Jackie Robinson broke the Major League "Color Barrier" when he made his debut with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947, and because he was already 28 years old as a rookie, the Hall of Famer's playing career was all too short. Presented is a September 30, 1956, Brooklyn Dodgers Ebbets Field ticket stub from Jackie Robinson's last regular season game. The Dodgers won the National League Pennant in '56 but lost the World Series to the New York Yankees in seven games. Robinson was 37 years old, and played in 117 games, mostly at third base. He batted .275 with 10 home runs and 43 RBIs. Although no longer a superstar, he was playing reasonably well, and most observers thought he would play at least another season. Keeping his plans to himself and his family, Robinson had decided to retire before the next season. Life Magazine was paying him a significant sum for an exclusive story when he retired, and in the 1956-57 off-season, the Dodgers traded Robinson to the New York Giants. Robinson was going to retire anyway, and he later made his plans public.
Robinson's last regular season game was fittingly at Ebbets Field on a Sunday afternoon. Jackie played third base and batted fourth in an 8-6 Dodger win, a game in which Brooklyn clinched the pennant. In the bottom of the bottom of the third inning, Robinson faced the Pirates' starter, and loser, Bob Purkey. With two outs and the bases empty, Robinson homered on a 1-0 count, driving the ball deep to left field. Although Jackie later made an error on a grounder to third base, the Dodgers still won the game for starter Don Newcombe, and Robinson's final regular season game was a decided success. Because the public, as well as the Dodgers, wasn't aware that this game was Robinson's last regular season contest, there was no horde of ticket stubs saved to mark the occasion. The stub has been encapsulated and PSA graded "PR 1."
The offered ticket stub measures approx. 1.25x2.25". It reads, in part, "Dodgers/Ebbets Field/Sunday September 30/1956/Lower Stand/$2.00."
Estimated domestic USA shipping cost only. Does not include handling or insurance: 16.16 Please feel free to contact us for a more accurate shipping cost.