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 started the 1996 season with the California Angels and was traded to the Cincinnati Reds on May 27^th. Smith wore this Russell Athletic size 54 button-down home white with red pinstripes Reds jersey vest for Reds in 1996 where he picked up two saves. The Reds “wishbone C” logo patch is sewn on the upper left chest and Smith’s number “47” on the right chest are sewn on in red and white tackle twill. “SMITH” and his “47” have been sewn on in red and white tackle twill on the back of the jersey with the red embroidered Russell Athletic logo above Smith’s name. The Russell Athletic tag is sewn on the bottom front left tail with a “6” EXTRA BODY LENGTH” flag attached. Smith signed his name diagonally on the “4” on the back of the jersey in black marker and inscribed “Game used”. This game used and signed Cincinnati Reds jersey shows light use and comes with a LOA from Lee Smith, who in his LOA states that this jersey has been in his personal collection.

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