This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/21/2017
Imagine owning a jersey from the feel-good year of 1995 when the whole baseball world sat enthralled as the classy Cal Ripken Jr. pursued Lou Gehrig’s all-time consecutive games record. The "Iron Man" of the modern baseball era ultimately set the MLB record playing in 2,623 consecutive games, but the focus in 1995 was on Ripken, the icon he was about to unseat and, more dramatically, the resurgence of the entire Major League Baseball scene only a year after a disastrous labor tangle had escalated to the unthinkable and canceled the World Series. It was from this sorry first act that the Ripken show found itself front and center on the American state in 1995, and it’s a fair bet to say that no one could have handled the repeated curtain calls and thunderous, sustained applause and adulation any better than Ripken. That then is the kind of historical importance attached to this amazing road jersey.
On the front left tail of the jersey is the "Russell" manufacturers tag with wash instructions and the jersey size "48.” Attached to that is an additional manufacturer tags with "100% POLYESTER" on it. Below that is an additional manufacturer’s tag with "95" at the center. Across the front of the jersey is "Orioles" in script in orange-on-black on white tackle twill. Below that on the left is the player No. "8" in orange on black tackle twill. Across the back is "RIPKEN" in orange-on-black tackle twill on a grey nameplate. Below that is the player No "8," also in black on orange tackle twill. On the left sleeve is the official "Orioles" embroidered logo patch; on the right sleeve is the "Russell" embroidered logo. There is Velcro between the second and third button on the top of the jersey to help keep the jersey in line properly. The jersey shows game use and appears to have no alterations of any kind. There is minimal fraying of the white or black stitching around any of the letters or numbers elements. It is signed “Best Wishes, Cal Ripken Jr.” on the front right below the “Orioles” script lettering.
Comes with a Letter of Authenticity concerning MLB sourcing. Autograph pre-certified by PSA/DNA.