Baseball Hall of Famer Cal Ripken Jr. is auctioning off some of his prized possessions. The Iron Man will donate proceeds from the auctions to the Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation.
Among the items up for grabs are his first little league uniform and memorabilia celebrating his 3,00th hit, his 4,000th home run and his 2,131-game streak, among others.
“Over the last year I have had the chance to explore my collection and it amazed me how many unique items I was able to compile throughout my career,” Ripken said.
This year was particularly meaningful as it was the 25th anniversary of him breaking the record for the most consecutive games played. That happened when Ripken played 2,131 consecutive games on Sept. 6, 1995.
“With the celebration of the 25th anniversary of 2131 still fresh in my mind, I thought this would be a great time to share some of them with other collectors and lovers of baseball,” Ripken said in a statement about his auction items. “It will also raise funds for our work with kids under the foundation named for my Dad.”
The Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation gives back to at-risk youth through programs like summer camps and the Badges for Baseball initiative.
Goldin Auctions, a New Jersey-based auctioneer focused on sports memorabilia, is coordinating the sales.
“It is an honor to get the opportunity to work once again with Cal Ripken Jr.,” Goldin Auctions Founder and CEO Ken Goldin said. “He is one of the most loved and important icons in American sports history and his on and off the field accomplishments are second to none. The bidders are in for a treat.”
According to Goldin, the core collection will debut Oct. 12.
Already, a 1997 Chevy Tahoe is being auctioned that was gifted to Ripken by the Orioles after he played his 2,131st game and broke Lou Gehrig’s record. Along with the Tahoe, the winning bidder will get a personal Zoom session with Ripken, signed bats, signed baseballs and other swag.
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