Starting Nine Experience Returns in 2021

(COOPERSTOWN, NY) – With the delightful days of summer fast approaching, the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum is bringing back a fan favorite sure to become a highlight of a memorable road trip to Cooperstown.

Starting Nine: The Must-See Artifacts from Your Team features nine unforgettable artifacts for each current big league franchise in this team-themed experience.

“It’s our version of a doubleheader, so fans who might not have had the opportunity to visit in 2020 can experience these highlights from our amazing collection this summer,” said Jeff Idelson, Interim President of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. “Guests will enjoy these unique relics from history that connect with their own memories and with the impressive breadth and depth of the Hall of Fame’s collection.”

The Museum’s curators spent countless hours mining the collection for special objects that represent each major league team, providing a new and extraordinary visitor experience tailored to each baseball fan. A lineup card – available at the Hall of Fame or on its mobile website – identifies nine must-see artifacts for each of the 30 Major League Baseball teams.

Starting Nine will feature several new artifacts in 2021, including:

- Randy Arozarena’s bat from the 2020 Postseason for the Tampa Bay Rays
- Chuck Morgan’s microphone from the 2020 season for the Texas Rangers
- Don Mattingly’s cap from the 2020 season for the Miami Marlins
- Mike Piazza’s jersey from 2001 from his historic homer in the first game in New York City following the 9/11 attacks for the New York Mets
- David Freese’s bat from the 2011 Postseason for the St. Louis Cardinals
- Eric Hosmer’s helmet from the 2020 season for the San Diego Padres
- Corey Seager’s bat from the 2020 World Series for the Los Angeles Dodgers

From the helmet Cal Ripken Jr. wore during his 2,130th consecutive game played to the spikes that sparked the end to a franchise’s 86-year title drought, or the bat used to hit a World Series-clinching home run, the Baseball Hall of Fame Starting Nine experience has the must-sees for fans of every team – with visitors able to stand inches from iconic pieces of baseball history.

With a mix of iconic moments and items that will surprise even veteran Museum visitors, the Baseball Hall of Fame Starting Nine helps fans discover the Museum’s treasures that will connect them back to their own experiences and learn more about their favorite teams and players.

The Baseball Hall of Fame Starting Nine will be available for a limited time through December 2021.

To ensure the health and safety of all Museum guests, the Hall of Fame implemented a comprehensive health and safety plan developed in accordance with guidelines provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and New York State, and reviewed by a certified Industrial Hygiene Technician, to ensure cleanliness, physical distancing and reduced contact for both visitors and staff. More information can be found here.

Support for the Starting Nine experience is being provided by Market New York through I LOVE NY/ New York State’s Division of Tourism as a part of the Regional Economic Development Council awards.