Auction Prices Realized
In this section, you will find auction prices realized for memorabilia related to Cal's Minor League teams. If you have a link for an auction that is not posted, please feel free to send the link to ripkenintheminors@hotmail.com and the information will be posted. In the area of ungraded cards and/or unauthenticated memorabilia, whether the auction price is posted or not will be on a case by case basis.
1980 WBTV Charlotte O's Team Issue Prices Realized
Card Status: SGC 84
Auction: Huggins and Scott
Final Price: $1,400 before commission (15%)
Date of Sale: October 4, 2006
Note: This auction also included the remaining 27 cards of the blue set.
Card Status: BVG (Beckett) 6
Auction: Ebay 120058614068
Final Price: $529.00
Date of Sale: December 5, 2006
Note: This card had the following subgrades: Centering (9.5), Corners (5), Edges (7.5), Surface (8.5)
Card Status: PSA 7
Auction: Ebay 250078450923
Final Price: $1,200
Date of Sale: February 3, 2007
Note: This auction also included the remaining 27 cards of the blue set. The remaining cards were listed as being in NRMT-MT condition.
Card Status: PSA 5
Auction: Huggins and Scott
Final Price: $750 before commission (15%)
Date of Sale: March 8, 2007
Note: This auction only included the Ripken card.
Card Status: Complete WBTV set
Auction: Ebay 110102272837
Final Price: $911.99
Date of Sale: March 18, 2007
Note: Sold as a raw (ungraded) set, all of the cards were listed as being in EX/NM condition.
Card Status: PSA 4
Auction: Ebay 190093419826
Final Price: $625.00
Date of Sale: March 19, 2007
Note: The card had a Buy it Now of $845.00 and was sold as a Best Offer.
Card Status: 1980 WBTV set with 18 signed cards (including Ripken).
Auction: Ebay 270112008242
Final Price: $721.67
Date of Sale: April 26, 2007
Note: This set was sold unauthenticated with a note that the set was signed at a home game in Nashville during the 1980 season. Including the signed card of Cal, this set included the following signed cards: Pensiero, Dan Ramirez, Willie Royster, John Shelby, Don Welchel, Cat Whitfield, Jimmy Williams,Tommy Smith on Larry Anderson card, Buffamoyer, Carey, Denman, Eaton, Fabrizio,Will George, Hazewood, Huppert, Minnie Mendoza.
Card Status: 1980 WBTV set with PSA 7 Ripken
Auction: American Memorabilia
Final Price: $835.00
Date of Sale: September 20, 2007
Card Status: 1980 WBTV set minus 2 cards
Auction: Ebay 180170041590
Final Price: $87.75
Date of Sale: October 22, 2007
Note: This lot included all of the cards of the 1980 WBTV set with the exception of the cards of Cal Ripken, Jr. and Dave Huppert.
Card Status: SGC 84
Auction: Ebay 310023316808
Final Price: $711.09
Date of Sale: February 20, 2008
Card Status: PSA 5
Auction: Ebay 250224596976
Final Price: $600.00
Date of Sale: March 17, 2008
Note: The card was listed with a Buy it Now of $875 and was sold as a Best Offer.
Card Status: PSA 8
Auction: Huggins and Scott April 2008
Final Price: $1,700 ($1,955 after 15% commission)
Date of Sale: April 2008
Card Status: PSA 8
Auction: Ebay 170244569900
Final Price: $1,933.00
Date of Sale: August 3, 2008
Note: This card had the new flip PSA switched to in January 2008.
Card Status: 1980 WBTV set with 18 signed cards (including Ripken).
Auction: Ebay 260311512868
Final Price: $1,825.00
Date of Sale: November 17, 2008
Note: This was the same lot of cards that sold on April 26, 2007, for $721.67 (Ebay 270112008242). In this auction, all of the signed cards had been authenticated by JSA and were in BGS slabs. To view the signed cards from the auction, visit our link at http://www.ripkenintheminors.com/dovey1980charlotteset.htm
Card Status: Signed 1980 WBTV Ripken graded BGS 8 with autograph grade of 8
Auction: Ebay 290285787902
Final Price: $2,551.09
Date of Sale: January 4, 2009
Card Status: 1980 WBTV set with 14 signed cards (including Ripken).
