This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/1/2012
Cal Ripken Jr.'s greatness was readily apparent in his first full year as a big leaguer in 1982. Ripken proceeded to hit 28 home runs and 93 RBIs on his way to the "Rookie of the Year" award at the age of 22. Ripken had come a long way since the previous season, 1981 where he only saw action in 21 games. Offered here is a extraordinary 1981 Baltimore Orioles road knit jersey worn by the hall-of-famer Cal during his first moments in the Major Leagues. The grey button-down garment features "Orioles" across the chest in orange-on-black tackle twill and Ripken's number "8" sewn on the left chest and back in like fashion. The neck of the jersey has a Wilson manufacturer's size 44 main label, and a panel with "80 1" chainstitched in black can be found on the left front tail. The plated name-on-back appears on the back in orange-on-black tackle twill. Although this jersey bears an "80" year designation, the nameplate is indeed vintage to 1981 and not a later, more modern change. This is not uncommon for rookies in that era to get a previous model jersey's in an attempt to save money on unknown prospects. The jersey shows definite game use and appears to exhibit no alterations. Ripken has signed the jersey on the lower front tail in black marker. This is an incredible piece of Ripken memorabilia and could possible be his first road big league jersey ever issued! LOA from PSA DNA with Autograph Grade 9 and a LOA from Grey Flannel.