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 368th career save and 13th of the 1993 season as the St. Louis Cardinals defeated the Montreal Expos at the Stade Olympique on May 24th, 1993. Smith pitched a scoreless 10th inning with one strikeout and no hits allowed as this Official National League William D. White baseball was used during this game. Smith also set a Cardinals’ franchise record with his 130^th save with the club. This baseball shows outstanding use with toning and some chipping of the hyde. Smith signed his name in blue pen on the side panel. Inscriptions on this ball in light blue ink include “5-24-93”, “Save #368”, “Card Record #130”, “ST Louis 000 001 000 03 –4” and “Montreal 000 000 010 00–1”. 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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