Lot 206. Baltimore Orioles Publications, Autographs and Commemorative Baseballs. The signatures – of Cal Ripken and Cal Ripken Jr. – are on the cover of James H. Bready’s 1984 oversized softcover book, The Home Team: Baltimore Baseball. Kevin Keating authenticated the autographs, which grade nm-7 to nm-m 8. The covers and about 30 pages show light to moderate mold damage. One of the more interesting publications is James E. Fredlund’s self-published, photocopied Baltimore Orioles 1892-99. In more than 120 pages, Fredlund provides statistics on the 19th century National League Orioles. There is one other book, This Date in Baltimore Orioles & St. Louis Browns History by John C. Hawkins, 1983 paperback, vg-ex. This collection includes one yearbook, the 1974 edition, vg+. The newest of the programs is from The First Opening Day, Oriole Park at Camden Yards, April 6, 1992, ex-m to nm. Other programs range from 1975-2002. There also is a scorecard for a 1966 Dodgers-Orioles World Series game, g-vg. The programs are 1975 vs. Boston, ex+; 1978 vs. Detroit, scored, g+; 1979 vs. Chicago (anniversary design), vg, and vs. Red Sox, ex-m, and Tigers (3) scored, one f, one g, one vg-ex; 1980 vs. Red Sox, p-f, water damage; 1992 vs. Royals, scored, vg-ex; 1993 (2), one vg+ and one nm; 1994 (2), ex, and 2002 nm-m. Two media guides are present, for the 1979 World Series with Pittsburgh, and for the 1998 season, both ex+. Also: a program from the 1988 MCI Baseball Classic, Mets vs. Orioles, ex; 1984 and 1985 Baltimore Sun Orioles publications, ex; an April 3, 1994 issue of Outside Pitch, ex, and a 1994 Sesame Street program with an Orioles wrapper, ex-m+. Nine baseballs, all nm or better and most from Fotoball, commemorate: Ripken’s career, Ripken’s 2131 consecutive game streak, Brady Anderson’s 1996 season, Earl Weaver’s Hall of Fame induction, the 1993 All-Star Game (two different) and the Orioles’ membership in the American League. Two are logo balls, including one with a raised logo. There also is a facsimile team ball with Ripken Jr. on a sweet spot. Also: an Orioles bumper sticker, 12 stickers (four different, 3 ¼” x 3 ¼” up to 4” x 5 ½”) with an Orioles logo and an Orioles matchbook. And two Coke 8-ounce bottles commemorating Ripken’s 1995 record, three Pepsi collector cans, two Coke cans for the 1993 All-Star Game and two beer cans marking the closing of Memorial Stadium. Proceeds from the sale of this lot will benefit the Society for American Baseball Research.
Winning Bid $40.
