Grey Flannel's '97 Ripken Jersey

[hblakewolf]

I've been asked for my thoughts on the following "1997 Ripken game worn jersey" in the upcoming Grey Flannel auction:
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Lot #516: 1997 Cal Ripken, Jr. Baltimore Orioles Game-Used & Autographed Home Jersey (JSA)

(http://www.greyflannelauctions.com/Login.aspx?back=LotDetail3.aspx?lotid=18112&watchlot=true)

Playing his entire career 20 year career with the Baltimore Orioles, Cal Ripken, Jr. is considered one of the best shortstops to ever play the game. He earned the nickname "Iron Man," doggedly remaining in the lineup despite numerous minor injuries. He played in a record 2632 straight games spanning 16 seasons, from May 30, 1982 to September 20, 1998. His 2131st consecutive game on September 6, 1995 against the California Angels, breaking the 56-year-old record set by the original "Iron Horse" Lou Gehrig, the legendary New York Yankees first baseman. Ripken hit a home run in game 2130 and game 2131, moving fans to the point that his 2131st consecutive game was named Major League Baseball's "Most Memorable Moment" in MLB history. Ripken was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility in 2007. On the left front tail is the "RUSSELL" manufacturers tag with wash instructions and jersey size "50." Attached below is the "100% POLYESTER" flag tag with a "8-50-97" strip tag. Across the front is "ORIOLES" done in black on orange tackle twill. Player number "8" appears on front in orange on black tackle twill and on back in black on orange tackle twill. Player name "RIPKEN" appears on back in black on orange tackle twill on a white nameplate. On the left sleeve is the team "bird" patch and "Baltimore 200" patch. On the right sleeve is the "RUSSELL" embroidered logo with the "Jackie Robinson 50 Anniversary" patch above. There is an autograph on the back number done in silver marker rating an 8. The jersey shows game-use and appears to have no alterations of any kind. Accompanied by a LOA from JSA.

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I've sold a 1997 Ripken, and it had the folliwng tagging:

11223

Note that the Grey Flannel jersey has the year, but also uniform number and size included in the tag. Likewise, the size is 50, as compared to Ripken's usual size 48. Furthermore, the traditional "EXTRA LENGTH" tag normally found on Ripken's jerseys of this time frame is not present on the Grey Flannel jersey.

Can Mark, Bill or any other collector/dealer comment on the shirt in question, or possibly provide an example of another 1997 Orioles home jersey of another player or Ripken that has the same tagging as the shirt in question (uniform number/size/year)?

Any insight about the taging, and the shirt itself is greatly appreciated.

Howard Wolf
hblakewolf@patmedia.net (hblakewolf@patmedia.net)

[hblakewolf]

After comparing the Russell tag in the tail, my notes indicate that the tag on the home jersey is representative of a Russell tag used between the time frame of 1993-1995. 1997 tags traditionally have 5 lines of text, not 4 as found on earlier versions of tagging (1993-1995).

Any insight is appreciated.

Howard Wolf
hblakewolf@patmedia.net

[silkman22]

At first glance, the nameplate seems to be placed far too low on the back. I think that it should be higher up and be closer to the piping.

JP

[mvandor]

Hey, at least it's not green! :D

[Vintagedeputy]

Lampson says..............

THUMBS UP!

[ironmanfan]

When it comes to Ripken items, Louie takes the "Will Rogers" approach....He hasn't seen a Ripken item that he hasn't liked.

[hblakewolf]

When it comes to Ripken items, Louie takes the "Will Rogers" approach....He hasn't seen a Ripken item that he hasn't liked.

Based on your extensive knowledge of O's jerseys from this time frame, can you comment on the tagging and also the shirt itself?

Any insight is appreciated.

Howard Wolf
hblakewolf@patmedia.net

[ironmanfan]

Howard....based on the evidence you presented earlier, you were spot on with your observations. I have a '97 Alan Mills home/white jersey that I got from the Orioles with the proper tagging you described (let alone that I don't think that Cal would wear a size 50 even today!).

Looks like someone simply took a blank jersey and doctored this up (with wrong tagging, etc.). The jersey even has no wear....

You would think that after the "Standard of the Industry" were embarassed on the People's Court with that other phony "limo driver" Ripken, they would simply stay away from something they obviously know nothing of.

[bigtime59]

Bogus.
That font was used for the last half of 1996 only, and not by everyone.
The year tagging is wrong.
The nameplate is too low.
Cal did not wear a size 50 in 1997, although I have been told he did wear size 50 in 2001. (But I wouldn't bet the farm on that one, either.)
At least they got the patches right.

Next...

Mark
bigtime39@aol.com

[bigtime59]

Oh, and where is the extra length tag?

Mark
bigtime39@aol.com

[mr.miracle]

Bogus.
That font was used for the last half of 1996 only, and not by everyone.
The year tagging is wrong.
The nameplate is too low.
Cal did not wear a size 50 in 1997, although I have been told he did wear size 50 in 2001. (But I wouldn't bet the farm on that one, either.)
At least they got the patches right.

Next...

Mark
bigtime39@aol.com


Mark is all over this one and is completely correct. I have personally never seen a LEGIT Ripken game jersey in larger than a 48 but if Cal was ever ultra protective of his game used gear as we know he was, 2001 would be impossible to ever find I am guessing in terms of legit game worn items. I don't know if the HOF still has his 2001 gamer on display but they probably don't have the tagging showing even if they do.

I have said this before and I will say it again. If you see what is reported to be a game worn Ripken jersey for sale. There is probably about a 99% chance that it is fake. In all actuality, I don't honestly know when the last time at least probably 3 to 5 years that I have seen what could be described as a clean non questionable game worn Ripken jersey up for auction at a major auction house. Of the dozens that have hit the market over the past three or four years, every single one without fail has had major questions regarding its authenticity.

In general Ripken game used stuff has really died down the last six months as there have been very few legit bats, hats, anything hitting the market since the HOF induction last fall. I am sure it is just a matter of time until all the dirty dogs out there get their sewing machines running with their fake jersey's and recycled nameplates and tags in yet more attempts to flood the market with fake Ripken items.

Once again, Grey Flannel at its very finest when it comes to authentic game worn Ripken gear.

[Eric]

Ripken sold for $2772
http://www.greyflannelauctions.com/LotDetail3.aspx?lotid=18112