Winter Auction 2015 closing February 7
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/8/2015
By 1970 Tom Seaver was the best pitcher in the National League. Already a young star when he led his New York Mets to the 1969 World Championship, Tom Terrific tore into the 1970 season with a vengeance. On May 15, 1970 he faced off against the Philadelphia Phillies. In the previous game Gary Gentry one-hit the Cubs in Chicago and now Seaver did the same by allowing just one single by Mike Compton in the third spoil his gem. Seaver struck out 15 Phillies that night and this ball was the last one thrown past Deron Johnson for strike three and the win. The ball has great provenance in that it was acquired directly from Seaver by the Mets' assistant trainer Joe Deer. The Spalding Official National League ball shows great game use and has been inscribed in blue ball point with "1 Hit vs. PHILA 5-15-70". The opposite side of the ball has Seaver's record to date "6-0" below which the Mets ace has signed his name. This was the only time in the club's history that back-to-back one hitters were thrown. This is a great piece of history from the Mets golden years, from the team's greatest star. Letter of provenance from Joe Deer, Jr. (and an 8x10 photo of Joe Sr. ) and Letter of Authenticity from PSA/DNA.