1997 Cal Ripken Jr. Baltimore Orioles Signed Game-Used Home Jersey - MEARS

Sold For:

$3,000

Year:

1997

Auction:

2024 Spring

Lot #:

2769

Category:

Post-1900 Baseball Memorabilia

Baltimore Orioles home jersey worn by Hall of Fame shortstop Cal Ripken Jr. during the 1997 season. The white knit jersey is lettered "Orioles" across the front and features the number "8" on both the left breast and reverse. "Ripken" is lettered on the reverse, directly above the number. All letters and numerals are appliquéd in orange on black tackle twill. A special Jackie Robinson commemorative patch (celebrating the 50th anniversary of his 1947 debut), which was worn by every Major League Baseball team in 1997, adorns the right sleeve. A Baltimore Orioles team logo and "200" patch appears on the left sleeve. Located on the left front tail are a "Russell Athletic 50" label and a white strip tag displaying the player's number ("8"), size ("50"), and year ("97"). Ripken has beautifully inscribed the jersey in silver paint pen on the reverse numeral "8." The jersey is original as issued, with no alterations, and according to the MEARS LOA displays moderate wear throughout. Cal Ripken Jr. was one of the greatest players of the postwar era and his amazing record of playing in 2,632 consecutive games will probably never be broken. Ripken appeared in nineteen consecutive All-Star Games during his twenty-one year career (1983-2001) and is one of only twenty-six players to amass over 3,000 hits in his career. Other notable accomplishments include 431 home runs, a Rookie of the Year Award (1982), two AL MVP Awards (1983 and 1991), and two Gold Glove Awards (1991 and 1992). He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2007, his first year of eligibility. Graded A5 by MEARS (no post-1997 jersey can achieve a higher grade than A5 without additional provenance). Full LOA from MEARS (for the jersey only). Auction LOA from James Spence/JSA (for the autograph only). Opening Bid $500.