Auction: Ebay 290331801757
Final Price: $2,425.00
Date of Sale: July 22,2009
Note: The cards in this lot were signed the night of the WBTV set giveaway. This was the same lot of cards featured in an interview with Clark Groce. To read the interview about the cards, please visit http://www.ripkenintheminors.com/intclarkgroce.htm
Card Status: PSA 8
Auction: Ebay 350229004543
Final Price: $1,500.00
Date of Sale: July 26,2009
Note: The auction included the remaining cards in the set.
Card Status: PSA 8
Auction: Huggins and Scott December 2009
Final Price: $2,400 ($2,760 after 15% commission)
Date of Sale: December 9, 2009
Note: This card had the new flip PSA switched to in January 2008.
Card Status: Signed 1980 WBTV Ripken graded BGS 8 with autograph grade of 8
Auction: Ebay 220523160030
Final Price: $3,500
Date of Sale: December 9, 2009
Note: The card was listed with a $5,000 Buy it Now and sold as a Best Offer. The seller stated that his aunt had the card signed by Cal the night the WBTV set was given away at Crockett Park on May 30, 1980.
Card Status: Raw
Auction: Ebay 120694959866
Final Price: $405.01
Date of Sale: March 14, 2011
1980 Charlotte O's Cal Ripken Jr Police Prices Realized
Card Status: SGC 80
Auction: Huggins and Scott
Final Price: $2,300 before commission (15%)
Date of Sale: October 4, 2006
Card Status: PSA 5
Auction: Ebay 180015498373
Final Price: $2,025.01
Date of Sale: August 13, 2006
Card Status: PSA 6 (MK Designation)
Auction: Ebay 180019104784
Final Price: $1,236.00
Date of Sale: August 23, 2006
Card Status: PSA 5 (MK Designation)
Auction: Ebay 180028833159
Final Price: $722.00
Date of Sale: September 21, 2006
Card Status: PSA 6
Auction: American Memorabilia
Final Price: $2,167.00
Date of Sale: September 20,2007
Card Status: Raw
Auction: Sold outside auction houses
Final Price: $2,650.00
Date of Sale: June 2009
Notes: The card was eventually graded as a BGS 5.5
Card Status: PSA 4
Auction: Ebay Buy It Now
Final Price: $2,495
Date of Sale: September 26, 2012
Card Status: PSA 3
Auction: Ebay Buy It Now
Final Price: $2,000
Date of Sale: January 16, 2013
Card Status: PSA 2
Auction: Ebay Auction 111094972988
Final Price: $2,495
Date of Sale: June 11, 2013
Card Status: PSA 5
Auction: Ebay Buy It Now
Final Price: $6,500
Date of Sale: June 29, 2013
Notes: The card included 17 singles from the 1980 Charlotte O's Police set.
Card Status: PSA 6
Auction: Sold outside auction houses
Final Price: Unknown
Date of Sale: July 1, 2013
Notes: The card was originally listed as a Buy It Now for $29,999.99. The card received 4 offers before being pulled to be sold privately. The card is the same card sold by American Memorabilia in 2007.
Card Status: PSA 4
Auction: Huggins and Scott
Final Price: $11,850 (after commission)
Date of Sale: October 11, 2013
Notes: The first Ripken Police card to break the $10,000 mark.
Card Status: PSA 5
Auction: Ebay 281223026048
Final Price: $15,000
Date of Sale: December 14, 2013
Card Status: BVG 8
Auction: Huggins and Scott
Final Price: $22,515 (after commission)
Date of Sale: February 14, 2014
Notes: The February 2014 Huggins and Scott auction featured an entire 1980 Charlotte O's Police set. The set was broken down in three auction lots: 1) Ripken, 2) Pepper Girls (PSA 7) and 3) The remaining 23 cards.
