Roberto Clemente collected exactly 3,000 hits before his life came to an abrupt end on Dec. 31, 1972 at the tender age of 38. This upcoming New Year's Eve will mark the 50th anniversary of that tragic plane crash in his native Puerto Rico. The kindhearted Latino legend had chartered a small freight plane to deliver much-needed supplies to Nicaraguan earthquake victims. Unfortunately, engine failure right after take-off sent the Douglas DC-7CF falling into the Atlantic a mile and a half offshore killing all five people on board. The 15-time All-Star played all 18 seasons of his Hall of Fame career with the Pittsburgh Pirates, helping deliver World Series titles to the Steel City in 1960 and ‘71. He was, without question, the greatest right-fielder ever to play the position, winning 12 straight Gold Gloves from 1961-72.

This offered Roberto Clemente single signed baseball holds a strong 7.5/10 looking signature in blue ballpoint on the sweet spot of an Eastern Airlines stamped ball. Clemente had a brief professional affiliation with Eastern Airlines at the turn of the 1960's to 70's, and in this capacity he signed a limited number of balls featuring the Eastern Airlines logo. The sad irony associated with the sponsor only adds to the mystique and collectibility of this ball as the milestone anniversary of his death approaches. The ball is heavily brown-toned, although the perfection with which Clemente has left his mark on the sweet spot, front and center, more than makes up for any canvas distractions. Includes full LOA's from JSA and Beckett.