Willie Mays-Signed and Framed Sports Illustrated Cover with Note Celebrating 3,000th Hit

Framed Sports Illustrated cover, originally published on July 27, 1970, and featuring the legendary Willie Mays. A remarkable piece of memorabilia signed by Mays himself. Known as the “Say Hey Kid,” Mays is widely regarded as one of the greatest all-around players in baseball history. This unique item includes a personalized note from Mays, celebrating Tony Gwynn’s entry into the exclusive 3,000-hit club—a milestone that connects these two Hall of Famers in baseball lore.

Both Mays and Gwynn achieved their 3,000th hits against the Montreal Expos, further intertwining their legacies. Mays, who reached 3,000 hits in 1970, was already a member of this elite group when Gwynn accomplished the feat on August 6, 1999. The mutual respect between these two legends is captured in this signed and inscribed cover, symbolizing the rare company they keep in the game’s history.

For collectors, this framed and signed Sports Illustrated cover, obtained from the Gwynn family and authenticated through TRuEST™ in San Diego, CA, offers a tangible connection between two of baseball’s most iconic hitters. It’s a celebration not just of Tony Gwynn’s remarkable career, but of the lasting impact he had on fellow legends like Willie Mays.

Dimensions: 17.5" x 14.5" x 1"

At the time of its use or awarding, this item was not witnessed by a TRuEST™ authenticator. The provenance has been provided by the Tony Gwynn Estate, which is why it has received our Silver authentication.

Our authentication process, TRuEST™ is the most secure multi-layered, witness-based authentication process in the market. Items are taken directly from the source and backed by a 10x money-back guarantee. State-of-the-art covert marking and holographic technologies uniquely identify each item with a tamper-resistant Gold or Silver label and serial number. These holograms are non-transferable, and the serial number's history can be verified online.