This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/21/2017
This game-used Rawlings Official National League (Feeney) baseball is the very one Tony Gwynn hit into the stands of Wrigley Field for his first career Major League home run on August 22, 1982. The initial blast came in the top of the 6th inning off Bill Campbell and put his Padres up 6-4 over the Cubs. The ball was retrieved and given to Gwynn as a memento of his first big league homer. Interestingly enough, Gwynn would not hit another long ball for over a year (9/23/83), a testament to his line-drive approach at the plate which served him so well throughout his Hall of Fame career.
The ball shows great game use with the scuffs and toning expected from a ball hit out of the ball park. The significance of the ball is noted by the hand-written stats and inscription on the ball including “1st MAJOR LEAGUE *HOME RUN*” and "at CHICAGO off of CAMPBELL 8-22-82" with his line in the boxscore "5 2 2 1 / AB R H RBI" all in neatly printed and now faded black ink. Incredible milestone baseball from the one and only Mr. Padre.
Includes LOA from Alicia Gwynn.