This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/3/2016
In an unusual twist of fate, three characters of Major League Baseball have signed this Official National League of Professional Baseball Clubs check, dated April 3, 1987, in black ballpoint pen. Pete Rose, the all-time MLB hit leader with 4256 hits, Bart Giamatti, National League President who later as Commissioner banned Rose from baseball and umpire Lawrence “Dutch” Rennert, known for his antics calling strikes, have signed this check. Rennert’s endorsement is on the back. Bart Giamatti, as National League President gave Pete Rose, who was in his 5th season as manager, a 30 day suspension in 1988. The suspension came when Rose had a volatile dispute with an umpire that became physical. This was the longest suspension for a manager since 1947 when Leo Durocher was suspended for an entire season. One year later in 1989, Bart Giamatti became Commissioner of MLB and in what is known as the “Pete Rose/A.Bartlett Giamatti Agreement”, the Commissioner of Baseball banned Pete Rose from baseball for life. Rose was banned for betting on baseball games as manager of the Cincinnati Reds, an accusation which he denied at the time, but signed the agreement nonetheless. In an ironic twist of fate, umpire “Dutch” Rennert in 1989 is remembered for an encounter with the next Reds manager, Lou Piniella, who took first base and tossed it twice into right field. Dutch Rennert was rated by a NY Times poll in 1983 as the best NL umpire, years later it was revealed that he could not see out of his left eye. Very good condition. Comes with a Gotta Have Rock & Roll™ Certificate of Authenticity.