Winter Auction 2016 Closing January 30th
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/31/2016
On August 13, 1986 Barry Larkin debuted for his hometown Cincinnati Reds as a pinch hitter against the Giants. Larkin hit into an RBI sacrifice but still awaited his first hit. He didn't have to wait long. Three days later he faced Padres ace Dave Dravecky and he smashed a single to right center. This is the ball Larkin hit that day, the first of 2,340. The Rawlings Official National League Sweeney ball is proudly inscribed in black ink "First Major League Base Hit From August 15, 1986 Single To Right Center v.s. S.D. Padres Pit. D. Dravecky 2nd time at Bat in the Major Leagues!". A side panel has "2nd Major League Game!" enthusiastically inscribed. The ball shows good game use and the panel with the longer inscription has a coat of shellack which has darkened slightly with age. A great ball that marks the first hit of a Hall of Fame career. Barry Larkin LOA. All Barry Larkin LOAs contain a facsimile signature from Larkin and are accompanied by a Goldin Auctions LOA confirming the product came directly from Barry Larkin.