Lifetime passes were the brainchild of NL President Ford Frick; here’s a pictorial history

June 18th, 2016 Leave a comment

A newspaper man turned league publicist turned league president came up with a brilliant idea in 1934 — reward longtime National League players with a lifetime pass to all NL games. Senior Circuit owners approved Ford Frick’s proposal at the league meeting in December of ’34.

A few months later, Frick sent out ornately decorated paper Lifetime Passes to the NL’s greatest players. He even sent one to Babe Ruth who appeared in all of 28 games for the Boston Braves in 1935. A 21-year veteran of the American League, the Babe was grateful if not surprised when he remarked, “At least the National League has a heart”. An image of the original paper pass presented to Hall of Fame outfielder Sliding Billy Hamilton can be seen below. A similar pass curiously issued to Stan Coveleski, a lifetime American Leaguer is also shown.

Perhaps shamed by Ruth’s remarks, the American League joined forces in 1936 to issue a pass to all Major League contests. Players with twenty or more years of service received a solid gold pass. Seventeen men qualified for the true “golden ticket” — Ruth, Fred Clarke, Ty Cobb, Eddie Collins, Bill Dahlen, Harry Davis, Red Faber, Walter Johnson, Sam Jones, Nap Lajoie, Rabbit Maranville, Herb Pennock, Eppa Rixey, Tris Speaker, Honus Wagner, Bobby Wallace and Cy Young. An images of Wallace’s gold card can be see below as well as thank-you notes to Frick from Clarke, Johnson, Wagner, and Johnny Evers.

Thee hundred and eighty-six players with at least ten years in the big leagues but less than twenty received solid silver passes. Images of Hamilton’s pass, and those of Hall of Famers Billy Southworth and Joe Sewell are below along with brief stories on each of the men.

Through the years the passes have changed — see below for the different passes in the collection — but the prestige associated with the honor remains.

These passes and all items on this website are part of the privately-held CooperstownExpert.com collection. Reach Jim Smiley, the author of this story, [email protected]

Be sure to check out CooperstownExpert.com, the internet’s leading website for the display of museum-quality baseball autographs.

In The Collection:

National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues lifetime pass issued to Bobby Wallace

Shortly before Major League Baseball presented lifetime passes, the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues issued passes such as the one pictured that belonged to Hall of Fame

This note was sent to recipients of original lifetime passes in early 1935

At a Tuesday meeting on December 11, 1934, the National League voted in Ford Frick’s proposal to give a lifetime pass to all players with at least ten years of service. The passes were made of paper and good only for Nationa

The first lifetime passes were made of paper and only good for NL games - here's one from 19th-century HoFer Billy Hamilton

Above is the 19th lifetime NL pass ever issued. This one to Sliding Billy Hamilton. A veteran of 12 National League seasons, Hamilton scored 198 runs in 1894, a record that

Al Simmons finished with 2,927 hits, 1,828 RBI and a .334 average; here's his paper lifetime pass

The previous image shows the National League lifetime pass given to 1890s star Billy Hamilton, the 19th ever issued. Here we see a similar pass awarded to another Hall of

Lifetime AL hurler Stan Coveleski received this pass from the NL

In the collection is this original paper lifetime pass issued to Hall of Fame pitcher Stan Coveleski. Few of these passes – issued in 1935 – remain today. This example is somewhat of a mystery. Good for admission t

Honus Wagner's handwritten thank-you note for his pass

Honus Wagner, one of the first five inductees into the Hall of Fame received a pass much like Billy Hamilton’s shown above. The hitting instructor for the Pirates at the time he received the pass, Wagner took the time to thank Ford Frick in April

Walter Johnson pens a handwritten letter to Ford Frick for the pass

The Hall of Fame’s first induction class featured Ty Cobb, Babe Ruth, Christy Mathewson, Honus Wagner and the man who wrote this letter — Walter Johnson.
A career American Leaguer,

Hall of Famer Johnny Evers thanks Frick for his lifetime pass

By virtue of his 18-year big league career Johnny Evers was awarded a lifetime pass. The three-time World Series champ played a dozen years with the Chicago Cubs before moving on to Boston to play

Fred Clarke's thank-you letter to Ford Frick for one of the first 17 solid gold passes

Fred Clarke was so appreciative of receiving his gold Lifetime Pass that he sent this letter to Ford Frick. The date and the mention of American League president

This letter came with Stanley Coveleski's lifetime pass

Initially only a National League creation, baseball lifetime passes soon were embraced by the AL as well. Shown here is a note from both league presidents that accompanied the pass for Stan Coveleski. This explains why he rece

This accompanied the solid gold or solid silver Lifetime Passes

Letters such as the one above were sent out along with solid gold or silver passes to players fortunate enough to receive the paper NL passes. Only players who received the original paper passes received these letters.