Card Status: PSA 2
Auction: Ebay 380851075601
Final Price: $6,100
Date of Sale: March 6, 2014
Card Status: PSA 5
Auction: Ebay 380866434854
Final Price: $12,300
Date of Sale: March 25, 2014
Card Status: PSA 4
Auction: Small Tradtions April 2014 Spring Premium Auction Lot #3
Final Price: $13,479.15 (after commission)
Date of Sale: May 4, 2014
Card Status: BVG 4.5
Auction: Huggins & Scott
Final Price: $7,110.00 (after commission)
Date of Sale: October 10, 2014
Card Status: PSA 5
Auction: Ebay 381030735655
Final Price: $11,600.00
Date of Sale: October 30, 2014
Card Status: BVG 8
Auction: Ebay 281487612811
Final Price: $20,000 (Best Offer Accepted)
Date of Sale: December 13, 2014
Notes: This was the same card sold (BVG serial number 0007167119) in February 2014 by Huggins and Scott.
Card Status: PSA 4
Auction: Huggins and Scott
Final Price: $5,078.75 (after commission)
Date of Sale: April 9, 2015
Notes: The April 2015 Huggins and Scott auction featured 24 of 25 cards of the 1980 Charlotte O's Police set. The set was broken down in two auction lots: 1) Ripken, 2) 23 card lot (missing the Pepper Girls) that sold for $507.88 after commission.
1980 Charlotte O's Police Singles/Lots Prices Realized
Card Status: Lot of 20 singles with no duplicates
Auction: Ebay 180025202787
Final Price: $263.88
Date of Sale: September 11, 2006
Notes: Cards included in this lot were as follows: Edwin Neal, Minnie Mendoza, Jimmy Williams, Luis Quintana, Tommy Eaton, Tommy Smith, Drungo Hazewood, Cat Whitfield, John Shelby, Jose Gonzales, Russ Pensiero, Larry Anderson, Billy Presley, John Buffamoyer, Don Welchel, Doc Cole, Willie Royster, Dan Ramirez, John Denman and Brooks Carey
Card Status: Lot of 17 singles with no duplicates
Auction: Ebay 180031032137
Final Price: $250.18
Date of Sale: September 27, 2006
Notes: Cards in this lot were as follows: Drungo Hazewood, Don Welchel, Tommy Eaton, Willie Royster, Minne Mendoza, Doc Cole, Tommy Smith, Jimmy Williams, Cat Whitfield, Jose Gonzales, Edwin Neal, Brooks Carey, John Buffamoyer, Larry Anderson, Russ Pensiero, Billy Presley and Luis Quintana.
Card Status: PSA 7 Pepper Girls
Auction: Huggins and Scott
Final Price: $1,659.00 (including commission)
Date of Sale: February 13, 2014
Notes: The February 2014 Huggins and Scott auction featured a complete 1980 Charlotte O's Police set. The set was sold in three lots: 1) BVG 8 Ripken ($22,515.00), 2) PSA 7 Pepper Girls ($1,659.00), and 3) The remaining 23 cards ($1,540.50). Combined, the set sold for $25,714.50.
Card Status: 23 card lot
Auction: Huggins and Scott
Final Price: $1,540.50 (including commission)
Date of Sale: February 13, 2014
Notes: The February 2014 Huggins and Scott auction featured a complete 1980 Charlotte O's Police set. The set was sold in three lots: 1) BVG 8 Ripken ($22,515.00), 2) PSA 7 Pepper Girls ($1,659.00), and 3) The remaining 23 cards ($1,540.50). Combined, the set sold for $25,714.50
Card Status: 24 card lot (Including a PSA 5 Ripken)
Auction: Ebay 271561745024
Final Price: $10,200.00
Date of Sale: August 7, 2014
Notes: This lot featured the 23 card lot from the February 2014 Huggins and Scott auction and a PSA 5 Ripken. This lot featured 24 of the 25 cards from the 1980 Charlotte O's Police set (missing the Pepper Girls). The 23 cards featured the following grades: Billy Presley NM 7, Brooks Carey NM/MT 8, Cat Whitfield NM+ 7.5, Dan Ramirez VG/EX 4, Dave Huppert NM 7, Doc Cole EX 5, Don Welchel EX/MT 6, Drungo Hazewood VG/EX 4, Edwin Neal EX 5, Jimmy Williams EX 5, John Buffamoyer EX/MT 6, John Denman VG/EX 4, John Shelby EX 5, Jose Gonzales EX/MT 6, Kurt Fabrizio NM/MT 8, Larry Anderson NM 7, Luis Quintana EX/MT 6, Minnie Mendoza EX/MT 6, Russ Pensiero NM 7, Tommy Eaton EX/MT 6, Tommy Smith NM 7, Will George NM/MT 8, Willie Royster NM/MT 8
1981 TCMA Rochester Red Wings Prices Realized
Card Status: SGC 88 Rochester TCMA Ripken & SGC 88 WTF Ripken
Auction: Huggins and Scott
Final Price: $700 before commission (15%)
Date of Sale: October 4, 2006
Notes: The $700 sale price was for both Ripken cards and the rest of the team sets.
