For the eighth straight season, Hall of Famer and Iron Man Cal Ripken, Jr hit at least 20 home runs. Ripken finished his legendary career with 431 round-trippers and during the September 5th, 1989 game against the Cleveland Indians at Memorial Stadium in Baltimore. Ripken’s home run was hit off of Cleveland pitcher John Farrell in the top of the first inning. This is the very baseball hit by Cal Ripken, Jr. for his 20th home run of the 1989 season. As can be seen in the video below, Ripken hit this ball to deep center field and was tracked down by Indians center fielder Brad Komminsk, who actually caught the ball, but the momentum of him going towards and reaching over the wall forced his entire body to flip over the fence – thus it was correctly ruled a home run. This Official American League Bobby Brown stamped baseball shows outstanding game use with hit marks and fading of the blue stampings. Ripken has signed this ball in blue pen on the south panel and has been inscribed “Sept 5, 1989 20th HR 8 Straight Seasons” on the sweet spot. “John Farrell Clev” is also handwritten in blue pen on the north panel. This ball comes directly from the personal collection of Cal Ripken, Jr. and a signed LOA will accompany this baseball.

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