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 bat used by Pete Rose as a member of the Cincinnati Reds.Peter Pete Rose (b. 1941) currently has the record for most hits in American Major League Baseball with 4,256.
Description
Baseball bat used by Pete Rose as a member of the Cincinnati Reds.
Peter Pete Rose (b. 1941) currently has the record for most hits in American Major League Baseball with 4,256. Known as Charlie Hustle for his aggressive style of play, Rose was a seventeen-time all-star, led the National League in batting three times, and was named the League's Most Valuable Player in 1973. Following his playing career, Rose managed the Cincinnati Reds, where, in 1989, he was found guilty of betting on baseball games. This led to his placement on Major League Baseballs ineligible list, effectively banning him from the sport.
Rose, who appeared in more games (3,562) and had more at-bats (14,053) than any other MLB player, played for the Cincinnati Reds (1963-1978, 1984-1986) Philadelphia Phillies (1979-1983) and Montreal Expos (1984.) A switch-hitter, Rose starred as both infielder and outfielder, winning two gold gloves.
The National League's Rookie of the Year in 1963, Rose helped lead Cincinnati's Big Red Machine to back to back World Series titles in 1975 and 1976. He would attain a third championship ring as a member of the Phillies in 1980.
With a lifetime batting average of .303, Rose had 160 home runs and 1,314 runs batted in for his career. In 1977, he hit safely in 44 straight games, tying the longest streak in National League history. He broke Ty Cobb's long-standing all-time hit record in 1985, retiring the following season.
Named manager of the Reds in 1984, Rose compiled a 412-373 record before being placed on baseball's ineligible list for gambling on baseball. This status has kept Rose away from most MLB baseball functions, including eligibility for induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
In 1990 Rose was sentenced to five months in a Federal penitentiary for filing false income tax returns.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1969-1970
Associated Name
Rose, Pete
Cincinnati Reds
maker
Louisville Slugger
ID Number
2017.0334.15
catalog number
2017.0334.15
accession number
2017.0334
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1975
photographer
Regan, Ken
ID Number
2014.0112.194
catalog number
2014.0112.194
accession number
2014.0112
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1975
photographer
Regan, Ken
ID Number
2014.0112.189
catalog number
2014.0112.189
accession number
2014.0112
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1975
photographer
Regan, Ken
ID Number
2014.0112.191
catalog number
2014.0112.191
accession number
2014.0112
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
photographer
Regan, Ken
ID Number
2014.0112.193
catalog number
2014.0112.193
accession number
2014.0112
Black finished baseball bat used by outfielder Rickey Henderson as a member of the Oakland A's. Silver lettering on bat, including facsimile of Henderson's signature.
Description
Black finished baseball bat used by outfielder Rickey Henderson as a member of the Oakland A's. Silver lettering on bat, including facsimile of Henderson's signature. Model T141.
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
Louisville Slugger
ID Number
2017.0334.10
catalog number
2017.0334.10
accession number
2017.0334
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
photographer
Regan, Ken
ID Number
2014.0112.199
catalog number
2014.0112.199
accession number
2014.0112
Baseball bat used by Baltimore Orioles shortstop Cal Ripken Jr. The bat's barrell has been signed by Ripken.Shortstop Cal Ripken Jr. (b.1960) played Major League baseball's Baltimore Orioles from 1981-2001.
Description
Baseball bat used by Baltimore Orioles shortstop Cal Ripken Jr. The bat's barrell has been signed by Ripken.
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
1983-1984
Associated Name
Baltimore Orioles
Ripkin, Jr., Cal
maker
Louisville Slugger
ID Number
2017.0334.03
catalog number
2017.0334.03
accession number
2017.0334
Baseball bat used by San Diego Padres outfielder Tony Gwynn. Gwynn autograph on the barrel.Outfielder Anthony Tony Gwynn (1960-2014) played Major League Baseball for the San Diego Padres from 1960-2014.
Description
Baseball bat used by San Diego Padres outfielder Tony Gwynn. Gwynn autograph on the barrel.
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
Associated Name
Gwynn, Tony
San Diego Padres
maker
Louisville Slugger
ID Number
2017.0334.06
catalog number
2017.0334.06
accession number
2017.0334
This bat was used by Hank Aaron in the 1957 Major League Baseball All-Star Game, held at Busch Stadium in St.
Description
This bat was used by Hank Aaron in the 1957 Major League Baseball All-Star Game, held at Busch Stadium in St. Louis.
Henry Louis "Hank" Aaron (b.1934) first began playing professional baseball as a teenage shortstop for the Negro League's Indianapolis Clowns.
