The 2001 World Series was not only notable for its on-field drama of ending on the last pitch of Game 7, but served as a welcome distraction from the events of September 11th only a few miles from Yankee Stadium – home to Games 3, 4 & 5 of the Series. President George Bush got the Yankee Stadium crowd going with his ceremonial pitch prior to Game 3 for a strike and the Yankee bats saved their best for the late innings of each game. Following Tino Martinez’s dramatic game-tying 2-run home run in the bottom of the 9th inning of Game 4 and Derek Jeter’s subsequent walk-off home run in the bottom of the 10th inning that earned him the nickname “Mr. November”, the stage was set for Game 5 of the now even World Series.

To kick things off in the Bronx, the Yankees called on “Mr. October” himself Reggie Jackson and longtime Yankee Don Mattingly to throw out the ceremonial first pitch. Both performed their duties and set the stage for another dramatic game that would unfold. Offered here is one of the ceremonial first pitch baseballs from Game 5 of the 2001 World Series. This ball has the “OFFICIAL BALL 2001 WORLD SERIES Allan H. Selig COMMISSIONER” stamp across the sweet spot and an American flag “CEREMONIAL 1ST PITCH” stamp on the panel below. Both Mattingly and the Hall of Famer Jackson have signed their names on the panel with the American flag stamp. Mattingly signed his name in blue pen, while Jackson signed his name in black pen below, adding “44” inside the “J” of Jackson. This comes with an MLB Authenticated hologram (GR096967), authenticating that this ball was signed by Mattingly and Jackson on November 1, 2001.

Auction Notepad