(LOT 34)
Brilliant 1902 Cincinnati Baseball Club Silver Season Pass
Presented here is a brilliant 1902 Cincinnati Ball Park silver season pass weighing 1.4oz, that measures approximately 2-1/2" x 4", compliments of Cincinnati Reds President John T. Brush. Sparkling to say the least, the near-mint obverse side includes a "spine-tingling" image of the "Palace of the Fans" Cincinnati Ball Park as well as a bold "1902 AT THE CINCINNATI BALL PARK" header. This particular silver struck gem was presented to Mr. & Mrs. H.N. Hempstead with John T. Brush's elaborate short script situated in the lower right quadrant. Interestingly enough, Harry N. Hempstead was married to Brush's eldest daughter Eleanor, thus prompting the necessity for this season pass that was typically gifted to dignitaries and relatives of team executives. The 1902 campaign for Cincinnati would end with an average 70-70 record, with the fourth place Reds finishing a distant 33-1/2 games behind the National League's pennant-winning Pirates.

Coming off a very dismal 52-87 record for the 1901 season, the Reds retained manager Bid McPhee, hoping to recover from their extremely poor 1901 campaign. Unfortunately, after a disappointing 37-47 start, Brush fired McPhee and replaced him with interim manager Frank Bancroft who managed only 16 games before handing over the reins to player/manager Joe Kelley. Still struggling in August, Owner John T. Brush abruptly sold his Cincinnati club to a group headed by Gary Herrmann, the final upheaval throughout this extremely turbulent season. Highlights for the club included the stellar play of three Hall of Famers including outfielders Sam "Wahoo" Crawford and Joe Kelley as well as first baseman Jake Beckley. A remarkable 119-year old keepsake, it has retained a majority of its original luster, with its sparkling surface synonymous to a brilliantly uncirculated Silver Dollar and truly meriting a final resting place in any esteemed "turn of the century" gathering!

MIN BID $2,500
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