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 473 when he pitched a scoreless ninth inning for the Cincinnati Reds as they defeated the Chicago Cubs 7-4 at Cinergy Field in Cincinnati on June 28, 1996. Smith recorded his second save for the Reds and this Official National League Leonard S. Coleman baseball was used during this game. This ball shows solid game use and displays only minor toning. Smith signed his name in bold blue pen on the side panel. Inscriptions on this ball in faded black ink include “Save #473”, “6-29-96”, “Chicago 200 020 000 –4 9 0” and “Reds 401 001 01X– 7 9 1”.This game used and signed baseball comes with a LOA from Lee Smith.

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