Cal Ripken Jr. game used bat question

[MSpecht]

Hi Bobby--

Here is a link to a post that is specific to Ripken Jr's use of P72 bats in 1984 --

http://www.gameuseduniverse.com/vb_f...ead.php?t=6590

Relative to Ripken Jr's use of tape, I have seen two photos from the mid-1980 time frame that show Ripken Jr using a taped bat, in a pattern as described in one of the above response posts, not as shown in the photo of the bat you provided. In a personal conversation with Ripken, a forum member was told that Cal used tape infrequently during his career, during a period(s) when the pine tar was substandard in quality. Tape is not a usual or common Ripken characteristic, but it is not completely unknown either.

Regarding Ripken's use of 34.5 inch bats, in a review of his H & B factory records between 10/30/78 and 6/26/01, there are just two documented orders of 34.5 inch bats having been shipped to him for his professional use (in any model)--- on 10/30/78 Model M110 Natural Finish - 2 bats, and on 6/19/90 Model S188C Black finish 12 bats. No other orders are documented in his personal shipping records. I do not personally believe that 34.5 inch bats are recorded in his records as 35 inch bats. It is clear from his ordering patterns throughout his career that 35 inch bats were overwhelmingly his preferred length. In my opinion, a 34.5 inch Cal Ripken Jr signature model professional H & B Model P72 bat is most likely a team ordered index bat that was used by someone other than Ripken.

In response to Robert's observation about the Ripken Player Bat Chart on this site, it was, in fact, temporarily removed from the Game Used Library section of GUU (along with a few others) in order to correct several errors that were found during the proofreading process. While the errors would possibly seem minor to some, the GUU standard is to provide the most complete, comprehensive, accurate information to GUU members as possible. To allow inaccurate information to remain on the site and possibly be distributed to members prior to correction is not an option.
The affected charts are close to completion and will be back in the reference section very soon.

Good Luck in future collecting.

Mike Jackitout7@aol.com

[mr.miracle]

Hi Bobby--

Here is a link to a post that is specific to Ripken Jr's use of P72 bats in 1984 --

http://www.gameuseduniverse.com/vb_f...ead.php?t=6590

Relative to Ripken Jr's use of tape, I have seen two photos from the mid-1980 time frame that show Ripken Jr using a taped bat, in a pattern as described in one of the above response posts, not as shown in the photo of the bat you provided. In a personal conversation with Ripken, a forum member was told that Cal used tape infrequently during his career, during a period(s) when the pine tar was substandard in quality. Tape is not a usual or common Ripken characteristic, but it is not completely unknown either.

Regarding Ripken's use of 34.5 inch bats, in a review of his H & B factory records between 10/30/78 and 6/26/01, there are just two documented orders of 34.5 inch bats having been shipped to him for his professional use (in any model)--- on 10/30/78 Model M110 Natural Finish - 2 bats, and on 6/19/90 Model S188C Black finish 12 bats. No other orders are documented in his personal shipping records. I do not personally believe that 34.5 inch bats are recorded in his records as 35 inch bats. It is clear from his ordering patterns throughout his career that 35 inch bats were overwhelmingly his preferred length. In my opinion, a 34.5 inch Cal Ripken Jr signature model professional H & B Model P72 bat is most likely a team ordered index bat that was used by someone other than Ripken.

In response to Robert's observation about the Ripken Player Bat Chart on this site, it was, in fact, temporarily removed from the Game Used Library section of GUU (along with a few others) in order to correct several errors that were found during the proofreading process. While the errors would possibly seem minor to some, the GUU standard is to provide the most complete, comprehensive, accurate information to GUU members as possible. To allow inaccurate information to remain on the site and possibly be distributed to members prior to correction is not an option.
The affected charts are close to completion and will be back in the reference section very soon.

Good Luck in future collecting.

Mike Jackitout7@aol.com

Hello Mike:

As always fantastic information. Thanks for your help. I knew that Cal had ordered some 34.5 bats in the past but did not have my order records handy that you had previously provided on the forum. I forgot that the 34.5 bats were very scarce and in fact were only ordered for his first professional order and midway through his career. This coupled with all the other factors mentioned leads us to conclude that this bat was not used by Cal Ripken.

Thanks

[gameused]

To all the guys that commented on the bat thank you for your help!

I e-mailed the seller for a pic of the knob and here it is along with a letter from the original owner of the bat.

Looks as if he changed the number on the knob.

bat_master, can you post a pic of the number 35 that was originally on there?

Best Regards, Bobby

[bat_master]

Hi Bobby,

Here is the original photo I received on January 11, 2007. I also received the other photos that have already been shown.

Looks like a case of outright fraud. Sad part is that he possibly could have still gotten his asking price for the bat even with the #35 on the knob. Now anyone that knows it has been doctored wouldn't (or shouldn't) touch it. I know I have absolutely no interest now.

Good thing I'm such a pack rat that I keep all bat photos that are sent to me for research.

[ironmanfan]

the ironic thing is that I own a Gary Roenicke game used bat with the same "tape job." i'll try to post a picture later.

[ironmanfan]

As mentioned earlier, attached are pictures of a Adirondack Gary Roenicke gamer with an identical tape job.

[ironmanfan]

Not that it matters, but according to Retrosheet, Cal did not bat in the sixth inning of that contest vs. Kansas City (he flied out to end the fifth).

[gameused]

I e-mailed the seller this morning and asked the following question:

The knob area where the number 8 is marked in black ink, it appears that another number was on there, appears to be a 3, was this how the bat was originally obtained or did someone change it?

Let me know and thanks for the photos!

Bobby


Heres his reply:

That's the way it came. I can't account for much more than that.

Chuck