This lot is closed. Bidding ended on 6/27/2002.
In perhaps the most thrilling Fall Classic of all time, the 2001 World Series came down to the final at-bat - a bases-loaded bloop single by Luis Gonzalez off "unbeatable" reliever Mariano Rivera, to clinch the D'backs first-ever title in only their fourth season. The Series featured unbelievable game-tying and game-winning late-inning homers by the Yankees' Tino Martinez, Derek Jeter and Scott Brosius off hapless reliever Byung Yung Kim in games four and five, but the stifling pitching of Series MVPs Randy Johnson and Curt Schilling overcame Yankee "mystique." These are two mint Official 2001 World Series balls, one signed by the champion D'backs and the other by the prideful Yankees, that recall the nail-biting drama. The D'back ball has 27 signatures including manager Bob Brenly (SS), Johnson, Schilling, Gonzalez, Matt Williams, Steve Finley, Tony Womack, Craig Counsell, etc. The Yankee ball has 26 signatures including manager Joe Torre (SS), Jeter, Roger Clemens, Andy Pettitte, Martinez, Brosius, Rivera, Bernie Williams, Jorge Posada, etc. Signatures on both balls are in blue pen and rate 9s and near 10s.