This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/16/2017
It's considered by many to be the greatest pitching performance in major league history and it resulted in a loss. On May 26, 1959, Pittsburgh's Harvey Haddix got the final out in the 9th inning of a perfect game. The only problem was that Lew Burdette had a shutout going himself, and the game entered extra innings. Haddix threw three more perfect innings, twelve in all, before losing his grasp on perfection when Don Hoak booted a Felix Mantilla grounder. After Hank Aaron was intentionally walked, Joe Adcock ended the no-hitter and the game with a home run, or so it seemed. Thinking the ball had stayed in play, Aaron cut across the diamond on his way back to the dugout and when Adcock passed his progress on the base path, both men were called out. However, Mantilla had already scored and the game was over. Haddix's line was 13 innings pitched, one hit, one run, eight strikeouts and a loss. The featured ONL (Giles) ball is signed "To Johnnie Best Wishes Harvey Haddix" with that fateful date of May 26, 1959. While we can't confirm the ball was actually put in play during that marathon contest, it was part of the inventory that was prepped (rubbed up) for use in that game. The father of our consignor was an employee in the Braves organization and approached Haddix to sign the ball at its conclusion. A newspaper clipping of Haddix's unbelievable performance that night is included. LOA from JSA.