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 recorded his 1,000^th career strikeout during the May 6^th, 1992 between the St. Louis Cardinals and San Francisco Giants. Smith struck out Giants catcher Jim McNamara in the ninth inning to achieve this milestone. This Official National League William D. White baseball was the ball used in striking out McNamara and displays outstanding use with only minor toning. Smith signed his name in bold blue pen on the side panel. Inscriptions on this sweet spot ball in black ink include “#Jim McNamara #1,000 K San Francisco Giants”. This game used and signed baseball comes with a LOA from Lee Smith, who in his LOA states that this ball was used for his 1,000^th career strikeout and has been in his personal collection.

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