This lot is closed. Bidding ended on 5/11/2001.
Cal Ripken Jr. was six years into his record consecutive-games-played streak, with another 10 years to go before he finally sat after 2,632 games. He won the American League MVP in ‘83 and the next year set a record for assists by a shortstop. His ‘88 numbers saw him hit .264 with 23 home runs and deliver 81 RBIs, putting him well on his way to the career milestones he would reach in 1999 of 400 home runs and 1,200 RBIs. On the inside lower left of the 1988 Oriole home knit jersey is the "Rawlings" label with the size "48" and adjacent is the flag tag reading "Set 1 1988." Under this is a label with the letter "T" in black Swiss embroidered stitch denoting custom tapering. Below the Rawlings label is the "2 Inch Extra Length" label. Across the front is the name "Orioles" in script style letters and on the back is a white nameplate with the name "Ripken." The player number "8" appears on both the left breast and on the back of the jersey. All the letters and numbers are made of orange on black tackle twill. On the left sleeve are black letters "EBW" commemorating the death of owner Edward Bennett Williams. The jersey shows good game-use and appears to have no alterations of any kind.