The first ones, published more than a century ago, were simply scorecards. Several ads and a blank page for fans who knew how to keep score. Eventually, World Series programs evolved into 300-page keepsakes priced higher than a ticket was in the early days. In between, the covers were veritable works of art, often reflecting the era in which the games were played.
They've been around long enough to become part of the game's history and even in an increasingly digital age, the printed program is still something many fans and collectors feel is a must have.
The look has been standardized---gone are the days when each team designed its own program cover to cover--but did you know there are now three programs for each World Series? There's a slightly different versions for each team's home park and fans and a third, more generic, version for the public at largegeneral public.
In 1974, Major League Baseball took control to keep the overall look the same, acknowledging t that the program was the most popular World Series souvenir and "an increasingly coveted item by serious collectors, and therefore deserving of a more organized approach". At least that's what the New York Times says in this article on the history of Series programs.
Long time program dealer Alan Getz talked to us in 2006 about some of the toughest programs known.
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 EXTREMELY RARE 1950 PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER PHILLIES WORLD SERIES GUIDE Vs YANKEES $100.00 Time Remaining: 42m Buy It Now for only: $100.00 |
 1982 MLB BASEBALL WORLD SERIES PROGRAM TICKET STUB GAME 5 RARE $14.99 Time Remaining: 1h 27m Buy It Now for only: $14.99 |
 1973 WORLD SERIES METS vs As PROGRAM SCORECARD $8.00 Time Remaining: 1h 39m |
 FALL CLASSIC 2002 WORLD SERIES SF GIANTS VS ANAHEIM ANGELS PROGRAM $3.95 Time Remaining: 1h 39m |
 1997 World Series Official Program Florida Marlins Stadium Edition Indians $13.99 Time Remaining: 2h 18m Buy It Now for only: $13.99 |
 I53 1970 Baltimore Orioles World Series Souvenir Program Clean Pages Minor Wear $89.95 Time Remaining: 2h 33m Buy It Now for only: $89.95 |
 2003 World Series 100th Anniversary Baseball Program NY Yankees vs FL Marlins $9.99 Time Remaining: 2h 34m Buy It Now for only: $9.99 |
 2012 OAKLAND ATHLETICS MEDIA GUIDE 1972 WORLD SERIES 40TH ANNIVERSARY HOT NEW $39.99 Time Remaining: 2h 34m Buy It Now for only: $39.99 |
 2012 OAKLAND ATHLETICS MEDIA GUIDE 1972 WORLD SERIES 40TH ANNIVERSARY HOT NEW $29.99 Time Remaining: 2h 35m Buy It Now for only: $29.99 |
