Cal Ripken bat on eBay

[sportscentury]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180016527222

What do folks think about this bat? I emailed the seller about the length and weight. He replied:

"Length 35 inches
Weight???? worth it in gold. Same as every other
professional model wood bat I guess...No way to
weight it accurately here."

This reply seemed straightforward enough to me (not everyone has a scale that weighs to the ounce). I hesitate because I'd like to know the weight and also because of the criss-cross tape. Does anyone have photos of Ripken using a bat with criss-cross tape? I've looked through my Rip photos and couldn't find one. I look forward to your observations/thoughts.

Reid

[ironmanfan]

Re: Cal Ripken bat on eBay

I have photographic evidence of Cal using bats with criss crossed tape (though I have to admit that taped bats were not the norm for Rip).

[sportscentury]

Re: Cal Ripken bat on eBay

Bill,

Thanks. What do you think of this bat? I am inclined to bid on it, though would still like to know the weight.

Thanks again.

Reid

[MSpecht]

Re: Cal Ripken bat on eBay

Hi Reid--

Here is some food for thought--

Ripken's 35 inch P72 models in 1986 - 1989 were in a variety of finishes, including Natural, walker, Flame treated/burned, Hickory, etc.... the photos seem to look like the bat is unfinished, which appear documented in his records from May 1989 to July 1988....48 bats in all.... P72 35'/33 oz.

There is no record of 35" "none' (no finish) P72 shipped to any promo company until Jan, 1990, when 48 went to Anaconda-Kaye.... more unfinished 35' P72 Ripkens went to various places other than to Cal from mid-1990 forward.

I like the photo evidence mentioned of the taping, and it is probably worth a call to the seller to see if he can provide any additional provenance like a xerox of his old photographers pass, a pic of him on the field, or smething like that...

Good Luck

Mike Jackitout7@aol.com

[sportscentury]

Re: Cal Ripken bat on eBay

Mike,

Thanks. So it sounds like it may match the factory records, depending on the weight. For the bats that went to Anaconda- Kaye, were they of the 1986-89 marking variety, or of the 1990 variety (with no Louisville Slugger under Rip's name), both, or is it impossible to know?

Thanks again,
Reid

[MSpecht]

Re: Cal Ripken bat on eBay

That is the "worth it's weight in gold" question, Reid, and there is no good way to tell on this one. 1986-1989 pro labeling was used into the mid-1990's for bats sent to some minor league teams, often with many of the players names that were sold top Anaconda Kaye during the period. As you know, 1986 to 1989 Louisville Sluggers demand thorough research and examination both for professional use and individual player game used characteristics. I would like to see the photo-referenced Ripken tap job mentioned above posted in this thread. Ripken was, as stated, not particularly known for taping, and that would lend alot od credibility to the bat in my opinion, as that would be a difficult thing to "manufacture" given the vintage condition of the tape, the pine tar overlap, etc.

Good Luck, Reid.

Mike Jackitout7@aol.com

[mr.miracle]

Re: Cal Ripken bat on eBay

Hello Reid:

For what it is worth, I know Alan the seller in this auction was indeed a photographer at Memorial Stadium during the mid to late 1980's. In fact I have seen a picture of him photographing on the sidelines at Memorial Stadium. I am sure he would be willing to show you a picture or two if you asked. Don't know if he has any old press passes but you might ask. I too questioned this bat specifically due to the tape job on the handle. Bill is right, there have been instances where Cal taped a handle I remember notebly on a Rochester Redwings 1981 P72 that sold at Edwards Auctions with a taped handle a couple months back. I was thinking perhaps this was more of a minor league/early career thing. If Bill has the photos of that I would feel better about this bat. Hope that helps. This is a great price for a Ripken if there are no problems with it.

Thanks
Brett Herman
brettherman2131@hotmail.com

[sportscentury]

Re: Cal Ripken bat on eBay

Mike and Brett,

Thanks very much - I agree on all points.
...............
Bill,

is there any way you could post the photo(s) you mentioned or email it/them to me at rgf2@hotmail.com?

Thanks to all of you.

Reid

[Yankwood]

Re: Cal Ripken bat on eBay

No bidders. I wonder if we all just missed out on a great buy.

[worldchamps]

Re: Cal Ripken bat on eBay

The main reason I didn't bid is no one else did....I felt like people knew something I didn't?????

Bill

[sportscentury]

Re: Cal Ripken bat on eBay

I think it's a nice bat. I just couldn't sink $900 into a bat that I wasn't certain of, though. I was about 90% okay with it. Someone will likely get a good deal, but this one is not for me.

Reid

[MSpecht]

Re: Cal Ripken bat on eBay

Ironmanfan --

Is there any chance you could scan for the forum or send me a file attachment of Ripken photo reference using the tape you mentioned in this thread? Thanks in advance ...

Mike Specht

Jackitout7@aol.com

[worldchamps]

Re: Cal Ripken bat on eBay

I can't tell for sure, but it kind of looks like tape on this bat???

[MSpecht]

Re: Cal Ripken bat on eBay

Thanks very much --- Great Photo...

Mike Jackitout7@aol.com

[mr.miracle]

Re: Cal Ripken bat on eBay

Thanks for a photo on this, the only thing that raises an an additional question for me and perhaps Mike or another forum reader that might have knowledge in general of players taping bats can answer this question.

1. Cal Ripken was not known for taping bats so this would make the ebay
bat or any Ripken taped game bat much more rare if authentic.

2. The photos in the auction clearly show a crisscrossed tape pattern
that is not solid taping up the handle.

3. The photo provided as difficult as it is to make out clearly seems to
show a solid tape pattern up the handle not criss crossed at all.

Players like Ken Griffey Jr. known for taping bats in a criss cross pattern I am assuming would generally not deviate from that pattern. Do players switch from one type of tape job to another as a general rule or are all of their bats consistent which would make one or the other of the Ripken bats even more of an anomoly? Since the photo of him holding what appears to be a solid taped P72 blond bat is proof that he taped some bats, would it be consistent to think that he would have taped others differently in that criss crossed pattern exhibited in the ebay auction? The other possibility is that time and age have worn some of the original tape off but still does not necessarily account for a criss crossed pattern on one bat but apparently not on the other.

Anybody with any opinions I would love to hear them.

Thanks
Brett Herman
brettherman2131@hotmail.com