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 361st career save during the St. Louis Cardinals’ 5-2 victory over the Colorado Rockies at Busch Stadium in St. Louis on April 23rd, 1993. Smith pitched a scoreless ninth inning allowing only one hit to preserve the victory and this Official National League William D. White baseball was used during this game. This ball displays excellent use with numerous stains and contact marks and Smith signed his name blue pen on the side panel. Inscriptions on this ball in light blue pen include “Save #361”, “4-22-93”, “Rockies 2” and “Cards 5”.This game used and signed baseball comes with a LOA from Lee Smith.