This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/4/2017
Since the late 1930s Puerto Rico was a hotbed of winter season baseball. By the 1940s the Puerto Rican Winter League was attracting the best Latin and Negro League players, and by the 1950s the Major Leagues began sending their most promising prospects to the island to give them more experience. By far the greatest player to emerge from the PRWL was native Roberto Clemente. Over fifteen summers Clemente hit a combined .323.
In the 1970-71 season he was named manager of the San Juan Senadores, his first and only full season as a manager. With a roster featuring MLB players Mike Cuellar, Manny Sanguillen, Ken Brett, Ken Singleton and Dave Cash, Clemente led the Senadores to a 37-30 record to make the playoffs, but lost in the semi-finals 2 games to 4. Sadly, Clemente would die in a tragic plane crash the following winter, never having another chance to manage. This un-marked Haiti-made ball contains the signatures of 29 of the 1970-71 Senadores including skipper Roberto Clemente who signed the sweet spot beneath the hand written year “1971”. The ball shows toning from age and the blue ball point signatures remain strong. An incredibly rare team ball from Clemente’s only season as a manager in what is now called the Roberto Clemente Professional Baseball League.
The ball comes with an LOA from JSA and PSA/DNA.
This lot has a Reserve Price that has not been met.