Auction Item Details
Lot 730
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Lot Number: 730
Description: Historic September 2, 1966 Roberto Clemente 2,000th Career Base Hit ball (Home Run off of Fergie Jenkins). The Chicago Cubs were in Pittsburgh for a series at Forbes Field against the Pirates in early September of 1966. The Cubs had a promising young pitcher on the mound for the September 2nd game by the name of Fergie Jenkins. Imagine the thrill for Jenkins as he struck out Roberto Clemente in his first at bat and had him bounce into a force out on his second trip to the plate. In Clemente's third at bat the tides turned however as he blasted a home run into the upper deck in right field at Forbes. The very ball was retrieved by a 15 year old Pirates fan by the name of Gary Chick. Chick was invited to meet the "Great One" after the game and in a kind gesture returned the historic baseball to Clemente in exchange for an autographed bat and ball. Official National League Warren Giles baseball exhibits evident use including some surface soiling and impact wear. Inscribed (printed) in blue ink on several panels, "Home Run 2,000 Base Hit 101-RBI R.Field"; "Cubs-3 Pgh-7"; and "Sept-3-1966 Pitcher F.Jenkins Cubs". Date reference of September 3rd on baseball likely in reference to the date of presentation to Clemente by Chick. Although not 100% conclusive, there are numerous areas of printing within the inscriptions which can be attributed to Clemente's hand especially in the case of "R.Field" of which other exemplars are known. The adjacent side panel features a lightly inscribed signature and address from the original recipient, Gary Chick, which may well have been at the request of the grateful Clemente. Remarkable milestone baseball with exceedingly rare primary source provenance and period photographic documentation. Includes letter of provenance from the Clemente family and copy of the original news article picturing Clemente holding the ball with Gary Chick: EXEstimated Price Range: ($20,000-$40,000)
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