1990 marked a decade of service for Baltimore’s Cal Ripken, Jr. A star from his first full season when he won the Al Rookie of the Year Award, Cal cemented his fame by winning the 1983 AL MVP Award. In the ensuing years, Ripken became legendary for his impeccable work ethic that saw him playing every single game since May 30, 1982. As 1990 dawned, it became evident that he could actually be a threat to break Lou Gehrig’s record of 2,130 consecutive games played. The Orioles had become something of a Ripken-family entity, with Cal Ripken Sr. a coach and brother Billy the Birds’ second baseman. Both brothers had a shining year in 1990 with the two Ripken’s both hitting 28 doubles. Cal, Jr. continued his excellent fielding, committing just three errors during the season. The year ended in controversy when Ozzie Guillen was voted the AL Golden Glove third baseman, despite the fact that he committed 14 more errors than Cal. Ever the professional, Cal refused to dwell on the matter, setting himself up for what was his finest season in 1991 - .323 average coupled with 34 homers, 46 doubles and 114 RBI. He claimed his second MVP Award and was named the All-Star Game MVP and Home Run Derby winner as well. This bat was used by Cal Ripken, Jr. during the 1990 season.

This offered Louisville Slugger S188 model bat shows heavy game use with a repaired handle crack. The right, left and back barrel displays many ball marks with stitch impressions. Blue ink transfers are present, along with cleat marks. The lower handle and center brand has a moderate coat of pine tar. The knob features Ripken’s famed number “8” in black marker along with the bat’s weight code of “2.” PSA/DNA has determined that this bat’s model, weight and length matched the ones ordered by the Orioles legend during the 1986 to 1990 period. Further narrowing down the date, the distinct style of center brand on this piece was used only on bats produced by Louisville Slugger in 1990, and the presence of the “LOUISVILLE SLUGGER” stamping under the player name on the barrel, absent on bats produced after the beginning of the regular season, has led PSA/DNA to opine that this bat was from the February 23, 1990 order placed by Ripken. A tremendous bat, used by the Iron Man himself at the height of his fame, and traced to a single bat order – Hall of Fame games don’t get any better than this. This bat comes with a LOA from PSA/DNA (G55096) for the game use and has been graded a perfect GU 10.

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