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JUNE 14, 1996

IronmanfanIronmanfan Posts: 5,503 ✭✭✭✭
in Trading Cards & Memorabilia Forum
I know that I've shown this before, but here is a game used ball from June 14, 1996 when Cal Ripken Jr. passed Japan's Sachio Kinugasa for the "World Record" of most consecutive games played at 2216.

I flew out to KC for the weekend to witness this, determined to get a game ball from this game (well before holograms, MLB authenticion, etc.). Anyways, in one of the early innings, catcher Chris Hoiles hit a foul ball into the stands off Mark Gubicza and I negotiated a deal with the college aged kid who caught it for $50 (mission accomplished!).

As luck would have it, I knew the person who had sponsored Kinugasa's trip to the USA and he asked me and my buddy if we wanted to share a ride back to the hotel after the game....I had Kinugasa (who lives in Japan) sign the ball in the van (while it can't be seen, Kinugasa added "2215" as an inscription) & subsequently added Cal a few years later...The neat thing was that when Cal signed it, being the perfectionist he is, once he noted that Kinugasa had signed in black ink, didn't want to sign it until he could locate a black ink pen......

image

I think it's s a safe bet to say that no other game used balls exist from this game that have been signed by both ballplayers...........


Enjoy, IMF
Successful dealings with Wcsportscards94558, EagleEyeKid, SamsGirl214, Volver, DwayneDrain, Oaksey25, Griffins, Cardfan07, Etc.

Comments

  • zep33zep33 Posts: 6,897 ✭✭✭
    That is awesome!!
  • Alfonz24Alfonz24 Posts: 3,113 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Awesome story.

    How do you display the ball?
    #LetsGoSwitzerlandThe Man Who Does Not Read Has No Advantage Over the Man Who Cannot Read. The biggest obstacle to progress is a habit of “buying what we want and begging for what we need.”You get the Freedom you fight for and get the Oppression you deserve.
  • gumbyfangumbyfan Posts: 5,168 ✭✭✭
    Now that is a fantastic piece. Thanks for sharing!
  • DboneesqDboneesq Posts: 18,219 ✭✭
    AWESOME signed ball IMF!
    STAY HEALTHY!

    Doug

    Liquidating my collection for the 3rd and final time. Time for others to enjoy what I have enjoyed over the last several decades. Money could be put to better use.
  • calaban7calaban7 Posts: 3,014 ✭✭✭
    Really neat item and story.--- Sonny
    " In a time of universal deceit , telling the truth is a revolutionary act " --- George Orwell
  • YogiBerraFanYogiBerraFan Posts: 2,390 ✭✭
    Very cool image
  • neildownneildown Posts: 183
    Cool beans and very creative
  • Stone193Stone193 Posts: 24,438 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Thanx for sharing the whole event - very special.

    Great ball - and kind of nifty how ya landed the ball.

    And - having both sigs is special!
    Mike
  • MantleMarisFordBerraMantleMarisFordBerra Posts: 1,706 ✭✭✭
    Very impressive! Thanks for sharing.
  • ToroToro Posts: 1,515
    One of the sweetest signed baseballs I've seen!
  • DCanfieldDCanfield Posts: 548 ✭
    A very special ball! Thanks for sharing.
    Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming 'WOW What a Ride!' Mark Frost
  • Foo3112Foo3112 Posts: 1,961
    I love hearing stories like this. Very cool piece of history you have there.
  • jeffcbayjeffcbay Posts: 8,950 ✭✭✭✭
    Awesomeness 1/1
  • BGSXYMARKBGSXYMARK Posts: 240
    Very cool item!
    MARK AGGSON
    Collecting Pete Rose Cello Packs
    Pete Rose Master set ranking #4(Retired)
  • trextrex Posts: 179
    What a neat story. Thanks for sharing. Way better than a perfect game.
  • GDM67GDM67 Posts: 2,526 ✭✭✭✭
    I love it, especially the black ink part.
    My Sets
  • BunchOBullBunchOBull Posts: 6,188 ✭✭✭
    I dig one-off memorabilia like this...amazing! Sadly, I never got to see Frank play in person so I don't have any experiences like this to recount, but I surely appreciate yours.
    Collector of most things Frank Thomas. www.BigHurtHOF.com
  • TmbrWolf22TmbrWolf22 Posts: 583 ✭✭✭
    Chris Hoiles went to my high school.
    Check Out My Photobucket
  • milbrocomilbroco Posts: 2,753 ✭✭✭✭
    Value of ball..........$1,000.00??
    Value of story........Priceless.......................

    SWEET!
    Bob
    ebay seller name milbroco
    email bcmiller7@comcast.net
  • dtkk49adtkk49a Posts: 2,489 ✭✭✭
    Awesome ball. I wouldn't even guess at a value.
    Follow me - Cards_and_Coins on Instagram



    They call me "Pack the Ripper"
  • GarabaldiGarabaldi Posts: 2,004 ✭✭✭
    Very, very unique
  • MrKnowthanxMrKnowthanx Posts: 322 ✭✭
    I would think that has a spot waiting for it in the HOF. Hopefully you can give them a heads up if you ever decide to get rid of it lol
  • orioles93orioles93 Posts: 3,482 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Awesome ball! Anything related to Cal is great!
    What I Collect:

    PSA HOF Baseball Postwar Rookies Set Registry- (Currently 80.51% Complete)


    PSA Pro Football HOF Rookie Players Set Registry- (Currently 19.80% Complete)


    PSA Basketball HOF Players Rookies Set Registry- (Currently 6.02% Complete)
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