Hall of Famer and baseball’s Ironman Cal Ripken, Jr’s breaking of Lou Gehrig’s historic consecutive game’s streak captured the nation as evident in this 8 ½ x 11-inch certificate of commendation presented to Cal by the then-Governor of Wisconsin Tommy Thompson. “The State of Wisconsin OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR” is printed on the top with “CERTIFICATE OF COMMENDATION HONORING CAL RIPKEN JR.” below. The certificate reads “IN RECOGNITION OF SETTING MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL’S RECORD FOR CONSECUTIVE GAMES PLAYED, SURPASSING THE PREVIOUS MARK OF 2,130 AND FOR INSPIRING OTHERS WITH YOUR DEDICATION TO YOUR PROFESSION AND COMMITMENT TO YOUR COMMUNITY. CAL RIPKEN JR. EXEMPLIFIES THE VALUES OF THE PEOPLE OF WISCONSIN HOLD SO DEAR: A STRONG WORK ETHIC, LOYALTY AND DEDICATION TO ONES COWORKERS AND COMMUNITY, AND DEVOTION TO FAMILY. CAL RIPKEN JR. REPRESENTS EVERYTHING THAT IS GOOD AND RIGHT ABOUT PROFESSIONAL BASEBALL. I THANK CAL FOR THE JOY HE HAS BROUGHT TO THE BASEBALL FANS OF WISCONSIN AND FOR SERVING AS A TREMENDOUS ROLE MODEL FOR THE CHILDREN AND THE PEOPLE OF THIS GREAT STATE. I EXTEND MY PERSONAL CONGRATULATIONS TO CAL AND WISH HIM AND HIS FAMILY CONTINUED HEALTH AND SUCCESS. PRESENTED WITH MY BEST WISHES. DONE AT THE CAPITOL IN THE CITY OF MADISON THIS TWENTY-SECOND DAY OF SEPTEMBER IN THE YEAR ONE THOUSAND NINE HUNDRED NINETY-FIVE.” The gold seal of Wisconsin with two red ribbons is located at the bottom left corner and this certificate has been mounted with a plastic covering to a 10 ½ x 13-inch wood plaque. This comes directly from the personal collection of Cal Ripken, Jr. and a signed LOA from Cal will accompany this award.

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