Sports and Recreation

Topical Reference Page

Postal hockey team jersey — Albany District Dutchmen hockey jersey

The National Postal Museum proudly celebrates the rich legacy of American sports including its athletes, events and accomplishments through a variety of online resources. Explore the links below to discover how stamps and postal history objects showcase this important thread of the American cultural quilt.

Negro Leagues Baseball

October 20, 2010 - July 10, 2011

Exhibition

On view was original art produced by Kadir Nelson for the creation of the Negro Leagues Baseball stamps, which pay tribute to the all-black professional baseball leagues that operated from 1920 to approximately 1960.

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Playing to Win

Exhibition

American Sports and Athletes on Stamps
This virtual exhibition highlights several different sports, professional and amateur athletes, and monumental moments in American athletics as depicted on U.S. postage stamps.

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Postal Hockey Jersey

Object Spotlight

There are numerous sports teams and leagues across our nation, entirely comprised of working adults looking for a fun way to relax after a long day. Postal employees have been no different.

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Director’s Favorite 15 - Remembering America's Pastime

Exhibition

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Roberto Clemente Walker

April 1, 2001 - January 25, 2002

Exhibition

The Great One
This exhibition featured one of baseball's great icons — Roberto Clemente Walker (1938-1972), who was honored on two U.S. postage stamps.

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The Black Experience - Sports

Exhibition

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Painting of Jesse Owens jumping a hurdle

Trailblazers and Trendsetters - Sports

Exhibition

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Postal Employees After Hours - Sports

Research Article

Postal workers have had a long tradition of participation in sports teams.

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Counterfeit National Hockey League jersey

Behind the Badge - Sports Memorabilia

Exhibition

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postage stamp featuring Roberto Clemente ready to swing a baseball bat

Stamp Stories: Roberto Clemente

Join educators from the National Postal Museum and the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service for an exploration of the life and legacy of baseball great Roberto Clemente.

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Priority mail envelope featuring Lance Armstrong

Tour de France Winner Lance Armstrong's Bicycle and Jersey

July 24, 2000 - September 5, 2000

Exhibition

On view were Lance Armstrong's United States Postal Service jersey and a replica of the bicycle that brought him victory in the 1999 Tour de France Race.* The United States Postal Service sponsored the U.S. Pro Cycling Team and has lent the items in connection with its cancer awareness/fundraising postage stamps.

*Now annulled as a result of a 2012 investigation by the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA).

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Roberto Clemente Pittsburgh Pirates home uniform

Roberto Clemente 1966 Pittsburgh Pirates Home Uniform

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Two Puerto Rican players reached the big leagues in the early 1940s, but the doors flew open in the 1950s. Baseball fever in Puerto Rico reached unprecedented heights, and the island’s greatest star was Roberto Clemente.

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