Only 17 solid gold Lifetime Passes were initially issued

Playing 20 or more years in the Major Leagues earned a player a solid gold Lifetime Pass. At the time they were first issued, only 17 players fell into that category — Fred Clarke, Ty Cobb, Eddie Collins, Bill Dahlen, Harr

Tommy Bond pitched in the inaugural National League season of 1876; here's his pass

Tommy Bond pitched in ten big league seasons. In the two years before the formation of the National League, Bond pitched won 41 games in the National Association. When his

Solid silver replacement for Billy Hamilton's paper pass

Sliding Billy Hamilton was one of the game’s best players in the late-1800s and early part of the next century. He was rewarded with an original National League pass and the following season with

This pass was given to the only lefty to catch 1,000 games

Shown here is a solid silver lifetime pass awarded to Jack Clements. The first man to catch 1,000 big league games, Clements also held many records during his career.

Hall of Fame skipper Billy Southworth earned this pass as a player

In Billy Southworth’s nine full seasons as St. Louis manager he guided the Cardinals to four National League pennants and four World Series championship. His .597 winning percentage is second only to

Hall of Fame infielder Joe Sewell also qualified for a solid silver Lifetime Pass

A 14-year veteran of the American League, Hall of Fame infielder Joe Sewell qualified for a solid silver Lifetime Pass. With a career that spanned from 1920 to 1933, Sewell

Solid gold pass issued to Al Simmons in 1944 for 20 years of service

When lifetime passes made of precious metal were originally awarded, players with 10 years in the big leagues received solid silver passes; those with 20 years earned solid gold passes. The initial run of gold passes

Leather MLB lifetime passes are rarely seen, here's Ned Garver's

Major League lifetime passes provide an outstanding collectable though they rarely leave possession of the player or his family’s estate. Shown here is one of Ned Garver’s passes in the seldom-seen

Metal lifetime pass issued to Ned Garver circa 1958

This toned and worn lifetime pass belonged to former All Star pitcher Ned Garver. One of the most overlooked and underrated seasons in baseball history belonged to Garver.

In 1951 his lowly Browns won

Harvey Haddix lifetime pass

Through the years, the design of the Lifetime Passes has evolved. Here is a pass from the early 1960s given to pitcher Harvey Haddix. A three-time Gold Glove Award winner, a three-time All-Star, and winner of 136 games, Haddix

Seldom seen leather lifetime pass issued to Harvey Haddix

Many lifetime passes remain in the family long after a player has passed away, others are donated to the Hall of Fame. The pass shown above is an ultra-rare leather pass. Internet searches yield little or no

HoFer Dick Williams' lifetime pass from the NAPBL

This National Association of Professional Baseball League pass was awarded to Hall of Fame manager Dick Williams after 25 years of service to professional baseball. Williams enjoyed an 18-year playing

Lifetime pass for Dave Parker

Many believe the career of Dave Parker warrants induction into the Hall of Fame. Taking a look at his trophy case, it’s easy to see why. He has two World Series rings, an MVP award, three Gold Gloves, an All Star MVP award,

Lifetime pass for The Cuban Comet, Minnie Minoso

Any time Minnie Minoso cared to attend a professional baseball game in America, all he had to do was present this Lifetime Pass at the ticket window. The pass is good for Minoso and a guest.

Joe Cronin's lifetime pass to all of professional baseball issued in part by Cronin himself as AL President

This pass differs greatly from the others shown in that it’s for all of professional baseball rather than simply American and National League games. It’s unlikely an MLB pass holder would be denied entry to a minor league game, but this pass covers all the bases.

The reverse of this pass has writing on it; most passes do not

Most Lifetime Passes have blank backs. Not this one. Here baseball’s policy is clearly stated, “GOOD FOR ALL REGULAR SEASON GAMES. NOT HONORED FOR EXHIBITION, ALL STAR, PLAYOFF, OR WORLD SERIES GAMES”.

Joe Cronin finished with a .301 lifetime average, 2,285 hits

In '83 Bill Madlock earned his lifetime pass to a MLB regular season contests

Bill Madlock had an illustrious 15-year big league career. Along the way he earned four batting crowns, two with the Cubs in 1975 and ’76, and two with the Pirates in 1981 and 1983.

With a 1973 debut, Madlock accumulated the necessary ten years of service time during the 1983 season.

