Shirts Off Our Back; Cal Ripken Jr. Style

[ironmanfan]

With the regular season winding down, I noted that the Orioles were once again having their "Shirts Off Our Back" promotion where during the last home series, every player gives their Game Worn uniform to a random fan.

It reminded me of a recent acquistion that I'd like to share, where I was fortunate enough to purchase a Game Worn Cal Ripken Jr. jersey from the fan (then only 11 years old) who rec'd it during this same promotion back in 2000.

The kid (who is now obviously 22) told me that as he entered Camden Yards that evening, he was approached by an Orioles employee and asked if he would like to go down on the field & win something. When he got to the field, all the kids were instructed to face the dugout and were told that one of the Orioles players would stand behind them & that would be the player whose jersey you would get (he was lucky that Cal chose him):



After the players "tried the jersey on the kids," they took the jerseys back to play in and were instructed that they would be mailed back to them in within a week. Needless to say within a few days, this kid rec'd a registered package from the Orioles (which I was given this padded envelope as well) that contained the jersey (signed), the "Thanks Fans" t-shirt the player wore underneath as well as an Orioles COA.

After obtained the jersey from the winner, I was able to show the jersey to Cal at the Ripken World Series last month (which I volunteer at annually), during one of the many rain delays, showed him all the provenance & asked him to please add the "2000 Game Used" inscription on it (keep in mind it was originally signed back in 2000).....He added it and subsequently told me that it was the very FIRST time he has added that inscription to any jersey, because he is aware of all the garbage in the hobby (which we discussed at length) & is extremely cautious of adding that inscription. He also showed me a couple small things on the jersey as well that I will look for in any future jersey I am offered..




The T-Shirt Cal wore underneath with his "snowman" 8 on the tag (note the round sticker on the t-shirt was the one the child wore on his own shirt that evening, noting him as a prize winner):



The jersey (size 50):




Thanks for letting me share one of the jewels of my collection...

Bill

whhp72@yahoo.com

[dcgreg25]

Thanks for sharing a great story and a great jersey with the forum. The pics are amazing! Seeing those kids on the field receiving the jerseys is pretty cool, especially with my son approaching that age. Congrats on the acquisition and the truly unique inscription.

[solarlottry]

Great story!!! It reminds me of the old days of collecting both jerseys and science fiction books, where you had to track people down who you knew had something you absolutely needed to add to the collection.

How did you find this kid is my question? I guess in the age of the internet everyone and anyone can be trcaked down. When you first approached him did he even want to sell? There are collectors out there I have known and been trying to buy things from for 20 years, but it is still hit or miss. In fact since the SF Giants won the WS it has opened up a # of these collectors to selling their 49ers shirts in order to buy Giants 2010 items!

It is an absolutely gorgeous jersey and one of a kind especially with the provenance, which to me and I am sure most of us, is priceless! Great score!!

Paul
Always buying 49ers jerseys
garciajones@yahoo.com

[Lokee]

Thanks for sharing brought a smile to my day

[ironmanfan]

Thanks for the kind words. The actual first year the Orioles did this was in 1988 (when they started the season 0-21). Back that year, during the final game of the year vs. New York, they posted names on the scoreboard of the winners and you were instructed to come onto the field right after the game and they presented you with your game used, signed jersey on the spot...Obviously, people who won were approached by collectors offering to purchase them immediately.

I obtained this Bill Ripken "Shirt Off Our Back" game used jersey from the person who purchased it from the initial winner in the Parking Lot of Memorial Stadium that September evening...

What's neat about it (other than the EBW initials on the sleeve) was that after Cal Ripken Sr. was fired as manager after only six games into the season, Bill Ripken couldn't stand the thought of anyone else wearing his father's # 7, so he switched from his # 3 to # 7....Looking close at this jersey in person, one can still see the faint outline of the original # 3..

[Shipp_96]

I met Cal Ripken Jr. at a book signing years ago. Took time out of the signing to pose for a picture with me and Billy while holding my book. PURE CLASS. One of the nicest and down to earth stars I have ever met. Jerry Rice is another. Legends that know how to treat their fans.

[emann]

Wow, both are beautiful jerseys, especially the '88 (love that style)! Actually, that '88 Billy Ripken looks similar to the one on the infamous Fleer card. Ever try to match it?

[shoremen44]

I am ALWAYS so jealous of your O's collection... Awesome!!!

[tknorm]

fantastic stories! thanks for sharing:-)

[ironmanfan]

Wow, both are beautiful jerseys, especially the '88 (love that style)! Actually, that '88 Billy Ripken looks similar to the one on the infamous Fleer card. Ever try to match it?

It's actually ironic that you mention that because that infamous card photo was actually taken @ Fenway Park, so the Orioles would be wearing their road jerseys, HOWEVER I do just happen to own a 1988 Billy road top that MAY just be that jersey he is wearing (the EBW memorial letters were added in mid August) on the card. I didn't mention this jersey originally, because it wasn't related to the "Shirts Off Our Back Promotion" topic I started, however this one too has the remnants of the original "3" on the front & back...For years this particular jersey was loaned on display at the Ripken Museum in Aberdeen, MD....