The legendary shortstop Cal Ripken, Jr. played his final MLB season in 2001, ending a career that saw him collected over 3,000 hits and 431 home runs. Ripken, baseball’s all-time leader in consecutive games started, played in his 19th All-Star Game in 2001, hitting a home run off Chan Ho Park and earning All-Star Game MVP honors. In 2007, Ripken was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame on his first ballot, collecting 98.5% of the vote.

Offered here is the Rawlings Gold Glove Series model glove used by Ripken during his final season in the Majors and has been photo matched to the April 2nd, 2001 game by Sports Investors Authentication. The glove was constructed of Rawlings top grade “Heart of the Hide” tanned steer hide and is bound with tanned rawhide laces. The web is a pro-style single post double T-bar with a closed “Fastback” with finger “Holster” back and an adjustable wrist strap. The Rawlings red label with white lettering is on the wrist and “Cal Ripken Jr.” is embroidered in black along the outside thumb. The glove displays outstanding wear with substantial use being displayed in the pocket, face of the web and throughout the body. This glove comes directly from the personal collection of Cal Ripken, Jr. and a signed LOA from Cal will accompany this glove, along with a LOA from PSA/DNA for the game use. There is also a LOA from Sports Investors Authentication, who have photo matched this glove to the April 2, 2001 game. Additionally there is a plaque that accompanies this glove that was with this glove when on display at the Ripken Museum that reads “3rd BASE GLOVE – This glove was used by Cal Ripken, Jr. during the 2001 season and Sports Investors Authentication have photo matched it to 4/2/2001; the final season of his 21-year Major League career. When Cal first moved back to third base and switched to the larger glove, he affectionately named it “humongous.””

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