Since 1988, MEARS President/CEO Troy Kinunen was a fixture at Milwaukee/Chicago area autograph signings. After striking up a relationship with Bob Allen, Hank Aaron's marketing/autograph agent, Kinunen conducted a series of private signings with Hank Aaron during the 1988-2000 era. For his last signing, knowing he was getting ready to sign an exclusive contract with Steiner, (Aaron sought Kinunen's advice on the contract), Aaron agreed to sign what has proven to be the ultimate stat ball. For this piece, Aaron added 8 personal stats. On the sweet spot in ball point pen, Aaron wrote, "Hank Aaron #44. On the panel directly below, .305 BA (batting average), 2771 Hits, HOF 1982, 1954-76 (career playing years). The opposite panel proudly displayed his milestone homeruns, "#1 HR 7/1/54, #715 4/8/74, and finally, #755 7//76". To my knowledge, this is the only time these were ever signed and I have never seen another example with as many or more stats. Simply the best for the autograph ball collector. JSA sticker and matching COA card, #C16741.