Early 1970's Roberto Clemente Single Signed Baseball....

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Sold on Jul 31, 2014 for:

$11,950.00 Bid Source: Live: Phone bidder

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A magnificent, unpersonalized specimen from a true baseball hero

Early 1970's Roberto Clemente Single Signed Baseball. He gave his Pittsburgh fans the pleasure of witnessing his 3,000th career hit before giving his life in a tragic airplane accident during the subsequent off-season while on a humanitarian aid mission to Nicaragua. Like the noble Lou Gehrig before him, baseball waived the standard five-year waiting period for Hall of Fame enshrinement, honoring the fallen twelve-time Gold Glover along with Monte Irvin, George Kelly and Warren Spahn as members of the 1973 induction class.

Clemente's appearance here on the sweet spot of an Official National League baseball from the Feeney presidency places the signing late in the legendary outfielder's life, as it was Warren Giles manning the reins of the Senior Circuit through 1969. This particular specimen is one of the finest we've ever encountered, the autograph applied with 9+/10 blue ballpoint ink and prefaced by a "Best Wishes" sentiment but no personalization. We attribute the light toning to the sphere to rubbing mud, suggesting that this ball saw action in a Pittsburgh Pirates contest prior to its post-game encounter with Clemente. Full LOA from PSA/DNA. Full LOA from James Spence Authentication.