Cal Ripken Jr 1981 Rookie Game Used Jersey Signed Earliest One Known PSA DNA COA

Cal Ripken Jr. is considered one of the best shortstops and third basemen to ever play the game. During his 21 year career with the Baltimore Orioles, Ripken pioneered the way for taller, larger shortstops to be successful in that position. A two-time MVP, 19-time All-Star and Rookie of the Year winner, Ripken Jr. was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2007 on the first ballot. The Orioles were planning to keep Ripken in the minor leagues through 1981, but with the need to improve in the second half of the 1981 season, they called him up on August 7. Ripken played just 23 games in his debut season. Offered here is a rare true rookie example from Ripken’s career. Ripken did not play a MLB game on the road until August 19th, when he pinch hit and recorded his first hit on the road as an Oriole. This likely is the jersey he wore that day. Inside the rear collar is the Wilson manufacturers tag size “44” with washing instructions. On the front left tail is a strip tag rea