This lot is closed. Bidding ended on 12/10/2004.
After hitting 36 homeruns in his first full year (1996) with the Mariners, "Arod" began to establish himself as one of the first shortstops to really hit for power. A perennial All-Star from the start, Rodriguez became only the third player to ever hit 40 homers and steal 40 bases in a season (1999). He was named the American League MVP in 2003 after hitting 47 homers with 118 RBIs. His trade to the Yankees this year gave Rodriguez the opportunity to compete in the biggest media market in the world, and Yankee fans hope he will play a major role in bringing a World Series trophy back to The Bronx. This OAL Budig homerun baseball shows heavy use and has been signed in blue ballpoint on the side panel by Rodriguez, who added the inscription "HR #15 Ball." This particular ball dates from Rodriguez' rookie year and is possibly the earliest known Arod home run ball. It comes with a letter from PSA/DNA.