Cal Ripken, Jr. donned this uniform for the first Orioles game he didn’t play in since May 30, 1982, over 16 years earlier. Earlier that evening before the start of the final home game of the season, Cal approached manager Ray Miller and asked that his name be penciled out of the lineup. “I think the time is right” he said. Miller tapped rookie Ryan Minor to take Cal’s place in the lineup. Because of Ripken’s legendary streak, it took a while for Minor to be convinced he actually was playing and this was not some rookie prank. Out on the field, the visiting Yankees slowly noticed something was amiss when the Orioles legend did not take batting or fielding practice. Soon, the Camden Yards crowd began to realize that they were bearing witness to the end of an era.

After the first out was recorded and the game was officially in the books, the entire stadium - fans, teammates and opposing players - gave the Iron Man a standing ovation. The longest consecutive streak of games played had come to an end at 2,632. For over a decade and a half, Cal had played in all kinds of weather, on great teams and bad, through pain and injuries, good days and bad. For 2,632 games, Orioles fans knew one thing would be a constant in a game that is always unpredictable: Cal Ripken was going to be there and would be giving it his all.

As Cal sat in the dugout and watched his teammates lose to the Yankees 5-4, he knew he had set a record that would stand till the end of time. No player will ever come close to matching his achievement, for there is only one Iron Man.

This Orioles home white jersey and pants set were worn by Cal during that momentous game. The jersey has been photo matched by Resolution Photomatching to the September 20th, 1998 game and has “Orioles” across the chest in black and orange tackle twill script above his number “8” in the same colors with orange as the primary color. The collar, front and sleeve openings are ringed in black piping and an orange, black and white oriole bird patch is sewn on the left sleeve. The left front tail has a size 48 Russell Athletic label with a “2” EXTRA LENGTH” hang tag and “1998” strip tag affixed below. The back has “RIPKEN” across the shoulders in black and orange tackle twill letters on a matching white nameplate, and his number “8” is below in orange and black tackle twill. The jersey exhibits some scuffs and light toning from prior games and there is a more noticeable streaking seen on the left arm from the shoulder to the sleeve ending. The tackle twill shows puckering from laundering and there are loose threads found throughout. Cal has signed the front of the jersey in black marker, adding the poignant inscription, “9-20-98 I Got A Rest.”

The jersey comes with the matching pants Ripken wore that day. The white home pants have black piping down each leg and includes the black belt. There are some scuffs and light staining throughout from previous games. The left knee shows a significant stain along with a period clubhouse repair to the fabric. Other stains are found on the right hip and seat area. A Russell Athletic size 38 label is stitched inside the waistband and a hangtag with “H-CUT -1” WAIST” and white strip tag with “8 RIPKEN 37/40-34-98” is affixed adjacent. A perfect signature on the left thigh in black marker completes this historic uniform set. This jersey comes with a signed LOA from Cal Ripken, Jr. for the game use. There is also a LOA from Resolution Photomatching, who have photo matched the jersey to the September 20th, 1998 game. This item also comes with a COA from Beckett Authentication, who witnessed Cal Ripken, Jr. signing this item.