This lot is closed. Bidding ended on 12/8/2016.
Although labeled an exhibition, the Yankees (“Yankees” and “Highlanders” were interchangeable by then) and the Giants agreed to play a best-of-seven postseason series that would serve as the starting point to what we now call the “Subway Series”. At the same time the “real” World Series was being played, and perhaps not surprisingly, was overshadowed by two teams that didn’t qualify for the postseason. The Giants and the Yankees both finished second in 1910.
The New York Inter-League Series began on Thursday, October 13, four days before the World Series. The great Christy Mathewson, one of the inaugural members of the National Baseball Hall of Fame, started Game 1, which was one of his four appearances (all in the Polo Grounds and never at Hilltop Park). The Yankees threw Russ Ford, who set the rookie record for wins that season with 26.
With a final score of 5-1, Mathewson earned the win in Game 1, one of his three victories during the series. Game 2 would technically be the first postseason game ever played at Hilltop Park, where the Yankees won 5-4 in walkoff fashion.
Mathewson made a rare relief appearance in Game 3 during a 6-4 Giants win. The attendance was bigger than for any World Series game that season. Oddly enough, Game 4 ended in a 5-5 tie due to darkness. Mathewson earned another win in Game 5, giving the Giants a 3-1 series lead.
Game six went to the Yankees before Mathewson earned his third win of the series in Game 7 to earn the victory rights to the Manhattan Championship.
Offered is Mathewson’s ID badge for the Manhattan Championship. Across the top reads, “REPRESENTATIVES”. The photo below was also used for the 1905 New York Giants team sheet. The text around the photo reads, “HIGHLANDERS VS. GIANTS - NEW YORK GIANTS CHAMPIONS 1910”. The piece is in VG condition with spotting on the photograph, most noticeably on the right eye. This badge was sourced back to the Christy Walsh’s law firm that was directly involved with the commissioner’s office back in the early 1900s. Our consignor has had this treasure in his possession for over 20+ years and it is being made publicly available for the first time.