This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/15/2008
The significance of this baseball lies not only in the fact that it was clouted by Mel Ott for his 30th home run of the 1929 season, but also that it displays as one of the finest Ott single signed balls ever seen. Ott's rare full name "Melvin Ott" signature addresses the sweet spot, rating 7-8/10. The panel to the right of his signature bears the notation "30th Homer 1929". The red and blue stitched official (Heydler) ball has faded stampings, and is evenly toned. Ott would smash 42 round trippers and drive in 151 runs during the 1929 season (both career highs). A prolific home run hitter, Ott was a 6-time NL home run leader, in 1932, 1934, 1936-38, and 1942. He was both the youngest player to hit 100 home runs and the first National Leaguer to hit 500 home runs. He passed Rogers Hornsby to become the all-time NL home run leader in 1937 and held that title until Willie Mays passed him in 1966. He also holds the major league record for leading his team in home runs, 18 consecutive years from 1928 to 1945. Because of the modern free agency era, this record might never be broken. This ball is certainly one of the most important Ott related baseballs ever offered publicly. LOA from PSA/DNA.
20,000 USD - 30,000 USD