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  1. #1

    Cal Ripken Jr Batting Records

    Hello Mike, Jim,
    Thanks for donating your time to the forum to provide this great service. I have been told that Cal ordered a LVS model M253 but have never been able to locate one.

    Can you confirm that he did actually order this model and qtys?

    Secondly, I have two bats, a S2 and a C300 which Cal also was supposed to have ordered but I have no confirmation. I heard the S2's were used in spring training and for promotional pictures.

    Can you please confirm or deny that he ordered these models?

    Thanks in advance,

    Dan (ripkengamers@aol.com)

  2. #2
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    Re: Cal Ripken Jr Batting Records

    Hi Dan -

    A review of Cal Ripken's H & B factory records between the dates of 10/30/78 and 6/26/01 indicates the following:

    Ripken received one order of Model M253 bats totaling 11 bats that were 35 inches in length and 33 ounces in weight. The order was shipped on 4/12/86. No other orders of this model are documented as having been sent to Ripken for professional use or to any promotional company, including Baseball Promotions or Baseball Miscellaneous. If a M253 Ripken Jr. bat matches the length cited and exhibits game use, and matches the labeling period, it is a rare Ripken professional model bat.

    Only three shipments of Ripken signature Model S2 bats are documented in H & B factory records. All appear to be promotional bats as they were sent to Baseball Miscellaneous and Baseball Promotions with lengths shorter that Ripken gamers and no specific weight requested. Those orders were shipped on 1/13/86 (Hickory finish / 34 inches / 0 ounces / 1 bat), 2/9/90 (Flame Tempered / 34 inches / 0 ounces / 3 bats), and again on 2/9/90 (Flame Tempered / 33 inches / 0 ounces / 6 bats).

    There is no documented evidence that any Model C300 Ripken signature bats were manufactured or sent to Ripken for his professional use or any promotional company, Baseball Promotions, Baseball Miscellaneous, etc.

    These records only go to 6/26/01 , about four months short of his last professional game, and do not include the many orders of Ripken promotional bats manufactured after his playing career ended.

    Good Luck in future collecting.

    Mike

  3. #3
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    Re: Cal Ripken Jr Batting Records

    What about a 1985 Blonde Louisville Slugger P72?

    Thank you for all your time,

    Nate

  4. #4
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    Re: Cal Ripken Jr Batting Records

    Forum readers-
    I have a blond S188 from 1998 or 1999. How rare is this model?

    Thanks.
    Howard Wolf
    hblakewolf@patmedia.net

  5. #5
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    Re: Cal Ripken Jr Batting Records

    Hi Howard and Nate --

    Here is the info you are looking for based on a review of Ripken's H & B factory records:

    Howard -- The first documnted order of Model S188 bats sent to Cal Ripken Jr for his professional use occurred on 2/23/90 which consisted of 18 bats, no finish (blonde) 35 inches in length and 33 ounces in weight. Two subsequent orders in June, 1990 totaling 24 bats were sent to him that also had no finish (blonde) and measured 35 inches and weighed 32 ounces. There were also two orders of S188 that had a black finish which do not match your bat -- 12 of these were cupped, and 12 were not. Both of those orders also measured 34 1/2 inches and weighed 31 or 32 ounces. No further orders of Model S188 are documented in Ripken's factory records until 1999 when 3 orders of no finish (blonde) bats totaling 46 bats were shipped to him, all 35 inches and 33 ounces. There is no documentation that any Ripken Model S188 bats were ever sent to any promotional company or other miscellaneous destination during his career -- all were sent to Ripken for his professional use.

    Nate -- Regarding a blond 1985 Model P72 Ripken bat, documentation exists that only one order matching that description was sent to Ripken for his professional use in 1985, totaling 18 bats that were 35 inches in length and weighed 33 ounces. Other Model P72 bats sent to Ripken in 1985 for professional use had a Walker finish (black with a white handle). Unfortunately , a significant number of Model P72 Ripken bats (Flame Tempered) were distributed in 1985 for promotioal purposes, including some that were 35 inches / 33 ounces. Thus, for P72 Ripken bats in 1985 (actually in all labeling periods) you must go beyond the model and dimensions and look for specific Ripken game use characteristics and the provenance of the specific bat, due to the many promotional bats made throughout his career, often in dimensions that matched his professional model bats.

    Good luck in future collecting.

    Mike

  6. #6
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    Re: Cal Ripken Jr Batting Records

    Hi Mike,
    I have a Ripken H&B M159 Hickory finished game used bat. The labeling period is between 1981 & 1983. Do you know when and how many of these Cal ordered?

    Thanks,
    John

  7. #7
    Senior Member Yankwood's Avatar
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    Re: Cal Ripken Jr Batting Records

    If it's any help to you, at one time I had 2 M159 models that he used in Rochester with the Red Wings and that was 1981.

  8. #8
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    Re: Cal Ripken Jr Batting Records

    Hi John --

    Between 1981 and 1983 Cal Ripken Jr. primarily ordered Model P72 and Model M159 bats for professional use. His orders during that period were, in order of frequency,for hickory finish, Walker finish, or flame tempered.

    Hickory finished Model M159 bats were shipped to Ripken for his professional use as follows between 1981 and 1983:

    3/19/81 35 inches / 34 ounces (6 bats)
    8/6/81 35 / 34 (6) sent to Rochester
    9/2/81 35 / 34 (12)
    2/12/82 35 / 34 (15)
    4/19/82 35 / 34 (12)
    6/21/82 35 / 34 (12)
    4/25/83 35 / 34 (12)

    Also note that on 10/20/81 one order of eighteen Ripken Model M159 hickory finished bats, 35 inches and 34 ounces, were sent to "Baseball Miscellaneous." As there was a specific weight requested and the length, weight, finish, etc matches Ripken's known orders, it is possible that they were requested for a specific event, such as a post-season tour or other event that was co-ordinated through Major League Baseball.

    Good Luck in future collecting.

    Mike

  9. #9
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    Re: Cal Ripken Jr Batting Records

    Thanks Mike!!

  10. #10

    Re: Cal Ripken Jr Batting Records - YOUNG BATS

    Mike, JIm,
    I'm hoping to finally clear the air on Cal Ripken Jr. game used Young bats. I've seen a few on major auction sites and another just showed up on ebay.

    http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...MEWA%3AIT&rd=1

    I've heard that Cal never used Young bats during the actual season and may have used them in spring training.

    Can you please close the book on this for me?

    Thanks,

    Dan (ripkengamers@aol.com)

 

 

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