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 picked up career save number 447 while pitching for the California Angels against one of his former teams the New York Yankees on June 2nd, 1995 at Yankee Stadium. Smith got the final out in the ninth inning to preserve the Angels 3-2 victory as he earned his 13th save of the 1995 season and kept his ERA at 0.00. This Official American League Gene A. Budig baseball shows outstanding use and is toned. Smith signed his name in blue pen on the side panel. Inscriptions on this ball in faded black ink include “Save #447”, “5-29-95”, “California 100 021 000 –4” and “new york 000 200 000–2”. Please note that the line score and final score of the Angels was inscribed incorrectly by Smith. 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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