On August 1, 1994, Cal Ripken, Jr. edged closer to Lou Gehrig’s 2,130 consecutive games streak by reaching the 2,000 mark against the Minnesota Twins. What was once thought as the unreachable streak of catching Gehrig, was increasingly becoming more inevitable. Only the Player’s Strike of 1994 that ended the 1994 regular season in mid-August, which ultimately canceled the World Series as well and the threat of replacement players to start the 1995 season, would serve as a potential roadblock. Offered here is the very bat used by Ripken during his 2000th consecutive game played on August 1, 1994. This offered Orioles cap is an all-black wool model from New Era. This size 7 3/8 cap has a six-panel crown with the Orioles oriole logo embroidered in orange, black and white stitching. The underside brim is gray with Ripken’s number “8” handwritten in black marker and “2000th Consecutive Game” handwritten in blue marker to the left of the “8”. The back of the cap has the MLB logo patch embroidered in Orioles colors and the inside sweatband has the New Era 59/50, Authentic Diamond Collection and size 7 3/8 tags. This hat displays moderate use with some soil stains present and Ripken has signed this cap in silver marker on the top brim. This comes directly from the personal collection of Cal Ripken, Jr. and a signed LOA from Cal will accompany this historic hat.

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