This tip provided by the Charlotte Police Dept.

Charlotte, N.C. 28202

For Police Emergency - DIAL 911 

When you consider the condition sensitivity of the cards, along with the fact that they were given out one card at a time to children, it should come as no surprise that this set is the rarest Minor League set containing a card of Cal Ripken, Jr. In fact, this card was referred to as the "Holy Grail" in a Huggins and Scott auction (October 2006) that brought $2,300 for an SGC 80 orange Ripken (no team set) before the 15% commission. In regards to the October Huggins and Scott auction, it is worth noting that the SGC 80 orange Ripken shared the cover of the auction catalog with such notable collectables as a PSA 4 1933 Goudy Napoloen Lajoie, SGC 20 1915 Cracker Jack Joe Jackson and 1911 Obak T212 Weaver graded SGC 60. One can only speculate as to the number of orange Ripken cards and the number of complete orange sets. Consensus from reputable collectors of Ripken memorabilia agree that a fair guess would be somewhere in the neighborhood of 50-100 Charlotte O's Police cards of Cal that are still in existence and 50 or fewer complete sets, but that is pure speculation. When you consider the scarcity of this card, it should come as no surprise that the 1980 Charlotte O's Police card of Cal Ripken, Jr. is extremely undervalued, even at the set value of $3,500 (Beckett Baseball Card Plus, October/November 2006). This set is currently the highest valued team set of all minor league team issues. The $3,500 book value of this set is a full $2,000 higher than the book value of its WBTV counterpart. Of all of the Ripken Minor League cards, this is a must have for your collection.

The Checklist

The checklist for the 1980 Charlotte O's Police set (25 cards):

The Pepper Girls

Larry Anderson

John Buffamoyer

Brooks Carey

Doc Cole

John Denman

Tommy Eaton

Kurt Fabrizio

Will George

Jose Gonzales

Drungo Hazewood

Dave Huppert

Minnie Mendoza

Edwin Neal

Russ Pensiero

Billy Presley

Luis Quintana

Dan Ramirez

Cal Ripken

Willie Royster

John Shelby

Tommy Smith

Don Welchel

Cat Whitfield

Jimmy Williams

1980 Charlotte O's Police Card Gallery

To see the 25 cards of the 1980 Charlotte O's Police set, visit our 1980 Charlotte O's Police Album at http://www.ripkenintheminors.com/apps/photos/album?albumid=7647488

"Unobtainable Sets"

The following article appeared in the April 1990 issue of Minor League Monthly:

1980 Charlotte O’s Minor League Sets  

UNOBTAINABLE SETS

One of the most frequent questions we are asked is “What is the most difficult minor league sets to obtain?” The answer to this question as far as we are concerned would most definitely be the 1980 Charlotte O’s orange border police set. This particular minor league set is almost impossible to find in complete set form for several reasons: 

1. The 1980 Charlotte O’s orange border cards were intended as a public service by the Charlotte, NC Police Dept. in 1980 and were given away to children at the local schools in Charlotte. The police officers would go into the schools to give a brief talk to the school children about safety tips and then handed out one or two cards each time they held a session. 

2. Cards were not distributed in complete set form, only one or two at a time. 

3. To further complicate matters, the Charlotte O’s stadium burned down later that year and all the remaining cards as well as printing plates and any artwork for the set were destroyed in the fire. (Note from ripkenintheminors.com: The stadium burned in 1985. There is no evidence that any police cards were ever distributed or housed at Crockett Park.) 

4. The only way for a collector to obtain the cards would be to find a local resident who had single cards and piece together a set one card at a time. 

The 1980 blue border Charlotte O’s set produced by W3TV is also difficult to obtain but it is believed that some of these cards were distributed or sold to the general public in complete set form thus making this set easier to obtain than the police set version. 

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The front of the cards in both sets are exactly alike with the exception of the orange border signifying the police set and the blue border signifying the W3TV set. The card backs are completely different between the two sets. The orange border police set has safety tips on the backs of the cards and the blue border set has player information and stats on the card backs. 

There are three (3) more cards in the blue border set that were not issued in the orange border police set. To my knowledge, only three (3) complete sets of the orange border police set are known to exist in the card collecting hobby. The most recent complete set purchase was made by long-time minor league card fanatic, Dayton Ault from Salem, Oregon, who purchased the set from Smitty’s card shop in Charlotte, NC for $1,100.00. The set Dayton purchased was not a mint set, and it is estimated that the value of a truly mint set (if one exists in the hobby) would be closer to between $1,500.00 and $2,000.00. 

CONGRATULATIONS, DAYTON, ON YOUR RARE FIND 

If readers have any more information on this extremely rare minor league set, please write us. We would love to hear from you.

Was there a mascot card?

The great thing about the 1980 Charlotte sets is that the legend that is the pair of sets grows with nearly every phone call or conversation with a fellow collector. One such conversation took place in the fall of 2006 when I spoke with a card dealer in North Carolina in search of orange police cards. He asked if I had obtained the mascot card. Long story short, a major collector of Ripken memorabilia had contacted him in pursuit of the mascot card. I was told that the card of the mascot was produced in even smaller quantities than the other cards in the set.

