This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/7/2014
Cal Ripken Jr., Major League Baseballs “Iron Man,” holds the career mark for consecutive games played with 2,632. A veteran of 21 major league seasons, Ripken hung up his cleats following the 2001 season. This lot includes an actual game-used second base that Ripken has signed and inscribed from a Sept. 18, 2001 game vs. the Toronto Blue Jays. The game had a special meaning for two reasons: 1) it marked the first game played by the Baltimore Orioles since the 9/11 bombings a week earlier; and 2) it was the opener of a 3-game series in Toronto as part of the Ripken's farewell tour. The Blue Jays presented Ripken with a $5,000 check to the Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation as well as tributes from manager Buck Martinez, chairman Paul Godfrey and general manager Gord Ash. They also gave him a painting of him and Lou Gehrig, and a Blue Jays No. 8 Ripken jersey. The Orioles lost the game 8-5, but Ripken went 2-for-4 with his 430th career round-tripper. It would turn out to be his 2nd-to-last home run.
The game-used base is caked with game-used dirt from the Skydome infield and measures 15” wide by 15” high and 2.5” deep. Ripken has signed the base and inscribed it in black marker with “Cal Ripken Jr., Game Used 9-18-01 Career Home Run 430.” On the bottom is a piece of tape marked with "2nd" to denote which base. Its original in-the-ground metal post is still attached. The base comes with an MLB Authentication sticker #GT040603.
Includes JSA LOA and TriStar COA for the autograph and inscriptions.
Pre-certified by PSA/DNA.
This lot has a Reserve Price that has not been met.