Most current rendition of MLB lifetime pass, this one issued to Gold Glover George Scott

The first images on this page show the original lifetime passes issued by Major League Baseball in the 1930s. The image above shows what the passes look like as of 2017. This one, issued to former All Star and Gold Glover George Scott.

A former American League single season leader in homers,

Skipper Joe McCarthy's Lifetime Pass to the Hall of Fame

Among the perks in receiving baseball’s highest honor is free lifetime admission to the Hall of Fame. In the collection is this pass presented to Hall of Fame manager Joe McCarthy upon his induction.

It’s easy to

Dave Bancroft received this lfietime pass in 1971

Shown here is Dave Bancroft’s lifetime pass to the Baseball Hall of Fame. When inducted, each member of the Hall receives a pass similar to this

Lifetime pass to the Hall of Fame presented to 300-game winner Early Wynn

As an inductee to Cooperstown in 1972, Early Wynn received this Lifetime Pass to the Baseball Hall of Fame. Passes such as this rarely hit the market. Simple math tells us why. There are 312 members of the Hall of Fame as of 2016.

inquiries

More Info About The Players In This Story

3 responses to “Lifetime passes were the brainchild of NL President Ford Frick; here’s a pictorial history”

Milko says:

May 7, 2017 at 1:55 pm

Are these passes all in one private collection? Where are they on display? I’d love to see this collection live.
Jim Smiley says:

May 7, 2017 at 8:42 pm

We do put pieces on loan at times and have showings by appointment. Feel free to email [email protected]. Thank you for your interest.
Frank Ramirez says:

February 6, 2022 at 11:58 pm

HH was one tough portside pitcher.

Lifetime passes were the brainchild of NL President Ford Frick; here’s a pictorial history

June 18th, 2016 Leave a comment

In The Collection:

National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues lifetime pass issued to Bobby Wallace

This note was sent to recipients of original lifetime passes in early 1935

The first lifetime passes were made of paper and only good for NL games - here's one from 19th-century HoFer Billy Hamilton

Al Simmons finished with 2,927 hits, 1,828 RBI and a .334 average; here's his paper lifetime pass

Lifetime AL hurler Stan Coveleski received this pass from the NL

Honus Wagner's handwritten thank-you note for his pass

Walter Johnson pens a handwritten letter to Ford Frick for the pass

Hall of Famer Johnny Evers thanks Frick for his lifetime pass

Fred Clarke's thank-you letter to Ford Frick for one of the first 17 solid gold passes

This letter came with Stanley Coveleski's lifetime pass

This accompanied the solid gold or solid silver Lifetime Passes

Only 17 solid gold Lifetime Passes were initially issued

Tommy Bond pitched in the inaugural National League season of 1876; here's his pass

Solid silver replacement for Billy Hamilton's paper pass

This pass was given to the only lefty to catch 1,000 games

Hall of Fame skipper Billy Southworth earned this pass as a player

Hall of Fame infielder Joe Sewell also qualified for a solid silver Lifetime Pass

Solid gold pass issued to Al Simmons in 1944 for 20 years of service

Leather MLB lifetime passes are rarely seen, here's Ned Garver's

Metal lifetime pass issued to Ned Garver circa 1958

Harvey Haddix lifetime pass

Seldom seen leather lifetime pass issued to Harvey Haddix

HoFer Dick Williams' lifetime pass from the NAPBL

Lifetime pass for Dave Parker

Lifetime pass for The Cuban Comet, Minnie Minoso

Joe Cronin's lifetime pass to all of professional baseball issued in part by Cronin himself as AL President

The reverse of this pass has writing on it; most passes do not

In '83 Bill Madlock earned his lifetime pass to a MLB regular season contests

Most current rendition of MLB lifetime pass, this one issued to Gold Glover George Scott

Skipper Joe McCarthy's Lifetime Pass to the Hall of Fame

Dave Bancroft received this lfietime pass in 1971

Lifetime pass to the Hall of Fame presented to 300-game winner Early Wynn

More Info About The Players In This Story

Jack Clements

Tommy Bond

Ford Frick

Ned Garver

George Scott

Bill Madlock

Harvey Haddix

Minnie Minoso

Dave Parker

Early Wynn

Dick Williams

Bobby Wallace

Honus Wagner

Albert Spalding

Al Simmons

Joe Sewell

Joe McCarthy

Walter Johnson

Billy Hamilton

Johnny Evers

Joe Cronin

Stan Coveleski

Fred Clarke

Dave Bancroft

3 responses to “Lifetime passes were the brainchild of NL President Ford Frick; here’s a pictorial history”

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