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.

Ripken was fast approaching the 400 career home run mark when he used this Louisville Slugger P72 to hit career home runs 397, 398 and 399 in July of 1999. Home runs 397 and 398 came in the same game on July 24th against the Anaheim Angels when he took Al Levine and Shigetoshi Hasegawa deep and then a day later homered off of Chuck Finley to come within one round-tripper of 400. As would be expected with a three-home run bat, this displays outstanding game use and has a crack on the handle. There are ball marks and white leather scuffs present on the barrel. Ripken has added a piece of athletic tape that wraps around the barrel and documented the home runs he hit with this bat by inscribing “HR’s (399) (398) (397)” in now faded black marker. This bat comes directly from the personal collection of Cal Ripken, Jr. and a signed LOA from Cal will accompany this bat. Additionally, there is a LOA from PSA/DNA (1B19747) for the game use and has been given the highest possible grade of GU 10.

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