CAL RIPKEN JR. - BASEBALL (GAME USED) SIGNED CIRCA 1995 - HFSID 266382

CAL RIPKEN, JR.
Baseball used during the Hall of Famer's 2,131st consecutive game, voted "Baseball's Most Memorable Moment"
Baseball signed: "Cal Ripken Jr." Rawlings Official American League "Gene A. Budig" baseball. On September 6, 1995, at Baltimore's Oriole Park at Camden Yards, Cal Ripken, Jr. surpassed Lou Gehrig's record of 2,130 consecutive games played. The celebration of that milestone achievement, culminating in Ripken's "victory lap" around the stadium, was BASEBALL'S MOST MEMORABLE MOMENT as selected by more than 1.1 million fans in balloting sponsored by MasterCard and announced by Major League Baseball before Game 4 of the 2002 World Series. The milestone by the Baltimore Orioles' shortstop received 282,821 votes. The excitement and emotions generated on that evening also helped ease the pain of the 1994-1995 players' strike and greatly restored the National Pastime's tarnished image in the heart's of many fans. To further commemorate that historic event, Rawlings provided specially designed game balls which were used only during Ripken's record tying and record breaking games. This baseball was used during Ripken's record setting 2,131st game and features the special Ripken "#8" commemorative logo printed on the side panel. Cal Ripken Jr. has signed the ball in blue ink directly below the special logo. This baseball was originally obtained directly FROM THE PERSONAL COLLECTION OF MAJOR LEAGUE UMPIRE DAVE PHILLIPS and is accompanied by a one-page typed signed Letter of Authenticity from him attesting to its provenance. In part: "I do attest that this is an Official American League ball that was used on 9/6/95, during the game in which Cal Ripken broke Lou Gehrig's record by playing in his 2,131st consecutive game. I obtained this ball directly from someone in the clubhouse." Phillips was an American League umpire from 1970-2000. Ripken retired after the 2001 season and will enter the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2007. The ball displays appropriate game use throughout, including some minor soiling. Two items.