Authentic JOHN LACKEY Autographed Ball, Direct from the Fenway Red Sox Clubhouse 

This is your chance to get an absolutely authentic, straight from the locker room, John Lackey signed baseball.  It's got the MLB certified sticker to guarantee authenticity.  John signed this ball in early 2011 at Red Sox spring training.  Little did we all know that he was about to embarked on a season for the ages by recording one of the Top 10 single worst seasons by a major league pitcher. You can just imagine how focused John was back in March when he had this puppy in his fat greasy fingers, wondering how his intense off-season gluttonous preparation was going to pay off.  We had no idea what a treat we were in for as we watched him make history!

John's 2011 quest got off to a solid beginning as he went 2-5 with an 8.01 ERA in his first seven starts. His season totals were hindered by a short stint on the disabled list for indigestion in May, but he was back on the mound racking up the losses and blowing 8 run leads soon thereafter.  By season end, Lackey recorded an ERA over 5.00 in every month but one!  He finished the season with a 12-12 record with a 6.41 ERA and 1.62 WHIP, both career records.  He also allowed 114 earned runs, giving him the AL title!  In explaining the 12 wins, John's agent was quick to note that it was important for John to record a win here and there, to string the fans along, and avoid any Dice-K treatment where he could be shutdown early and miss his chance to set the season records that he held so dearly.  Fans would also point out that his run support of 6.3 per game suggests that his total wins could be downplayed as an insignificant statistic. I mean, he didn’t exactly earn them.  History will judge.

The ball is pure John.  It's covered in a little fried chicken grease, as were most of the balls John signed in 2011.  The astute nose will detect a slight aroma of stale beer.  It's not yet confirmed if John will be back in a Red Sox uniform in 2012 and no one else is selling an authentic locker room ball quite like this one.  I don't wish to speculate, but you can imagine the value of these balls could skyrocket in future years.  Would make a great gift or office piece for any Red Sox fan, MLB collector, or any one of John's legion of fans.  Imagine your little one opening this up on Christmas morning, looking up to you in wonder and exclaiming “A real John Lackey ball!  How did you fine it?!  I Love you, Mom and Dad!”