Tommy John Signed, Game-Used Ball from His First Yankee Shutout and Complete Game.
Lot 51. Tommy John Signed, Game-Used Ball from His First Yankee Shutout and Complete Game. At Baltimore’s Memorial Stadium on April 12, 1979, John blanked the Orioles, 5-0, on three hits. The first inning made it seem unlikely that he would record his first shutout and complete game as a Yankee. With one out, Mark Belanger doubled. After Ken Singleton walked, Eddie Murray flied to center field. Next, a Doug DeCinces infield single loaded the bases. John ended the rocky initial first inning by getting Lee May to ground out. After that, he was close to perfect, giving up only a walk and third-inning single. The win boosted his record to 2-0 and improved the Yankees’ to 3-3. Thurman Munson called the pitches and aided his hurler with a singles and an RBI. During the rest of the season, he won 19 more games while losing only nine. John signed the south panel of the ball. His signature grades mint 9 to gem mint 10 and is authenticated by Kevin Keating. The score is on the sweet spot of the OAL MacPhail ball, and the date is on the north panel. Winning Bid $110.
