This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/20/2011
Spectacular Baltimore Orioles home jersey worn by Hall of Fame shortstop Cal Ripken Jr. during the 1985 season. Graded a perfect A10 by MEARS, this is undoubtedly one of the finest Cal Ripken Jr. jerseys in existence, especially with regard to provenance. The jersey originates from professional photographer Alan Sessarego, who covered the Orioles during the mid 1980s. In his detailed accompanying LOA, Sessarego details how he obtained the jersey at Orioles Spring Training in 1986 and details his encounter with Ripken whereby he signed the jersey for him. Its outstanding provenance aside the jersey speaks for itself in terms of originality and usage characteristics. The white knit jersey is lettered "Orioles" across the front and features the number "8" on both the left breast and reverse. "Ripken" is arched above the number on the reverse. All letters and numerals are applied in orange on black tackle twill. On the inside left front tail is the Rawlings manufacturer’s tag noting size “44” with an adjacent flag tag noting “Set 1 1985”. Ripken has beautifully signed the jersey in black marker (grading "8/10') on the front tail. Although 1985 marked only Ripken's fourth full season in the Majors, he was already established as one of the game's premier players, with both a Rookie of the Year Award and Most Valuable Player Award displayed on his mantel. He also entered the season having played in 441 consecutive games, which, unbeknownst to everyone at the time, would provide the foundation that would eventually lead to his breaking Lou Gehrig's long-standing record ten years later. Ripken enjoyed another banner season in 1985, finishing the year with 26 home runs, 110 RBI and a .282 average. He also appeared in his third of an eventual nineteen consecutive All-Star Games. In addition to his "Iron Man" reputation, Ripken is among an elite class of players to have reached the 3,000 hit plateau and his 431 lifetime home runs ranks him among the top 50 all-time. He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2007 in his first year of eligibility. Graded A10 by MEARS, this is an exceptional and extremely well documented Ripken jersey dating from his early career.
Letter from MEARS graded A10.