Cal Ripken Jr. 1981 Rookie MLB Debut Signed Game Used Jersey Mears 10 Ripken LOA

This is the jersey that started Cal Ripken, Jr. on the road to Cooperstown. You could say that baseball is in the Ripken family’s DNA. Cal Sr. followed his brother Oliver from the sandlots to the semi-pro ranks, then went on to a long career in the Orioles farm system. Cal Sr. was managing in the minors when he and wife Vi had their first born, named Cal after his father. At the age of three he knew he wanted to be a ballplayer and by fifth grade, Junior knew the game as well as an adult. In high school he was already ensconced at his customary shortstop position, though he could also be counted on to pitch. As a senior, Cal struck out 17 as he pitched Aberdeen High to the Maryland State Championship. It was only natural that his Dad’s employer would be interested in this young phenom, and the Orioles drafted him in the second round of the 1978 draft. His first season in pro ball saw Cal struggling a bit, but his sophomore year showed what could be expected from him; a .303 average,