By Dayn Perry | Baseball Writer
John McGraw’s New York Giants from 1919 through 1931 sold collective “season passes” to fans that would endow the possessor with the right to take in any of the team’s home games at the Polo Grounds. For the 1921 season, here’s what the Giants gave to such lucky rooters …
Excelsior again!
The Giants in ’21 barged to a 94-59 record, thanks in part to a high-powered offense helmed by future Hall of Famers High Pockets Kelly, Dave Bancroft and Frankie Frisch. They prevailed over the Yankees and a hobbled Babe Ruth in the World Series by a count of 5-3 (best of nine!).
It so happens that the Yankees were the tenants of the Giants and owner Charles Stoneham. They’d paid rent to play at the Polo Grounds since 1913, but once Ruth announced his presence and changed the face of baseball, McGraw saw the Yankees — who’d never won a pennant before 1921 — as a genuine threat in the New York market. So the Giants informed the Yankees that they’d be evicted following the 1922 season. By that point, though, Yankee Stadium had been built.
Mostly, though, this has been about baseball’s most resplendent season pass, which you saw above. By all means, look at it again.