This lot is closed. Bidding ended on 6/27/2002.
When the 2002 baseball season began, the sport was without one of it's most beloved players. After 21 seasons and 3,001 games Cal Ripken Jr. called it quits, leaving behind the game the he loved and the fans that loved him back. During the 2001 season when he announced that he would retire, he was greeted with a standing ovation as he played in each stadium for the last time. This bat was used by Cal and shows the 1998 labeling period. The 32.4 ounce, 35 inch P72 model Lousiville Slugger shows evidence of tremendous game use. There is heavy pine tar on the handle and ball and stitch marks are visible on the barrel. There is light grain separation to the reverse of the hitting area. Ripken has signed the bat in silver paint pen with a nearly flawless autograph. The bat is accompanied by documentation from the consignor who obtained it from Ripken at the 2002 Sports Illustrated baseball luncheon.