This lot is closed. Bidding ended on 6/6/2013.
Roberto Clemente played his entire 18 year career for the Pittsburgh Pirates. He was awarded the National League MVP in 1966, was a National League All-Star for twelve seasons, received 12 Gold Glove Awards, and led the National League in batting average four times. In 1972, Clemente got his 3,000th major league hit. He died tragically in an aviation accident on December 31, 1972, while en route to deliver aid to earthquake victims in Nicaragua. Clemente was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame posthumously in 1973, becoming the first Latin American to be selected and one of only two Hall of Fame members for whom the mandatory five-year waiting period had been waived. This is as fine a Clemente as you will find. Manuf: H&B Signature Model. Model Number: U1. Length: 36 in Weight: 38.8 oz Labeling Period: 1969-72 Wood: Ash. Condition: Uncracked. Ball and hit marks are visible on the right, left and back barrel. There is a light coat of pine tar on the upper handle. Scoring is visible on the left barrel. Clemente’s number “21” is written on the knob end in black marker, a perfect “21” as noted by John Taube of PSA/DNA. The bat exhibits evidence of outstanding use. Accompanied by a LOA from PSA/DNA grading the bat a GU10.