The ticket from the night Major League Baseball stepped out of the afternoon and into the modern era.
Why This Ticket Matters
For generations, Major League Baseball was played almost entirely in daylight. That changed on May 24, 1935, when the Cincinnati Reds and Philadelphia Phillies took the field beneath more than 600 floodlights at Crosley Field for the first night game in Major League history.
At 8:30 p.m., President Franklin D. Roosevelt ceremonially activated the lights from the White House. A crowd of 20,422 watched Cincinnati defeat Philadelphia 2–1 in a game lasting just one hour and 35 minutes.
The importance of the evening reached far beyond the final score. Night baseball allowed working people to attend games after the workday, helped struggling clubs attract larger crowds during the Depression and permanently changed how America experienced its national pastime.
This ticket is a surviving artifact from the night the lights came on—and Major League Baseball entered a new era.
Seller’s note: Historical information in this “Why This Ticket Matters” section is presented for general context and has not been independently verified for correctness.
Ticket Details
- Date: May 24, 1935
- Teams: Cincinnati Reds vs. Philadelphia Phillies
- Venue: Crosley Field, Cincinnati
- Final score: Reds 2, Phillies 1
- Attendance: 20,422
- Significance: First night game in Major League Baseball history
- Grade: PSA 2
Condition: Vintage ticket stubs may show wear from age and handling, such as creases, edge wear, small tears, markings, stains, fading, or paper loss. We describe each ticket as fairly as we can. Please review the photos, and feel free to contact us with any questions before purchasing.
STUBGUY
May 24, 1935, First Night Game in MLB History, Reds-2 Phillies-1, Crosley Field, PSA-2
The ticket from the night Major League Baseball stepped out of the afternoon and into the modern era.
Why This Ticket Matters
For generations, Major League Baseball was played almost entirely in daylight. That changed on May 24, 1935, when the Cincinnati Reds and Philadelphia Phillies took the field beneath more than 600 floodlights at Crosley Field for the first night game in Major League history.
At 8:30 p.m., President Franklin D. Roosevelt ceremonially activated the lights from the White House. A crowd of 20,422 watched Cincinnati defeat Philadelphia 2–1 in a game lasting just one hour and 35 minutes.
The importance of the evening reached far beyond the final score. Night baseball allowed working people to attend games after the workday, helped struggling clubs attract larger crowds during the Depression and permanently changed how America experienced its national pastime.
This ticket is a surviving artifact from the night the lights came on—and Major League Baseball entered a new era.
Seller’s note: Historical information in this “Why This Ticket Matters” section is presented for general context and has not been independently verified for correctness.
Ticket Details
- Date: May 24, 1935
- Teams: Cincinnati Reds vs. Philadelphia Phillies
- Venue: Crosley Field, Cincinnati
- Final score: Reds 2, Phillies 1
- Attendance: 20,422
- Significance: First night game in Major League Baseball history
- Grade: PSA 2
Condition: Vintage ticket stubs may show wear from age and handling, such as creases, edge wear, small tears, markings, stains, fading, or paper loss. We describe each ticket as fairly as we can. Please review the photos, and feel free to contact us with any questions before purchasing.