Teams honoring players years before retirement

[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.