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Did you know about the MLB’s “Golden Ticket Lifetime Pass” before clicking on this article? If you did, you’re a bigger baseball fan than most, as much of the MLB world was shocked to learn of its existence this week.
On Monday, former Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Jason Grilli took to social media to share that he took his son to watch Paul Skenes pitch for the Pirates in their 10-3 win over the Washington Nationals on Monday night. So far, entirely unremarkable, right?
What’s gone viral on social media, however, is *how* Grilli got into the Pirates game, as he said he used his “lifetime pass and golden ticket” that was given to him by MLB.
“Used the lifetime pass and the golden ticket today to watch Paul Skenes take the mound at PNC with my son. Moments like this hit different—baseball, legacy, and passing it on to the next generation,” Grilli shared on Instagram on Monday, April 14.
The Lifetime Pass, which was first given to President Theodore Roosevelt, allows the holder (and a guest) to go to any regular-season MLB game that they want free of charge, and is awarded to players, managers, coaches and umpires by the Commissioner’s Office when they reach eight years of MLB service, according to The Athletic.
Jason Grilli pitched in MLB for 15 years
Today, he used his Lifetime Pass to see Paul Skenes pitch at home in Pittsburgh ⚾️ pic.twitter.com/nLJhZz1S5m
— MLB (@MLB) April 15, 2025
“I am today years old when I found out that MLB players with 8+ years of service time are given a Lifetime Pass where they, and one guest, can attend any regular season game…for life,” one MLB fan summarized.
“Had no clue about this lifetime pass,” another added.
“I didn’t know the MLB had lifetime passes for former players that played as long as he did,” a third concurred.
Today I learned about the Lifetime Pass MLB gives to players who had at least 8 years of service… very cool,” a fourth said.
During his 17-year MLB career from 2000 to 2017, Grilli played for the then-Florida Marlins, Chicago White Sox, Detroit Tigers, Colorado Rockies, Texas Rangers, Pittsburgh Pirates, Los Angeles Angels, Atlanta Braves, and Toronto Blue Jays. He retired with a 34-47 record, a 4.22 ERA and 694 strikeouts.