Cal Ripken Jr. Baseball Cards

Below are the top 8 Cal Ripken Jr. baseball cards that collectors should target and some extra memorabilia items. 

Cal Ripken Jr. was one of the best infielders of the 1980s and 1990s. Playing both shortstop and third base in 21 seasons in MLB.

Cal Ripken Jr. Baseball Card Collage

Establishing himself as a great all-around player who excelled at both offense and defense. Ripken Jr. finished his career as a 19-time MLB All-Star. 2-time AL MVP, 2-time Gold Glove award winner. And 8-time Silver Slugger award winner.

He is best known for playing in an MLB-record 2,632 consecutive games. Surpassing Lou Gehrig’s mark of 2,130, which had previously been viewed as unbreakable.

Although Cal Ripken Jr. began his career in the 80’s, a time when baseball cards began to be mass-produced, cards featuring his likeness are still very valuable.

8. 1982 Donruss Rookie Card #405

Estimated PSA 10 Price – $675

Estimated PSA 9 Price – $85

1982 Donruss Rookie Card #405

The most unheralded of the Cal Ripken rookie cards, the 1982 Donruss #405 card is still a great addition to any collection.

The front of the card contains a white, outer border, and a blue inner, inner border outlining the player photo. The picture displays a close-up shot of Ripken Jr. from the chest up, holding a bat over his right shoulder.

The bottom of the card displays a baseball and bat graphic, with the Orioles team name listed on the baseball and Ripken Jr.’s name and position listed on the bat. The top right of the card displays the Donruss logo and “82” in commemoration of the 1982 set.

1982 Donruss Rookie Card #405 back of card

The rear of the card showcases a very striking blue and white background. While also listing Ripken Jr.’s major league stats from his 23-game stint in 1981 and some brief player bio information. 

A PSA 10 gem mint condition is affordable to many collectors. With an estimated value under $700 it could prove to be a good long term purchase.

7. 1982 Topps Baltimore Orioles Future Stars Rookie Card (Bonner, Ripken, Schneider) #21

Estimated PSA 10 Price – $1,500

Estimated PSA 9 Price – $115

1982 Topps Baltimore Orioles Future Stars Rookie Card (Bonner, Ripken, Schneider) #21

Ripken Jr.’s first appearance on Topps baseball cards came during the regular 1982 set as a part of a Baltimore Orioles Future Stars rookie card, along with Bob Bonner and Jeff Schneider.

The front of the card is arrayed in a horizontal layout with a white border/background. Pictures of Bonner, Ripken Jr., and Schneider are listed left to right. With their names and positions displayed directly below their photos. The bottom left of the card displays the Topps logo, while “Baltimore Orioles Future Stars” is printed across the bottom in purple and blue font.

1982 Topps Baltimore Orioles Future Stars Rookie Card (Bonner, Ripken, Schneider) #21 back of card

The back of the card showcases a green background and contains some very brief prospect information on each of the 3 players. 

6. 1991 Topps Cal Ripken Desert Shield #150

Estimated PSA 10 Price – $1,500

Estimated PSA 9 Price – $275

1991 Topps Cal Ripken Desert Shield #150

In 1991, Topps manufactured a set of trading cards to be distributed to US troops overseas involved in the Gulf War.

The card contains the same design as the regular 1991 set, except that a golden emblem is displayed in the top right of the card with the words “Operation Desert Shield” in honor of the war effort.

1991 Topps Desert Shield #150 back of card

Because very few cards were printed in this series and many were damaged in the harsh conditions they were exposed to overseas, PSA 9 and 10 versions of these make them a desirable card and very valuable .

1991 Topps Cal Ripken Desert Shield #5

Technically, there are 2 versions of this card, the #5 card, which pictures Ripken Jr. in the field. There is also the #150 version. Which shows him swinging the bat in a game.

1991 Topps Desert Shield #5 back of card

The #5 Cal Ripken Jr. version is rarer, but not necessarily more valuable than the #150 card. 

5. 1982 Fleer Cal Ripken Jr. Rookie Card #176

Estimated PSA 10 Price – $2,000

Estimated PSA 9 Price – $85

1982 Fleer Cal Ripken Jr. Rookie Card #176

Breaking Topps’ monopoly on baseball card production with a successful lawsuit in 1980. Fleer entered the market along with Donruss in 1981.

Still fresh on the scene in 1982, Fleer would produce one of their most valuable baseball cards of the 80’s. The 1982 Cal Ripken Jr rookie card #176.

The card itself employs a simple frontal design, with an outer white border and a 2nd, inner orange border outlining the player photo of Ripken Jr. in the field. The bottom of the card contains Ripken Jr.’s name, team, and position in white font on top of an orange border/banner.

1982 Fleer Cal Ripken Jr. Rookie Card #176 back of card

The rear of the card displays a baby blue and yellow background with player bio and statistical information. 