Card Status: BGS 9 Rochester TCMA Ripken
Auction: Ebay 170043075125
Final Price: $349 (Auction ended through Buy it Now)
Date of Sale: October 25, 2006
Notes: Qualifiers on the card were as follows: Centering (9), Corners (9), Edges (9.5) and Surface (9)
Card Status: BGS 9.5 Rochester TCMA Ripken
Auction: Ebay 180047988149
Final Price: $800 (Auction had a $1,000 Buy it Now but was closed on a Best Offer of $800)
Date of Sale: November 12, 2006
Notes: All qualifiers on the card were a 9.5
Card Status: BGS 9.5 Rochester TCMA Ripken
Auction: Ebay 220049558491
Final Price: $550 (Auction Ended through Buy it Now)
Date of Sale: November 15, 2006
Card Status: PSA 7 Rochester TCMA Ripken
Auction: Ebay 130046461351
Final Price: $210.50
Date of Sale: November 17, 2006
Card Status: PSA 9 Rochester TCMA Ripken
Auction: Ebay 290057147244
Final Price: $230.50
Date of Sale: December 5, 2006
Card Status: GAI 8.5 Rochester TCMA Ripken
Auction: Ebay 180058624266
Final Price: $142.83
Date of Sale: December 11, 2006
Card Status: SGC 80 Rochester TCMA Ripken
Auction: Ebay 120062453797
Final Price: $117.51
Date of Sale: December 14, 2006
Card Status: BGS 9.5 Rochester TCMA Ripken
Auction: Ebay 180047988149
Final Price: $950 (Auction had a $1,119.99 Buy it Now but was closed on a Best Offer of $950)
Date of Sale: December 26, 2006
Notes: All qualifiers on the card were a 9.5
Card Status: PSA 9 Rochester TCMA Ripken
Auction: Ebay 180066294817
Final Price: $208.50
Date of Sale: December 27, 2006
Card Status: PSA 9 Rochester TCMA Ripken
Auction: Ebay 190072974527
Final Price: $225.01
Date of Sale: January 22, 2007
Card Status: BGS 9 Rochester TCMA Ripken
Auction: Ebay 110081347191
Final Price: $322.80 (Auction had a $499.99 Buy it Now but was sold on the Best Offer)
Date of Sale: January 28, 2007
Notes: Qualifiers on the card were as follows: 9, 9, 9, 8.5
Card Status: BGS 9 Rochester TCMA Ripken
Auction: Ebay 260081613605
Final Price: $250.00 (Auction had a $500.00 Buy it Now but was sold on the Best Offer)
Date of Sale: January 30, 2007
Card Status: PSA 10 Rochester TCMA Ripken
Auction: Ebay 150096756288
Final Price: $499.00
Date of Sale: March 4, 2007
Card Status: BGS 8.5 Rochester TCMA Ripken
Auction: Ebay 250091028675
Final Price: $299.95
Date of Sale: March 5, 2007
Card Status: BGS 9.5 Rochester TCMA Ripken
Auction: Ebay 110102273078
Final Price: $660.00
Date of Sale: March 18, 2007
Notes: 3 of the 4 subgrades were a 9.5 with centering receiving a 9
Card Status: BGS 9.5 Rochester TCMA Ripken
Auction: Ebay 110102273078
Final Price: $660.00
Date of Sale: March 18, 2007
Notes: 3 of the 4 subgrades were a 9.5 with centering receiving a 9
Card Status: BGS 9 Rochester TCMA Ripken
Auction: Ebay 180105022072
Final Price: $350.00 (Sold as Buy it Now)
