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 was presented with this home plate for one of his milestone saves. This plate is the top portion and has five screw holes mounted on the underside. The plate displays toning and other scuff marks and Smith signed this plate in black marker while inscribing “478 Saves” and “7X All Star. There is chipping around the black edges and a small gouge on the top left corner of the face of the plate. This game used and signed home plate comes with a LOA from Lee Smith, who in his LOA states that this plate has been in his personal collection and does not recall which milestone he was presented with this plate.

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