Lot # 814: June 19th, 1982 Pete Rose Signed Career Hit #3,800 Game Used Commemorative Baseball with Full JSA & Provenance

Score a milestone souvenir from the "Hit King", with the acquisition of this Pete Rose signed baseball. Consigned by prominent sports memorabilia dealer and collector Ed Dolan, this baseball was struck by Rose off a pitch from San Diego Padres reliever Eris Show, on July 19, 1982. Rose was playing first base for the Philadelphia Phillies at the time, and this baseball is counted as career hit number 3,800.

In an accompanying notarized letter of provenance, Dolan states he purchased this game-used ONL/Feeney baseball directly from high profile Philadelphia sportscaster Howard Eskin. In his capacity as a radio and television personality, Eskin had abundant opportunities to acquire sports memorabilia directly from players, and he is an avid collector. Dolan relates the anecdotes that Rose gave this ball to Eskin contemporaneously, and at some point, in a moment of good-natured ribbing, Rose dubbed Eskin "King", as in king of the Philadelphia sports reporting media, a moniker Eskin wore with pride throughout the rest of his lengthy career.

Located on the north panel of this "mudded" ball, Rose's signature is as bold as his personality. Written above and below Rose's signature, is the outcome of the game in question, "Phillies - 7, San Diego - 6". More writing is located on the south panel, with "Career Hit #3,800 vs. Eric Show June 19, 1982". The accompanying LOA from JSA states "The additional writing on this baseball was penned in an unknown hand.". Though not confirmed, the writing is consistent with Eskin's handwriting style. Rose got this hit number 3,800 when he led off the 7th inning of the 7/19/82 game against the Padres, and the "June 19, 1982" dating error written on the ball seems a reasonable recording error.

Full LOA from James Spence/JSA.

Notarized Letter of Provenance from Ed Dolan.