Midway through the 1997 season, Cal was batting just south of the .300 mark with 6 home runs when the fans voted him to the 15th of his 19 All-Star Game appearances. The Orioles star started the game and was 1 for 2 in the 3-1 AL win. Used during the Mid-Summer Classic, Cal’s Louisville Slugger P72 model bat shows awesome game use with a cracked handle. The barrel is covered with ball marks that include white leather scuffs and ink transfers. There are cleat imprints present and both ends shows dings and scuffs from contact with the ground. There is a moderate coat of pine tar present on the handle. A white sticker with “003.001.006” has been affixed to the barrel and a ring of adhesive tape to the left of the center brand has been inscribed with “ALL STAR GAME 97” in black marker. Cal has signed the barrel in strong silver marker, completing this All-Star gamer. This bat comes with a LOA from Cal Ripken, Jr. and PSA/DNA (1B19673) for the game use and has been graded a near-perfect GU 9.5 by PSA/DNA, plus a certificate from Beckett Authentication stating they witnessed Cal Ripken, Jr. signing this item. There is a LOA from Sports Investors Authentication, who have conclusively photo matched this bat to the 1997 All-Star Game. Additionally, there is a letter of opinion from Resolution Photomatching, while not having a conclusive photo match, have provided a probable or apparent photo match.

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