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Re: The $100,000 Ripken Jersey
"Would an order for two jersey at one time be considered one set (ie. from the same order)?"
my opinion is yes. the two jerseys would be in the same purchase order and likely labeled set 1 and set 2. however, i don't believe purchase orders or set numbers have any relevance in this case. neither of these jerseys was supposed to have been specifically ordered for ripken. they're supposed to be spares. the letter from the orioles asst. equipment manager states as much:
"Since Cal wasn't expected to make the majors until 1983, there was no 1981 uniform pre-made for him (ie: ordered specifically for him). As was the case in those situations then (and now), it was up to the equipment staff to come up with something on a moment's notice. The Orioles for many seasons used a seamstress at Lord Baltimore Cleaners to stitch on the appliques (i.e. numbers and nameplates) using materials provided by the club...This was the case with Cal's first uniform, including the road jersey that this letter will accompany"
ripken was called up on august 8, 1981. he played his first game on august 10. the orioles didn't play any games on august 8 or 9. on 8/6/81, a shipment of bats from louisville slugger was sent to rochester for ripken. this tells me that ripken didn't know far ahead of time that he'd be called up on 8/8. he played in 23 games that season.
here's what bothers me about both of the ripken jerseys: it's apparent that ripken, upon being called up without much notice on august 8, was issued a spare for his first jersey. spares are blanks that've been ordered for call-ups and trades, as well as to replace lost, stolen, or damaged shirts. they're intended to get a player suited up asap when there's no time to place and receive a factory order. the team orders a variety of popular sizes that would likely cover such emergencies. with all of this being the case, why do both ripken jerseys have customizations? who orders a spare specifically with 3" of extra length? the letter says that ripken was issued a spare prepared "on a moment's notice". upon ripken's arrival, the orioles would've grabbed a spare and had it done up locally. you don't order spares with customizations because you have no clue who'll be using those spares. customizations are player-unique. ripken had no opportunity to request extra length on august 8. ripken probably arrived in baltimore the day before the game. 2"/3" of extra length is not a spare. it's a customized jersey ordered from the factory for a specific player. it makes no sense.
rudy.
"Would an order for two jersey at one time be considered one set (ie. from the same order)?"
my opinion is yes. the two jerseys would be in the same purchase order and likely labeled set 1 and set 2. however, i don't believe purchase orders or set numbers have any relevance in this case. neither of these jerseys was supposed to have been specifically ordered for ripken. they're supposed to be spares. the letter from the orioles asst. equipment manager states as much:
"Since Cal wasn't expected to make the majors until 1983, there was no 1981 uniform pre-made for him (ie: ordered specifically for him). As was the case in those situations then (and now), it was up to the equipment staff to come up with something on a moment's notice. The Orioles for many seasons used a seamstress at Lord Baltimore Cleaners to stitch on the appliques (i.e. numbers and nameplates) using materials provided by the club...This was the case with Cal's first uniform, including the road jersey that this letter will accompany"
ripken was called up on august 8, 1981. he played his first game on august 10. the orioles didn't play any games on august 8 or 9. on 8/6/81, a shipment of bats from louisville slugger was sent to rochester for ripken. this tells me that ripken didn't know far ahead of time that he'd be called up on 8/8. he played in 23 games that season.
here's what bothers me about both of the ripken jerseys: it's apparent that ripken, upon being called up without much notice on august 8, was issued a spare for his first jersey. spares are blanks that've been ordered for call-ups and trades, as well as to replace lost, stolen, or damaged shirts. they're intended to get a player suited up asap when there's no time to place and receive a factory order. the team orders a variety of popular sizes that would likely cover such emergencies. with all of this being the case, why do both ripken jerseys have customizations? who orders a spare specifically with 3" of extra length? the letter says that ripken was issued a spare prepared "on a moment's notice". upon ripken's arrival, the orioles would've grabbed a spare and had it done up locally. you don't order spares with customizations because you have no clue who'll be using those spares. customizations are player-unique. ripken had no opportunity to request extra length on august 8. ripken probably arrived in baltimore the day before the game. 2"/3" of extra length is not a spare. it's a customized jersey ordered from the factory for a specific player. it makes no sense.
rudy.
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