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 relief pitcher Lee Smith, when he picked up career save #399 on September 13, 1993. Smith has inscribed, in black ink, “9-13-93” to the right of the OAL Brown white leather baseball, and below, also in black ink, has inscribed the New York and Milwaukee line score and “Save #399.” He has signed his name in blue ink below the “Save #399” inscription. A late season pickup by the New York Yankees that year, Smith was traded by the St. Louis Cardinals, and pitched nearly perfectly for the last month of the season. In eight games for the Yankees, Smith did not allow a single run and picked up three saves and 11 strikeouts. Leading the Brewers in Milwaukee that night (Sept. 13, 1993), Lee entered the game with two out in the eighth inning and the Brew Crew threatening, having just scored their first run in the game. Smith threw 1 1/3rd innings and 23 pitches, 16 for strikes, allowed one hit and struck out one en route to his 399th career save (and 44th of the season). This item is accompanied by a LOA from Smith.

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