This is Cal Ripken, Jr.’s uniform he wore when he hit his 400th career home run. When one thinks of Cal Ripken, Jr., his unbeatable record of 2,632 consecutive games payed comes instantly to mind. The magnitude of the streak is such that it is hard to remember what a powerful slugger the Iron Man was as well. In fact, it is Cal who holds the record for most career home runs as an Oriole with 431, 88 more than Eddie Murray and 128 more than Boog Powell, the next two O’s on the list. Cal never won a home run championship, but his steady average of 23 round trippers a year added up to over 400 career blasts, quite a heady total for a guy who’s best known for his consecutive game record and superior defensive skills.

On September 2, 1999, Cal became one of the few ballplayers to reach the milestone of 400 home runs. The Devil Rays were in Camden Yards and Cal came to bat in the bottom of the third to face Rolando Arrojo. The game was tied 2-2 and the Birds had two runners on. Cal worked the count 1 ball and 1 strike. On Arrojo’s third pitch, Cal came around and hit a long fly to deep left – a tie-breaking home run for career number 400. This is the uniform set Cal wore while making his entre to the 400 Career Home Club.

The home white jersey has “Orioles” across the chest in black and orange tackle twill script above his number “8”, which is in orange and black tackle twill. Sports Investors Authentication has provided an apparent photo match this jersey from Ripken’s 400th career home run. The collar, front and sleeve openings are ringed in black piping and an orange, black and white oriole bird patch is sewn on the left sleeve. The left front tail has a size 48 Russell Athletic label with a “2” EXTRA LENGTH” and “100% POLYESTER” hang tags and “1999” strip tag affixed below. The back has “RIPKEN” across the shoulders in black and orange tackle twill letters, and his number “8” is below, again in black and orange tackle twill. The jersey exhibits light toning from game use and the tackle twill shows some puckering from laundering. Cal has signed the front of the jersey in black marker, inscribing the significance of the piece with, “HR #400 9-2-99”

The jersey is accompanied by the matching pants Ripken wore that historic day. The white home pants have black piping down each leg. There are some scuffs and light staining throughout with the majority on the right rear seat. A Russell Athletic size 38 label is stitched inside the waistband and a hangtag with “100% POLYESTER” and white strip tag with “8 RIPKEN-37/40-34-99” is affixed adjacent. A flawless signature on the left thigh in black marker again marks the event for which it was worn, “HR #400.” This uniform set comes with a signed LOA from Cal Ripken, Jr. for the game use and a COA from Beckett Authentication, who witnessed Cal Ripken, Jr. signing these items. Additionally, there is a LOA from Sports Investors Authentication, who have provided a conclusive photo match of this jersey worn by Ripken during his 400th career home run.

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