This lot is closed. Bidding ended on 12/10/2004.
One of the great tragic figures of the game, Pirate superstar Roberto Clemente died in a plane crash at the age of 37. He was so beloved that the five year mandatory eligibility waiting period was waived and he was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1973. Having spent his entire 17-year career with the Pirates, Clemente won the 1971 World Series MVP with 12 hits, a .414 batting average and two homers, including one in the Game 7 victory over the Orioles. A lifetime .317 hitter with four batting titles, Clemente had exactly 3,000 hits over the course of his career. He led the NL in assists five times (a record), won 12 gold gloves and was voted an All-Star 12 times. He felt snubbed after finishing eighth for the 1960 NL MVP, and as a consequence refused to ever wear his Championship ring; instead, he wore his 1961 All-Star ring. This official League Pittsburgh Pirates Haiti baseball shows some toning overall; it has been signed in black ink on the side panel by Roberto Clemente, who added the inscription "Sinceramente." Above the inscription is written "To Galle," slightly faded, which appears to be in a hand other than Clemente's. The signature grades an overall 7. Comes with a letter from PSA/DNA.