1966 Ticket Pass PSA Washington Senators Emmett Ashford 1st Black Umpire/ Mickey Mantle HR
PSA #22100768
POP 1
Valid: April Emmett Ashford First Game April 9,1966 At Wahington Senators. First afro-American Umpire. Opening Day Vice president Herbert Humphrey through out first pitch.
Size 7 X 4-1/4 PSA Case/ Size:4-1/4 x3. Extends the courtesy of all its grounds. Back has conditions of attendance.
Opening Day on April 11, 1966, at D.C. Stadium in Washington figured to be the most important day in umpire Emmett Ashford’s career, yet he came close to missing it. The hometown crowd of 44,168 got a bonus when they attended the Washington Senators’ season opener against the Cleveland Indians. They witnessed history when Ashford became the first umpire to break the major leagues’ color barrier. The milestone came two decades after Jackie Robinson broke the barrier against Black players in the National and American Leagues.
Ashford had also been the first Black umpire in Organized Baseball, in 1951. He started out in a Class C league and progressed to the Triple-A Pacific Coast League, where he spent 11 seasons.
Reaching the majors had always been a goal of Ashford’s. He patiently paid his dues with 15 years in the lower levels. He eventually developed the confidence of Pacific Coast League President Dewey Soriano, who put him in charge of the umpires and often called on Ashford to represent him at PCL functions. Ashford said in 1964, “I can’t complain about the treatment I’ve received in the minors.” He added, “It seems like I’ve been on the threshold for a couple years now. I’m just waiting for a chance as a major-league ump. When and if it will come, I do not know. Nobody has told me a thing. But I’ve made a lot of friends in the minors, I think I’ve proved that I can do the job, and I want the opportunity in the worst way.”1 Two years later, he received the opportunity with American League President Joe Cronin’s endorsement.
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Tickets, stubs and passes are memorabilia from an actual event and are not like cards mass produced. In sports collecting, tickets are a fans direct connection to the game. Tickets are something tangible after the game is a memory. Tickets that list the date are usually more valuable than a program which can be for a series of games. Tickets are scarce and limited to seats sold. A ticket that has historical content and eye appeal is a valuable item. Tickets can be mounted or displayed with photographs, autographs and text. Many collectors get tickets signed for example Carl Yastrzemski 3,000 hit ticket. Collectors want tickets that represent a theme: a team, a record breaking game , a players first or last game, minor leagues, All-Star or post season tickets. Grading companies PSA are grading and certifying tickets which adds to their value and popularity. Rare historical tickets can run $100-and up. General tickets should be under $30. See my article on tickets click on the pencil icon near my user name or on me me page.Go to search box in my store and type in ticket or Pass to view tickets that are graded, signed,and in all fields political, concerts and entertainment. Happy Collecting!