Summer Premium Live and Catalog Auction
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/6/2017
When former closer Lee Smith retired from baseball in 1997, he was the all-time saves leader with 478. Only Trevor Hoffman and Mariano Rivera finished with more career saves than the big righty from Louisiana. Drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the 2nd round of the 1975 MLB Amateur Draft, Smith made his debut with the “Northsiders” on September 1, 1980. His 18-year career saw him pitch for the Cubs, Boston Red Sox, St. Louis Cardinals, New York Yankees, Baltimore Orioles, California Angels, Cincinnati Reds and Montreal Expos.
Smith got his 30th save of the 1992 season and 342nd of his career during the St. Louis Cardinals’ 5-2 victory over the Montreal Expos at Stade Olympique in Montreal, Canada on August 16, 1992. Smith pitched a perfect ninth inning to preserve the victory and this Official National League William D. White baseball was used during this game. This ball displays excellent use and Smith signed his name blue pen on the side panel. Inscriptions on this ball in black pen include “Save #342”, “8-16-92”, “ST LOUIS 020 002 100 –5” and “Montreal 000 001 010–2”.This game used and signed baseball comes with a LOA from Lee Smith.