Spring Premier Auction 2013

This was Rollie Fingers' third Rolaids Relief Man Award in four years, which is not too shabby since the award had only been started in 1976. After redefining the role of the relief pitcher in his pioneering stint as the closer for the great Oakland A's dynasty from 1972-74, Fingers followed the free agency route downstate to San Diego, startling the baseball world with one of the most successful free-agent transitions in a relief pitching role that had been historically inconsistent for many of its practitioners from one year to the next. Rollie Fingers was awarded his third of four Rolaids Relief Man Awards in 1980 by virtue of yet another sterling campaign of nearly 70 appearances, 100-plus innings and 23 saves. Truly the Padres had made one of the most successful ventures into free agency since it had been instituted only five years earlier. Fingers was presented with the 21-inch high trophy with a silver fireman's helmet supported by a silver column on a 10-inch high wooden base. A gold emblem at the front of the helmet features the iconic Major League Baseball red, white and blue logo, along with the words "Rolaids Relief Man Award" and "Major League Baseball." A 4-by-6-inch gold nameplate on the base notes Fingers' name, National League, San Diego Padres and 1980. The trophy is in wonderful condition, revealing only the smallest specks of wear or scuffing around the wooden base, and is in otherwise in problem-free and virtually as issued condition. Fingers has added his attractive and distinctive black Sharpie autograph on the back wooden panel of the base. Comes with a Letter of Authenticity from Rollie Fingers.

Pre-certified by PSA/DNA.