Winter Auction 2016 Closing January 30th
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/31/2016
The late 80's were the "sweet spot" of Cal Ripken, Jr's career. Already established as a big league star, Ripken proceeded to display the unstoppable work ethic that defined his career. It was during this period that Ripken's streak of consecutive games played was first noted and it was a stretch in which he won two Silver Slugger Awards. Dating from this 1986-1989 period, Cal's Louisville Slugger F149 model bat has a slight crack and exhibits heavy game use. The barrel shows many ball marks and stitch impressions along with white leather ball scuffs. There are numbers cleat imprints and bat rack scuffs throughout. Ripken's famous number "8" has been hand written on the knob end in black marker. The Iron Man has signed the bat's barrel adding "2007 Hall of Fame" in gold pen which perfectly matches the factory gold stamping on the bat. A gorgeous gamer from the hardest working man in the game. Letter of Authenticity from PSA/DNA (Z94859) and bat experts MEARS (311545) who gave this bat a nearly perfect score of A9.5 (1/2 point deducted for the handle crack). LOA from JSA