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 notched his 366th career save and 11th of the 1993 season as the St. Louis Cardinals defeated the New York Mets 7-4 at Busch Stadium on May 11th, 1993. Smith pitched a scoreless ninth inning allowing only a hit as this Official National League William D. White baseball was used during this game. This baseball shows moderate use with only minor toning and some abrasion marks. Smith signed his name in blue pen on the side panel. Inscriptions on this ball in light black ink include “Save #366 5-11-93”, “New york 000 013 000 – 4 12 2” and “Cardinals 400 201 00X – 7 13 0”. This game used and signed baseball comes with a LOA from Lee Smith, who in his LOA states that this ball has been in his personal collection.

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