Teams honoring players years before retirement

[Snapolit1]

Was reading a news article about Mel Ott Night, which was held by the NY Giants in August 1940. Referenced that the Dodgers were having a Freddie Fitzsimmons night the following week. Was this a common practice back in the day to honor a player with a huge ceremony (gifts, etc.) when they were still active and years before they retired?
I bet if the Angels did this next week for Mike Trout people would be complaining that something like this would never happened back in the golden days and that it somehow reflects badly on the team and player.

[packs]

I think these nights have been replaced by giveaways like Noah Syndergaard Star Wars bobble head night, etc.

[bgar3]

I remember and have seen references to nights for players, usually near the end of the season, frequently tied to a team mvp award for a season.
The only modern player I collect , Ashburn, was honored on such a night in 1951
As the mvp of Philadelphia. Apparently someone decided to paint the award ceremony and they survived.

[AGuinness]

I'd think that with the advent of the players union, events such as that wouldn't be allowed as they would likely be considered compensation outside the contract the player signed.

[jerseygary]

Many of the times there was a "Day" for a player at the park it was organized by an outside group, like local businessmen or kids groups. Sometimes fans and dignitaries from a player's hometown would come to the park to have a "day" for their hometown boy and give him gifts.

Back in the 1920s-1950s any player could have a "day" at the park as long as someone or group sponsored it.

There were always gifts like luggage, shotguns or fishing poles and sometimes even a car because the players didn't make all that much more than the working stiff. After the 1960s when salaries went way up, there wasn't anything fans could chip in to buy a player that he couldn't already buy himself out of his own pocket.

Plus, in the modern era players switched teams so often there was no more loyalty that would earn a player that kind of idolation in the local community.

Minor league teams did this a lot more frequently back in the 1920s-50s, especially when a player got called up. Then the gift of a new set of luggage was really welcome.

[Snapolit1]

Thanks Gary. Awesome info.


QUOTE=jerseygary;2012009]Many of the times there was a "Day" for a player at the park it was organized by an outside group, like local businessmen or kids groups. Sometimes fans and dignitaries from a player's hometown would come to the park to have a "day" for their hometown boy and give him gifts.

Back in the 1920s-1950s any player could have a "day" at the park as long as someone or group sponsored it.

There were always gifts like luggage, shotguns or fishing poles and sometimes even a car because the players didn't make all that much more than the working stiff. After the 1960s when salaries went way up, there wasn't anything fans could chip in to buy a player that he couldn't already buy himself out of his own pocket.

Plus, in the modern era players switched teams so often there was no more loyalty that would earn a player that kind of idolation in the local community.

Minor league teams did this a lot more frequently back in the 1920s-50s, especially when a player got called up. Then the gift of a new set of luggage was really welcome.[/QUOTE]