Chief curator Daniel Piazza shares intimate knowledge, little-known facts and secrets about the stories told in “Baseball: America’s Home Run,” highlighting some of the spectacular objects on display, including discussions with key lenders to the exhibition on artifacts never-before displayed for pubic view.
The Shot Heard 'Round the World
I'm Dan Piazza, curator of the National Postal Museum exhibition, Baseball: America's Home Run, on view until January 2025.
Join me for an inside look at some of the most exciting objects from this blockbuster show that explores America's national pastime through stamps, mail and memorabilia.
Celebrate the Century was a series of 150 U.S. postage stamps issued between 1998 and 2000.
Each decade of the 20th century was represented by a sheet of 15 stamps featuring major events that influenced American history, art, or culture.
Seven baseball moments were highlighted across six decades ranging from the first World Series in 1903, to setting new baseball records in the 1990s.
A 1950s stamp commemorates Bobby Thompson's October 3rd, 1951 Shot Heard 'Round the World.
The National League pennant winning walk-off home run into the left field stands at the Polo Grounds that propelled the New York Giants to the World Series.
Let's take a closer look.
The original stamp art by Dean Ellis and a production proof of the stamp are shown in the exhibit gallery alongside Thompson's bat and Giants manager Leo Durocher's game-worn Jersey from that day.
Both Thompson's bat and Duroche's jersey are identifiable in the art.
But a high angle was used to avoid picturing Thompson who was still alive when the stamp was issued.
Postal policy at the time was that individuals had to be deceased for 10 years before they were eligible to appear on a stamp.
Today it's three.
Leo Durocher was coaching third base and wearing this jersey when Thompson came up to bat.
He yelled to Thompson, if you ever hit one, hit it now.
For more on the intersection of postal and baseball history visit the National Postal Museum exhibition, Baseball: America's Home Run, online at postalmuseum.si.edu/baseball
