Rare 1992 Phillies-Pirates Ticket Sells for $1,540

Mickey Morandini's unassisted triple play makes a regular season matchup a collector's dream.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 3:48am

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A fractured, multi-perspective painting depicting the key moments of an unassisted triple play, with sharp, overlapping geometric planes representing the dynamic athletic action.A cubist interpretation of the rare and historic moment when Mickey Morandini recorded an unassisted triple play, capturing the dynamic action in a fragmented, geometric style.Today in Pittsburgh

A ticket to a 1992 regular season game between the Philadelphia Phillies and Pittsburgh Pirates recently sold for $1,540, a staggering price driven by the rarity of Mickey Morandini's unassisted triple play that occurred during the game. Unassisted triple plays are one of the rarest feats in baseball, with only eight occurring in MLB history, making this ticket a prized collector's item.

Why it matters

The high sale price of this ticket highlights how rare in-game moments can transform the value of otherwise ordinary sports memorabilia. It raises questions about whether we are properly valuing the everyday artifacts of sports history and if there are other hidden gems waiting to be discovered by collectors.

The details

Morandini's unassisted triple play, where he caught a fly ball, doubled off a runner at second, and tagged Barry Bonds on his way to the same base all by himself, occurred in the blink of an eye during the September 20, 1992 game. The ticket's rarity, combined with the historic nature of Morandini's feat, made it a highly sought-after collector's item, selling for more than other high-profile Pirates tickets like Bill Mazeroski's Game 7 World Series walk-off and Paul Skenes' rookie debut.

  • The unassisted triple play occurred on September 20, 1992.
  • The ticket recently sold in 2026.

The players

Mickey Morandini

A former second baseman for the Philadelphia Phillies who recorded one of the rarest feats in baseball history with an unassisted triple play in 1992.

Barry Bonds

The Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder who was tagged out by Morandini during the unassisted triple play.

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What they’re saying

“That was stupid on my part.”

— Mickey Morandini, Former Phillies Player

What’s next

Collectors and sports historians will continue to debate the true value of sports memorabilia, especially items associated with rare in-game moments like Morandini's unassisted triple play.

The takeaway

This sale price underscores how the rarity and historical significance of a sports moment can transform the value of otherwise ordinary game tickets and memorabilia, sparking conversations about properly valuing the everyday artifacts of sports history.