooden; Bob Brenly; Tim Wallach; Charlie Lea; Rafael Ramirez; Mike Schmidt; Mario Soto; Dale Murphy; Jesse Orosco; Tim Wallach; Tim Raines; Chili Davis; Jody Davis; Tony Gwynn; Ryne Sandberg.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1984
recipient
Fitzgerald, Ella
maker
Rawlings
ID Number
1996.0342.109
accession number
1996.0342
catalog number
1996.0342.109
Baseball signed by the 1982 San Francisco Giants. That season the Giants finished 87-75, 3rd in the National League West.
Description
Baseball signed by the 1982 San Francisco Giants. That season the Giants finished 87-75, 3rd in the National League West. The ball was collected by American jazz singer Ella Fitzgerald (1917-1996), who was also an avid baseball fan.
Autographs include Frank Robinson; Bob Brenly; Chris Brown; Chili Davis; Jose Barrios; Reggie Smith; Mark Dempsey; Dan Schatzeder; Joe Morgan; Jack Clark.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1982
recipient
Fitzgerald, Ella
presenter
Los Angeles Dodgers
maker
Rawlings
ID Number
1996.0342.107
accession number
1996.0342
catalog number
1996.0342.107
This ball was signed by members of the 1984 San Francisco Giants. That season the Giants finished 66-96, 6th in the National League West.
Description
This ball was signed by members of the 1984 San Francisco Giants. That season the Giants finished 66-96, 6th in the National League West. The autographed baseball was collected by American jazz singer Ella Fitzgerald (1917-1996), who was also an avid baseball fan.
Autographs include George Riley; Joel Youngblood; Mark Calvert; Bob Brenly; Dusty Baker; Chris Brown; John Rabb; Dan Gladden; Steve Nicosia; Mark Grant; Bill Laskey; Scot Thompson; Fran Mullins; John Clark; Duane Kuiper.
Location
Currently not on view
recipient
Fitzgerald, Ella
manufacturer
Rawlings
ID Number
1996.0342.106
accession number
1996.0342
catalog number
1996.0342.106

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