Presented is an April 6, 1973, Fenway Park ticket stub that is a valued, unusual, simultaneous souvenir for three MLB "firsts": the game in which the first Major League designated hitter, the Yankees' Ron Bloomberg, came to bat; the first time the Red Sox used a designated hitter, Hall of Famer Orlando Cepeda; and the first game for which George Steinbrenner was the owner of the New York Yankees. The aforementioned contest was a day game, starting at 1:37 p.m., the earliest game on MLB's Opening Day. Ron Bloomberg, nominally a first baseman, batted sixth as the Yankees' designated hitter. In the top of the first inning against the Red Sox starter, Luis Tiant, the Yankees loaded the bases with two out, to bring up Bloomberg. He drew a walk to force in Matty Alou with the Yankees' first run. Later on in the game, Bloomberg had a single in one of his four official at bats as the Yankees lost, 15-5, to Boston, with Tiant going the distance for the win. Mel Stottlemyre started for the Yankees and took the loss. Cepeda struggled as Boston's first-ever designated hitter, going hitless in six at bats, with a pair of strikeouts. The fact that the Yankees gave up 15 runs, and lost by ten scores, couldn't have been pleasing to rookie owner Steinbrenner in his initial game as the Bronx Bombers owner. Later, Steinbrenner picked up the nickname "the Boss" for his extremely hands-on approach to ownership. He was the Yankees' principal owner and managing general partner from 1973-2010, and the club won 10 pennants and seven World Series under his stewardship. The offered ticket stub measures 1.5x2.75". In part, it reads, "1/ RAIN CHECK/OPENING DAY/$3.00/BOSTON RED SOX/GRANDSTAND/GAME NO. 1/ APR. 6 1973." The stub is in EXCELLENT condition. Even today, the use of the designated hitter is still a matter of controversy, especially among some National League fans who watched baseball without a designated hitter through the 2021 season. No matter what views of the DH a fan may have, the adoption of the rule for the 1973 season remains a watershed event in the history of baseball, and the offered ticket stub from its first use is a fine remembrance from the initial use of one of Major League baseball's greatest changes. It can serve as a fascinating collectible, not only to Yankee and Red Sox fans but to any sports fan's collection.

Estimated domestic USA shipping cost only. Does not include handling or insurance: $27 Please feel free to contact us for a more accurate shipping cost.