This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/16/2012
One of the rarest and most desirable Clemente documents to ever surface in the hobby, offered here is an amazing October 10, 1954 signed contract baseball legend Roberto Clemente to play for Santruce of the Puerto Rican Winter League. This contract showcases a choice early Clemente autograph as well as his fingerprint. The contract, which is completely in Spanish, states that Clemente will be paid $275 per month for the 1954-55 Winter League season. Clemente played his entire big league career with the Pittsburgh Pirates, after being stolen by former Brooklyn head man Branch Rickey from the Dodgers, who were trying to hide him down on the farm at Montreal in 1954. The 12 time All-Star and 11 time Gold Glove winner played the next 18 years with the Pirates, finishing with 3,000 hits exactly and a lifetime .317 average. Clemente the man was just as impressive as Clemente the ball player, exemplified by the way he died, killed in a plane crash while trying to bring relief supplies to earthquake ravaged Nicaragua. Contract also contains both the signature and fingerprint of Clemente's father. Some soiling along top center with pair of punch holes. Right side of front page has some small tears and creases at the edge due to being larger than the back page. An incredible piece of early Roberto Clemente memorabilia, with very few equals. Accompanied by a full Letter of Authenticity from PSA/DNA.