On August 1, 1994, Cal Ripken, Jr. edged closer to Lou Gehrig’s 2,130 consecutive games streak by reaching the 2,000 mark against the Minnesota Twins. What was once thought as the unreachable streak of catching Gehrig, was increasingly becoming more inevitable. Only the Player’s Strike of 1994 that ended the 1994 regular season in mid-August, which ultimately canceled the World Series as well and the threat of replacement players to start the 1995 season, would serve as a potential roadblock. Offered here is the very bat used by Ripken during his 2000th consecutive game played on August 1, 1994.

This Louisville Slugger P72 model bat has been photo matched to the August 1st, 1994 game by Resolution Photomatching and displays outstanding game use with a crack on the handle. There are many ball marks, stitch impressions, blue ink transfers, white leather scuffs and cleat imprints that are present on the barrel. There is a heavy coating of pine tar on the handle and Ripken applied white tape the lower barrel and inscribed “Game 2000” in blue marker. Ripken has also signed this bat in contrasting gold marker on the barrel and added the inscription “2000 Consecutive Game” below his signature. This bat comes directly from the personal collection of Cal Ripken, Jr. and a signed LOA from Cal will accompany this bat. In addition, there is a LOA from PSA/DNA (1B19696) for the game use and has been given a very high grade of GU 9.5, along with a LOA from Resolution Photomatching, who have photo matched this bat to the August 1st, 1994 game.

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