Date of Sale: April 8, 2007
Notes: All subgrades were a 9
Card Status: PSA 9 Rochester TCMA Ripken
Auction: Ebay 270110543158
Final Price: $287.00
Date of Sale: April 22, 2007
Card Status: PSA 9 Rochester TCMA Ripken
Auction: Ebay 120110667212
Final Price: $203.50
Date of Sale: April 25, 2007
Card Status: PSA 6 Rochester TCMA Ripken
Auction: Ebay 220106269089
Final Price: $65.27
Date of Sale: May 1, 2007
Card Status: PSA 10 Rochester TCMA Ripken
Auction: Ebay 330149499102
Final Price: $561.06
Date of Sale: July 29, 2007
Card Status: PSA 10 Rochester TCMA Ripken
Auction: Ebay 320139131628
Final Price: $557.69
Date of Sale: July 29, 2007
1981 WTF Rochester Red Wings Prices Realized
Card Status: PSA 7
Auction: Ebay 190031551323
Final Price: $182.50
Date of Sale: October 3, 2006
Card Status: SGC 88 WTF Ripken & SGC 88 Rochester TCMA Ripken
Auction: Huggins and Scott
Final Price: $700 before commission (15%)
Date of Sale: October 4, 2006
Notes: The $700 sale price was for both Ripken cards and the rest of the team sets.
Card Status: PSA 6
Auction: Ebay 280059889873
Final Price: $213.61
Date of Sale: December 18, 2006
Card Status: BGS 7.5
Auction: Ebay 180066294831
Final Price: $202.50
Date of Sale: December 27, 2006
Notes: The card had the following subgrades: Centering (9), Corners (7), Edges (8.5), Surface (8)
Card Status: PSA 9
Auction: Ebay 110102273191
Final Price: $1,924.00
Date of Sale: March 18, 2007
Card Status: PSA 7
Auction: Ebay 160102419174
Final Price: $270.00
Date of Sale: April 8, 2007
Card Status: PSA 9
Auction: Ebay 220106272908
Final Price: $294.99
Date of Sale: May 1, 2007
Card Status: Team Set with PSA 8 Ripken
Auction: American Memorabilia
Final Price: $261.00
Date of Sale: September 20, 2007
Card Status: Ungraded Checklist Card #20
Auction: Ebay 170158643437
Final Price: $30.99
Date of Sale: October 20, 2007
Card Status: Ungraded Checklist Card #20
Auction: Ebay 180169133090
Final Price: $35.00
Date of Sale: October 22, 2007
Card Status: Non-Ripken WTF card set (23 cards)
Auction: Ebay 170161032469
Final Price: $54.00
Date of Sale: October 27, 2007
Notes: This lot of cards included the complete set with the exception of the two Ripken related cards.
Card Status: PSA 7
Auction: Ebay 250221232887
Final Price: $137.50
Date of Sale: March 6, 2008
Card Status: PSA 9
Auction: Ebay 160213542095
Final Price: $515.00
Date of Sale: March 6, 2008
Card Status: SGC 98 (Gem Mint)
Auction: Ebay 180244735014
Final Price: $1,852.00
Date of Sale: March 29, 2008
Card Status: Uncut sheet of WTF cards
Auction: Ebay 200237957221
Final Price: $455.00
Date of Sale: July 16, 2008
Notes: The seller of the sheet claimed to be the publisher of the WTF cards. RITM did not attempt to contact Stephen Kozel to confirm that he was the seller of the sheet.
