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