4. 1982 Topps Traded Rookie Card #98T

Estimated PSA 10 Price – $5,000

Estimated PSA 9 Price – $425

1982 Topps Traded Rookie Card #98T

The most valuable Cal Ripken Jr. rookie card currently in the market is the 1982 Topps Traded #98T rookie card.

Topps Traded was a series of cards released by Topps after the main set. They featured players who either switched teams or made their major league debut during the season.

The card’s front contains a white border with a picture of Ripken Jr. posing with a bat held over his right shoulder. A replica signature of Ripken Jr. is printed across the center of the card. While his name, position, and the Topps logo are all listed at or near the bottom of the card.

1982 Topps Traded Rookie Card #98T back of card

The rear of the card displays a classic Topps orange background, with player bio and statistical information. The top of the card’s back lists player trivia information about Phil Niekro and Willie Stargell. 

3. 1982 All-Star Game Program Insert Rookie Card, No Number 

Estimated PSA 10 Price – $5,000

Estimated PSA 9 Price – $500

1982 All-Star Game Program Insert Rookie Card cal ripken Jr

From the early to mid-80s, MLB All-Star game programs contained paper inserts of all the players listed on the All-Star ballot.

Shaped just like a regular sports card, the insert was displayed on a page with other players. And many collectors proceed to cut out the inserts to form their own individual sports cards.

The specialty Cal Ripken Jr. rookie card is a rare find and will command a pretty high price in PSA 9 and PSA 10 conditions. According to PSACard it has a POP 3 in PSA 10.

The front of the insert card shows Ripken Jr. swinging the bat during a game, with his name and position listed across the bottom.

1982 All-Star Game Program Insert rc back of card

The back of the card lists some very brief player information, including, interestingly enough, his place of residence at the time!

2. 1980 Charlotte O’s WBTV, No Number

Estimated PSA 10 Price – $40,000

Estimated PSA 9 Price – $7,500

1980 Charlotte O's WBTV Cal Ripken Jr card

The 1980 Charlotte O’s minor league set produced by WBTV in 1980 marked the first year that Ripken Jr. was featured on a baseball card.

The set was distributed at the Charlotte O’s minor league ballpark that season, with only about 1,400 sets being given out in total. With an estimated 100 of these cards still in existence, even lower-graded versions of the card are very valuable.

The card itself employs a blue border/background on its front, with Ripken Jr.’s name, position, and team name listed at the bottom, along with the WBTV logo. The player photo simply features Ripken Jr. in the orange and blue O’s uniform from the chest up, resembling more of a yearbook picture than an action shot.

Cal Ripken Jr. 1980 Charlotte O's WBTV back of card including spelling errors

The reverse side of the card contains a very brief player bio on a dark blue and white background. Ironically, Ripken’s last name is spelled incorrectly on the back, reading “Ripkin” instead of “Ripken”. 

1. 1980 Cal Ripken Jr. Charlotte O’s Police, No Number

Estimated PSA 10 Price – $75,000

Estimated PSA 9 Price – $10,000

1980 Cal Ripken Jr. Charlotte O's Police Card

Arguably the most sought-after minor league baseball card of all time. The 1980 Charlotte O’s Police card would easily be the crown jewel of any collection.

The card itself was a part of a 25-card set given away by law enforcement officials when they would speak at schools. The front of the card contains the same basic design as the 1980 Charlotte O’s WBTV minor league card, except that the border/background is orange instead of blue.

The back of the card contains guidelines for becoming a better 3rd baseman and crime prevention tips. Further enhancing the value of both versions of the Charlotte O’s minor league cards on this list is that they were both printed on flimsy cardstock that was easily prone to damage.

1980 Cal Ripken Jr. Charlotte O's Police back of card

Because the Charlotte O’s Police version is even rarer than the WBTV version, with some estimating that as few as 50 of these cards are still in existence. This ultra rare card possesses a very high value in almost any condition. 

Memorabilia Items 

Cal Ripken Jr. has plenty of great cards, but also a wide range of memorabilia items available for sale on sportsmemorabilia.com.

One of the most valuable items is a game-worn jersey from Ripken’s first MLB game in 1981. The jersey itself is also autographed, further enhancing its value, and sells for a hefty $890,908.99.

Signed replica cal ripken jersey

A more realistic jersey option would be an autographed black Mitchell and Ness replica jersey, available for $549.99.

Several autographed baseballs are available, with the best option probably being a 1999 All-Star Game baseball signed by several top players including Ripken Jr., Derek Jeter, and Ken Griffey Jr., retailing for $1,512.99.

Signed Cal Ripken Jr Baseball

Most baseballs exclusively featuring Ripken’s signature don’t have such high price tags and retail for about $200 to $300.

Finally, another high-end option would be an autographed, game-used bat, with a selling price of $13,726.99. 

Bruno Breen

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