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 notched his 365th career save and 10th of the 1993 season as the St. Louis Cardinals defeated the Colorado Rockies 5-2 at Mile High Stadium in Denver Colorado on April 29, 1993. Smith pitched a scoreless ninth inning to drop his ERA to 0.90 and this Official National League William D. White baseball was used during this game. This baseball shows outstanding use with toning and some chipping of the hyde. Smith signed his name in blue pen on the side panel. Inscriptions on this ball in light blue ink include “Save #365”, “4-29-93”, “ST Louis 030 010 010 –5” and “Colorado 010 100 000–2”. Please note that part of the inscribed box score from Colorado has been rubbed off. This game used and signed baseball comes with a LOA from Lee Smith.

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