Card Status: BGS 6
Auction: Ebay 360110636792
Final Price: $152.50
Date of Sale: December 7, 2008
Card Status: Raw
Auction: Ebay 280615086031
Final Price: $207.50
Date of Sale: January 18, 2011
Card Status: Uncut sheet of WTF cards
Auction: Huggins and Scott
Final Price: $425.00 ($499.38 after commission)
Date of Sale: October 11, 2012
Notes: sheet did not include a COA.
Card Status: Uncut sheet of WTF cards
Auction: Huggins and Scott
Final Price: $275.00 ($323.12 after commission)
Date of Sale: June 13, 2013
Notes: sheet did not include a COA.
Card Status: Uncut sheet of WTF cards
Auction: Ebay Best Offer
Final Price: $500.00
Date of Sale: June 30, 2013
Notes: The sheet did not include a COA.
Additional Memorabilia Prices Realized
Item Status: 1981 Rochester Red Wings Game Used Team Signed Baseball
Auction: Leland's December 2004 Auction Lot 860
Final Price: $707.38 ($831.17 after buyer's premium)
Notes: Cal's signature was one of 25 signatures on the International League baseball. The auction listed the signatures as being a 9 overall on the "EX-MT and unblemished" baseball.
Item Status: 1981 Rochester Red Wings Game Used Team Signed Baseball
Auction: Leland's June 2005 Auction Lot 1447
Final Price: $863.06 ($1,014.10 after buyer's premium)
Notes: Cal's signature was one of 23 signatures on the ball.
Item Status: 1980 Charlotte O's Souvenir Program
Auction: Ebay 150044226151
Final Price: $105.45
Date of Sale: October 15, 2006
Notes: The program was listed as being in excellent condition by the seller who personally received the program at an O's game in 1980. The listing stated that there was a slight tear on one of the pages and some writing on the back of the program.
Item Status: 1981 Charlotte O's Souvenir Program
Auction: Ebay 150051082771
Final Price: $101.00
Date of Sale: November 1, 2006
Notes: This program was sold by the seller of the 1980 program listed above. The listing stated that the program was in excellent condition with sharp corners on the program. The only problem mentioned was a small wrinkle on the back cover.
Item Status: 1980's Charlotte O's game used cap
Auction: Ebay 180170041523
Final Price: $79.00
Date of Sale: October 22, 2007
Notes: The 7 3/8 cap was in outstanding condition and featured an autograph of Cal Ripken, Jr. on the bill of the cap. The name "JOE K" was written inside the cap. The cap was sold on behalf of someone that worked for the O's organization.
Item Status: Cal Ripken, Jr., 1981 Rochester road uniform
Auction: Robert Edwards Auctions Lot 1232
Final Price: $9,000
Date of Sale: May 3, 2009
Item Status: "The Longest Game" full ticket stub from April 18, 1981
Auction: Ebay 360165575116
Final Price: $350.00 (Auction ended as Best Offer)
Date of Sale: July 2, 2009
Notes: This ticket was slabbed authentic by PSA and given an "8" grade. At the time of the sale only 2 full tickets had received the "8" designation with no higher grades.
Item Status: 1981 Charlotte O's Souvenir Program
Auction: Ebay 350229017832
Final Price: $13.59
Date of Sale: July 26, 2009
Item Status: 1978 Bluefield Orioles Scorecard (Black & White)
Auction: Ebay 320515747717
Final Price: $45.44
Date of Sale: April 18, 2010
Item Status: April 18, 1981, "Longest Game" ripped ticket stub
Auction: Ebay Buy It Now
Final Price: $2,100
Date of Sale: January 18, 2013
Robert Edward Auctions presents Cal's 1981 Rochester road uniform
On May 3, 2009, Lot 1232 concluded for Cal Ripken Jr's 1981 Rochester Red Wings road uniform. The final bid was in the amount of $9,000. Below is the item description. For more information about REA, please visit http://www.robertedwardauctions.com/index.html
Rare and historically significant 1981 Rochester Red Wings road jersey worn by Cal Ripken Jr. during his final season in the minor leagues. Graded A10 by MEARS. While we cannot be certain, we believe this may be the earliest surviving Cal Ripken Jr. professional baseball jersey known to exist, as we have never seen or heard of an earlier example. If it's not, it's close! (Ripken only played four years in the minor leagues.) This jersey originates from a gentleman named Phil Tellgren, a longtime employee of the Rochester Red Wings, who was the team's visiting clubhouse manager in 1981. Accompanying the jersey is a letter from Tellgren detailing the jersey's history, as well as a separate one-page letter from the Rochester Red Wings, typed on official team stationery and signed by Wendy Morrissette, Director of Merchandising, confirming the fact that Tellgren "purchased an authentic Cal Ripken Rochester Red Wings Jersey during the 1981 season." In addition to the two letters, Tellgren has provided numerous other materials, including team photos, media guides, and copies of his league and press passes that corroborate his years of employment with the Red Wings.
