This is Cal Ripken’s 400th home run ball. The historic entre into the 400 Home Run Club could not have come in a more dramatic fashion. The Devil Rays and Orioles were tied 2-2 in Camden Yards. Tampa Bay starter Rolando Arrojo was on the mound and there were two Orioles on base. Cal took a strike and a ball. Arrojo’s third pitch was right in Cal’s sweet spot and he hit it 372 feet down the left field line. All of Camden Yards watched as the ball hugged the foul line, finally crossing the outfield wall in fair territory. The blast not only scored three and made it 5-2 Birds, but this was Cal’s 400th career home run which meant he had joined the exclusive club of which only the game’s greatest sluggers were part of.

This is the ball that skirted the left field line before landing fair for number 400. The Rawlings Official American League Gene A. Budig stamped ball shows great game use, with just the right amount of toning and scuffs you would expect to see on a home run ball. Best of all, Cal has signed the sweet spot in crisp blue ballpoint and the panel above has been inscribed with, “My 400th HR. Ball Sept 2, 1999 vs Tampa.” A one-of-a-kind piece of baseball history and an indelible part of the Iron Man’s legacy. This ball comes with a signed LOA from Cal Ripken, Jr. for the game use and a LOA from Sports Investors Authentication (201018A1), who have photo matched this ball to images of Ripken holding it at a press conference after the game. There is also a COA from Beckett Authentication, who witnessed Cal Ripken, Jr. signing this item.

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