Winter Auction 2016 Closing January 30th
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/31/2016
On June 15, 1977, the New York Mets traded three-time Cy Young Award winner Tom Seaver to the Cincinnati Reds for Pat Zachary, Doug Flynn, Steve Henderson and Dan Norman. The so-called ‘Midnight Massacre’ was a shock to many Mets fans who thought Seaver would spend all his playing years with the Mets.
On July 13, 1978, the New York Mets traveled to Cincinnati to face their former ace featuring the first-ever matchup that pitted Jerry Koosman against Seaver. Seaver gave up three runs, only one earned, in seven innings but ended up losing for the first time to the Mets 4-2. Ironically, Koosman was the winning pitcher and it would be his last win in his career as a Met.
This ball is from the final out of that historic game. It is inscribed with the details: ‘Mets – 4 – Reds – 2 – July 13, 1978 – WP – Koosman – LP – Seaver – Save – Lockwood.’ The ball has also been signed and inscribed ‘To Joe – Our Best Wishes – Jerry Koosman – Skip Lockwood.’
Assistant Trainer LOA