Opening Day Auction Closing May 9th
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/10/2015
Many individual achievements have been reached in Major League Baseball since 1968. There have been perfect games, no-hitters, and even a Triple Crown. However, one of the season milestones that have not been reached since that season has been 30 wins by a pitcher. Detroit Tigers ace Denny McLain was the last pitcher to reach 30 wins in 1968 and this personally signed and inscribed this Official American League Joseph Cronin baseball was from the last out of his 31st victory on September 18th of that historic season. McLain signed his name and inscribed “31-6, 1968” in black ink. The ball exhibits heavy game use and soiling and some discoloration on one side panel. From 1960-69, a consistent "Made in the USA" stamp was located under the reach logo, which is on this ball. This specific stamping changed during 1970, thus indicating that this ball has the correct markings for this game. This item comes with a full LOA from Mears, a COA from James Spence Authentication (M01997), and a notarized certificate of authenticity signed by Denny McLain attesting to the specific game use of this baseball.