With a nation, and New York City in particular, still reeling from the devastating September 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center, Pentagon, and Shanksville, PA, the World Series was delayed due to the fallout from the tragic attacks. The nation was just readjusting to a new normal when the World Series between the Arizona Diamondbacks and New York Yankees began. It turned out to be one of the most thrilling World Series in Major League Baseball history. The series went to seven games and featured two extra-inning games and three late-inning comebacks. The Diamondbacks defeated the Yankees in seven games and it was the first World Series title for Arizona and the first for a western-based team that wasn’t located in California. The pitching staff of the Diamondbacks was led by World Series CO-MVP’s Curt Schilling and Randy Johnson, held the formidable Yankees offense to a batting average of .183. The 2001 World Series was the subject of a documentary, “Nine Innings from Ground Zero” released in 2004.

Presented here is an Official Major League Allan H. Selig 2001 World Series baseball signed by Yankees manager Joe Torre and the Mayor of New York City, Rudy Giuliani. The limited-edition, number 106/911 baseball features “RAWLINGS” stamped in blue on the north panel. “OFFICAL BALL 2001 WORLD SERIES” with the facsimile signature of Commissioner Allan H. Selig is stamped in blue on the sweet spot of the baseball. A stamped American flag labeled “CEREMONIAL FIRST PITCH” is stamped on the south panel. Torre and Giuliani signed the south panel of the baseball with a blue ballpoint pen just below the “CEREMONIAL FIRST PITCH” stamp featuring the American flag. “106/911” is inscribed by an unknown hand on the south panel of the baseball with a blue ballpoint pen. The signatures are bold and the baseball is a clean bright white. The Official 2001 World Series baseball signed by Torre and Giuliani comes encapsulated and authenticated by Beckett Authentication (0010557948), an MLB Authenticated hologram (MR043604) and a COA from Steiner Sports.

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