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 earned career save number 461 during his scoreless ninth inning while pitching for the California Angels as they defeated the Minnesota Twins 8-5 on August 11, 1995 at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis, Minnesota. This Official American League Gene A. Budig baseball was used during Smith’s 27th save of the 1995 season and 461st career save. This ball displays heavy use and Smith signed his name in bold blue pen on the side panel. Inscriptions on this ball in faded black ink include “Save #461”, “8-11-95”, “California 031 300 001 –8” and “Twins 202 100 000 –5”. This game used and signed baseball comes with a LOA from Lee Smith.

Auction Notepad