I found it interesting that a fellow Forum reader posted a question relating to authenticating hats, and how difficult it is. Within a few minutes of reading this, I reviewed the recent offerings on the American Memorabilia site, and found a Ripken Jr. "game worn hat".
Not only is the hat the wrong size for Ripken (size 7 1/4-Ripken wears a much larger size), the 8 under the brim looks nothing like the customary 8 used by Ripken on his equipment, including hats and bats. This can be confirmed by both Dan Derluth and Bill Haleg, 2 of the most experienced Ripken collectors in the hobby and readers of the Forum.
This is not the first Ripken hat American Memorabila has offered in size 7 1/4, as previous auctions have had the same size and style.
I have brought this to American Memorabilia's attention, however, the current hat and previous offerings have never been addressed or pulled from the auction(s).
Considering the fact that it has been "carefully examined" and a letter of opinion is provided by Lou Lampson, buyers should rest easy. No doubt Lou's expertise in authenticating Ripken collectibles is second to none, as we have seen with previous items he has inspected. If memory serves correct, he wrote a letter on a green Ripken St. Patrick's jersey, a jersey style that has yet top be documented as EVER being worn by Ripken, or for that matter, the Orioles!
Who knows, maybe the hat in question was worn by Ripken during St. Patrick's Day with the green jersey. Is it possible that Ripken had little on his mind during the game, and as such, wore a smaller hat size?
