BIG LEAGUE BASEBALLS.com | MUSEUM OF BASEBALLS | SPECIAL EVENT | Special Event Game Balls 1999 | 1999 Home Run Derby Ball, Boston
Select image size
About the ball: The very first Commemorative Home Run Derby Baseball! This seldom seen special event ball is very unique, have the commemorative logo place on the top panel above the Rawlings logo, the only time this is seen in Rawlings and the Major's Special Event baseball history.
Additionally, the base for this commemorative is the 1999 All-Star Baseball, complete with its regular logo stamped on the lower panel and with red and blue stitches. This also makes it the only Home Run Derby ball with multi-colored laces, every ball since has used red laces. This baseball is extremely rare, one of the top 10 rarest Rawlings baseballs made and it is not known if it was ever sold commercially to fans.
The baseball pictured is game-used... make that Derby-used, as you can see by the mud rub stained leather cover. See additional pictures and you'll find the initials M.M. written in pen on the sweet spot. Those initials belong to Mark MacGwire, and he smashed this very ball over the fences at Fenway for a home run.
As legend has it, all participants in the Derby had their intended Derby baseballs initialed prior to taking their swings during the competition. It's rumored that this would allow the balls snagged in the fencing to be returned. On field officials would then be able to determine who hit each ball to certain areas, and how many.
Additionally, the base for this commemorative is the 1999 All-Star Baseball, complete with its regular logo stamped on the lower panel and with red and blue stitches. This also makes it the only Home Run Derby ball with multi-colored laces, every ball since has used red laces. This baseball is extremely rare, one of the top 10 rarest Rawlings baseballs made and it is not known if it was ever sold commercially to fans.
The baseball pictured is game-used... make that Derby-used, as you can see by the mud rub stained leather cover. See additional pictures and you'll find the initials M.M. written in pen on the sweet spot. Those initials belong to Mark MacGwire, and he smashed this very ball over the fences at Fenway for a home run.
As legend has it, all participants in the Derby had their intended Derby baseballs initialed prior to taking their swings during the competition. It's rumored that this would allow the balls snagged in the fencing to be returned. On field officials would then be able to determine who hit each ball to certain areas, and how many.