The gray knit jersey is lettered "Rochester" across the front and features the number "5" (Ripken's uniform number while with Rochester) on both the left breast and the reverse. All letters and numbers are appliquéd in blue on white tackle twill.
Both a "Wilson 42" label and a "Jim Dalberth Sporting Goods" tag (local Rochester retailer) appear in the collar. The jersey is all original, with no alterations, and, as stated by MEARS in its accompanying letter, "exhibits optimal, perfect game wear." Furthermore, MEARS states that the jersey style has been photo matched to a 1981 minor-league baseball card of Cal Ripken Jr. picturing him as a member of the Rochester Red Wings. Included with the jersey are a pair of matching gray knit pants that were also obtained (at a later date) from Tellgren, and which are accompanied by a separate notarized letter from him. Located in the waistband of the pants are a "79" year tag, a "Wilson 34" label and a "Jim Dalberth Sporting Goods" tag. As noted in Tellgren's letter, these pants were issued in 1979, but as is the practice in the minor leagues, the pants were also used in subsequent seasons. Written in black laundry pen on the interior pocket is "Rip 5" along with two other crossed out numbers (jersey numbers of players who previously wore the pants; supporting the fact that these pants were worn by different players over the course of several seasons). The pants are all original, with no alterations, and display moderate wear, including light soiling on both legs. Tellgren states in his letter that players normally received three pairs of pants during the season, two for game use and one for batting practice. The batting practice pants were always the oldest and were normally heavily worn with many team repairs. The fact the offered pants are in good condition indicates that they were almost certainly a pair of Ripken's gamers during the 1981 season.
1981 was Ripken's only season with the Rochester Red Wings, Baltimore's Triple-A affiliate. Although he was just three years removed from high school, Ripken was the Orioles' number-one prospect and it did not take him long to impress Red Wings manager Doc Edwards. On April 21, following a game in which Ripken hit three home runs, Edwards returned to his office and sent a note to the Orioles brass. It simply read "Can't miss." Edwards obviously knew talent, as Ripken led the team in nearly every offensive category that summer including batting average (.288), home runs (23), and RBI (75). In a foreshadowing of things to come, Ripken also played in all 114 games for the Red Wings before being called up to the Orioles on August 8th. The memory of that day remains one of Ripken's most vivid memories. As he later recalled, "It was 2 a.m., and we'd just gotten off the bus from a game in Syracuse. Doc called me into his office and said, 'You're going up.' I said, See you later.'" When asked about that moment, years later, Edwards remembered it exactly as Ripken had, adding, "I knew he wouldn't be back." Edwards, of course, was right, as Ripken embarked on one of the greatest Major League careers in baseball history. A perennial All-Star for twenty-one seasons with the Orioles, Ripken is best remembered today for breaking in 1995 Lou Gehrig's long-standing record of consecutive games played. He is also one of only 27 players to have reached the 3,000 hit plateau and his 431 lifetime home runs ranks him among the top 50 all-time. He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2007 in his first year of eligibility. The jersey is graded A10 by MEARS. This is the only Cal Ripken Jr. minor league jersey and one of only ten gradable Cal Ripken Jr. jerseys listed in the MEARS census. It is also one of only four to merit a grade of A10. This is both an exceptional and extremely historic jersey dating from Ripken's final minor league season. LOA from Troy Kinunen/MEARS. Reserve $2,000. Estimate (open).