This week, Toronto Blue Jays slugger Jose Bautista instagrammed a photo of his recently acquired MLB "Lifetime Pass." These extremely rare and relatively unknown cards are issued by the commissioner's office "in appreciation of long and meritorious service" to the league.
These cards have been presented to players, umpires, scouts and other friends of MLB as far back as the 1930s, and grants owners and a guest access to any Major League baseball game as long as they live. They're essentially the coolest thing anyone could have in their wallet, even cooler than Bryce Harper's Chipotle For Life card. Here are a few shots of cards owned by some of the lucky few to get the privilege.
1. Jose Bautista — Baltimore Orioles, Tampa Bay Rays, Kansas City Royals, Pittsburgh Pirates, Toronto Blue Jays, 2004-Present
2. E. Lee Ballanfant — National League Umpire, 1937-56
3. Tony Giuliani — Scout for the Minnesota Twins
4. Steven Kirtley — Iran Hostage
Passes have been given to now-forgotten players from the "dead ball era."
5. Roy Hartzell — St. Louis Browns & New York Yankees, 1906-16
As well as players who will best be remembered as a incredibly difficult trivia answer.
6. Charlie Root - Chicago Cubs, 1926-41
But lifetime passes have been most commonly issued to Hall of Famers and players thoroughly ingrained in the sport's history.
7. Billy Hamilton — Kansas City Cowboys, Philadelphia Phillies & Boston Beaneaters, 1888-1901
8. Rogers Hornsby — St. Louis Cardinals and Browns, 1915-37
9. Thurman Munson — New York Yankees, 1969-79
10. Bob Gibson — St. Louis Cardinals, 1959-75
11. Rollie Fingers — Oakland As, San Diego Padres & Milwaukee Brewers, 1968-85
12. Joe DiMaggio — New York Yankees, 1936-51
