In 1997, Commissioner Allan “Bud” Selig paid the ultimate tribute to Jackie Robinson when he announced on the 50th Anniversary of Robinson breaking the color barrier that Major League Baseball would retire Robinson’s famed number “42” for all of baseball. The only players that were allowed to wear number 42 were the current players who had that number. At that time 13 players were wearing number 42, which included players like Mariano Rivera, Mo Vaughn and Jose Lima. Some players like Dennis Cook and Tom Goodwin actually gave up the number following the 1997 season.

     Fast forward 16 years and all-time saves leader and New York Yankee Mariano Rivera, who became the Yankees full-time closer in 1997, was the only player left wearing that fabled number. Offered is this Official Allan H. Selig baseball that has been signed on the sweet spot by Rivera. Fittingly, Rivera’s signature is on a Selig baseball as it was he who announced the league-wide retirement of number 42. Rivera, below his signature, inscribed “Last to wear #42”. Both his signature and inscription have been penned in bold blue ink. Accompanying this baseball is a COA from PSA/DNA (P79749), who have graded this baseball a GEM MINT 10, Rivera’s autograph a NM 9 and an overall grade of NM 9.5.

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