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.

     Presented is a game-used baseball, signed and inscribed by right-handed Major League Baseball relief pitcher Lee Smith. Smith has inscribed “Save #349” in faded black ink to the right of the black-stamped ONL White baseball, and below the inscription has signed his name in blue ink. To the right of the black-stamped Rawlings logo he has inscribed the line score of the St. Louis Cardinals/San Diego Padres game in faded black ink. That night in St. Louis, Smith picked up his 37th save of the season in a 2-0 victory over the Padres with one inning of relief work. This item is accompanied by a LOA from Smith.

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