Aaron joined Major League Baseball in 1952, signing a contract with the National League's Milwaukee Braves. Aaron played right-field for the Braves for almost the entirety of major league tenure, following the club in its move to Atlanta in 1966. In 1975 he returned to Milwaukee as a member of the city's new team, the Brewers, for his final season.
On April 8, 1974, Aaron hit his record setting 715th home run, besting the mark set by Babe Ruth, who last set the record in 1935. Finishing his career with 755, "The Hammer" was baseball's home run king until 2007, when he was overtaken by Barry Bonds.
Aaron's on-field exploits fill baseball's record books. Finishing his career with a .305 batting average, the 25 time all-star still holds records for most total bases (6,856) and RBI (2,297.) Besides being second in all-time home runs, Aaron is currently third all-time in hits (3,771) and in games played (3,298.)
Aaron dealt with racism throughout his career. As he neared Ruth's mark, he received thousands of letters daily, much of it hate mail, including threats to his life. In 1976, Aaron was awarded the Spingarn Medal by the NAACP for outstanding achievement by an African American. Inducted in the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1982, Aaron was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President George Bush in 2002.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1957
user
Aaron, Hank
maker
Hillerich & Bradsby Co.
ID Number
2017.0084.06
model number
A93
accession number
2017.0084
catalog number
2017.0084.06
Infielder Joe Morgan (1943-2020) played Major League Baseball for the Houston Colt .45s/ Astros (1963-1971,1980,) Cincinnati Reds (1972-1979,) San Francisco Gians (1981-1982,) Philadelphia Phillies (1983,) and Oakland Athletics (1984.)A two-time National League Most Valuable Play
Description
Infielder Joe Morgan (1943-2020) played Major League Baseball for the Houston Colt .45s/ Astros (1963-1971,1980,) Cincinnati Reds (1972-1979,) San Francisco Gians (1981-1982,) Philadelphia Phillies (1983,) and Oakland Athletics (1984.)
A two-time National League Most Valuable Player (1975,1976), Morgan was a leading member of Cincinnati's Big Red Machine that won two World Series (1975,1976) along with four National League Pennants and six Division victories.
Excelling on both sides of the field, Morgan is considered on of the game's all-time greatest second basemen. A five-time gold glove honoree, the 5"7 athlete was a lifetime .271 hitter, with 2,517 hits, 268 home runs, 1,133 runs batted and 689 stolen bases.
A ten-time All-Star selection, Morgan used this bat during 1975's version of the contest, held at Milwaukee's County Stadium. The second baseman was one of four Reds to be named a National League starter that year.
After his retirement, Morgan had a successful career as a baseball broadcaster. He was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1990.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1975
Associated Name
Morgan, Joe
Cincinnati Reds
maker
Louisville Slugger
ID Number
2017.0334.16
catalog number
2017.0334.16
accession number
2017.0334
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1975
photographer
Regan, Ken
ID Number
2014.0112.192
catalog number
2014.0112.192
accession number
2014.0112
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
photographer
Regan, Ken
ID Number
2014.0112.190
catalog number
2014.0112.190
accession number
2014.0112
The son of Italian-immigrants, Lawrence Peter Berra was born in St. Louis, MO in 1925. Berra got his famous nickname "yogi" as a teen, based on his resemblance to an Indian yogi seen on film. In 1946, following three years of service in the U.S.
Description
The son of Italian-immigrants, Lawrence Peter Berra was born in St. Louis, MO in 1925. Berra got his famous nickname "yogi" as a teen, based on his resemblance to an Indian yogi seen on film. In 1946, following three years of service in the U.S. Navy, Berra began his long tenure as catcher for the New York Yankees, a run that lasted until 1963. Berra finished his career coaching and playing one season with the New York Mets (1965.) Afterward, Berra would serve as a manager for both New York clubs, with the Yankees in 1964, and again in 1984-1985, and with the Mets from 1972-1975.
Am accomplished hitter, Berra finished his career with a .285 batting average, hitting 358 home runs and 1,430 runs batted in. The 5'7 catcher was also a defensive workhouse, often leading the League in innings caught and working with the Yankees stellar pitching staff. For his abilities both at bat and behind the plate, Berra would win three American League MVP Trophies, and helping lead the Yankees to ten World Series titles. (1947, 1949-53, 1956, 1958, 1961, 1962.) In all, Berra participated in 21 World Series during his career as a player and coach. An 18 time All-Star, Berra was named to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1972.
Berra was beloved for uttering unique philosophical malapropisms that became known as yogi-isms" Phrases coined by Berra such as it aint over till its over and it's like déjà vu all over again have gone on to become staples of American vernacular.
Berra died in 2015 at the age of 90.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1957
user
Berra, Yogi
maker
Hillerich & Bradsby Co.
ID Number
2017.0084.08
model number
R43
accession number
2017.0084
catalog number
2017.0084.08

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