What we do know is that the Charlotte Orioles did in fact have an Oriole as their team mascot. However, no such card existed in the blue stadium giveaway set. The blue set did feature a card with a large Charlotte O's logo on the center of the card with the words "Baltimore Orioles AA Farm Club" across the bottom of the card. Since we do know three cards were left out of the orange set, it may not be totally out of the realm of possibility that this card could have been produced. If anything, I have learned that anything is possible with this set. However, with no hard copy to go on, this rumor seems quite a stretch.

Baseball Tips from the Police Set

The following baseball hints appear on the backs of 22 of the 25 1980 Charlotte O's Police cards:

Pitching Hints:

• Conditioning, especially the legs, are extremely important to a pitcher. Do plenty of running.
• Control is the most important asset of a pitcher. Learn to pitch to spots.
• Make it a point to always back up plays from outfield to third base and home.
• Keep the ball well hidden in your glove prior to delivering the pitch to the batter.
• Always be in a position to field balls hit through the box or in vicinity of pitching mound.
• Follow through on all deliveries, this is a natural move and will ease the strain on the pitching arm.
• Effective curve balls are thrown around the knees - do not throw it high.

Catching Hints:

• Always give a good target to your pitcher. Let him know where you want the ball thrown.

First Base Hints:

• Field ground balls in front of you, head down and eyes on the ball.
• Practice stretching out to receive throws; one step may mean the difference on an out or safe hit.

Second Base Hints:

• Practice all types of throws, especially sidearm and underhand which are used most frequently in completing a double play.

Third Base Hints:

• Get rid of ball as quickly and accurately as possible to avoid sliding runner.
• Practice fielding fround balls hit in all directions. Study and understand game situation at all times. Know the inning, score count, type and speed of hitter.

Outfield Hints:

• If two outfielders are in a good position to catch ball, let the one with the better arm make the catch.
• In catching a fly ball, do so in a relaxed and natural manner. Do not fight the ball.
• Know the inning, score and hitter at all times. This will guide you in deciding where to throw the ball.
• Unless you have a good chance of throwing the runner out, throw to the base ahead.
• Practice throwing overhand and low - especially those hit directly over your head.

Basic Base Running Hints:

• Take an 8 foot lead from first base on right handed pitcher; 7 feet for left hander.
• Never run with head down. Be alert.

Batting Hints:

• Take a natural stance - one that feels comfortable.

Crime Prevention Tips from the Police Set

The following crime prevention tips appear on the backs of 22 of the 25 1980 Charlotte O's Police cards:

• As a bike rider, you must observe all traffic signals (red and green lights and stop signs), ride on the right side of the street, and signal when turning or stopping. It's the law!
• If someone tries to get fresh with you - against your will - even if it's a member of your family - tell your mother, teacher or someone else you trust. Don't be afraid; you have done nothing wrong.
• When riding the school bus, always obey the driver; he or she is responsible for your safety - and your life. Stay in your seat at all times.
• In North Carolina, cars and bicycles are considered equal on the road. Therefore, traffic laws apply to drivers of cars and riders of bicycles alike. As a bike rider, you have an obligation to ride safely!
• Always report crimes. Police officers can be only as helpful as you let them be.
• When you're in the backyard playing, make sure the front door is locked. Someone could slip in and rob your home while you're not looking.
• Have you ever thought how ugly and wasteful it is when someone damages another person's property? What if it had been done to you? Vandalism is a crime that hurts property - and people.
• Before opening the door to your home, always make visitors identify themselves. Never let strangers in, especially if your parents aren't at home.
• When babysitting, make sure you know how to reach the parents in case of emergency, when they're expected home, and whether they're expecting any phone calls. Don't let anyone in without their permission.
• Never take for granted that drivers see you, whether you're walking or riding your bike. Drivers aren't looking for you, so you must look for them.
• If you see a burglar in action, get a good description of him, his car and his tag number. Write it down and call the police immediately.
• Never carry other riders on any part of your bike. That includes the handle bars and the frame behind you. Not only is it dangerous, it's also the law.
• Rob a thief of his chance to commit a crime: Keep a light on in your house when you're not at home, as well as a light outside. Thieves do their best work in the dark.
• If a stranger threatens you, run to the nearest adult woman, or a crossing guard, your teacher or parent. No matter how nice strangers may seem, you should never trust them.
• When answering the telephone, never identify yourself until you know for sure who's calling. Never tell a stranger that you're home alone.
• Register your bike with the Charlotte Police Department and keep a record of that number. If your bike is stolen, call the police right away, and give the officer your registration number.
• Police officers are your friends. They protect you and your family, and they can help you if you're lost or in trouble. If you see a crime being committed, or if you are the victim of a crime, call the police immediately.
• Taking drugs is not only illegal, it's stupid. You never know what you're taking. Drugs can cripple, and they can kill.
• Don't hide a spare key to your home near the door, above the ledge, under a flower pot or mat. These are the first places a burglar will look.
• Strangers can be very dangerous. They may seem friendly, but you don't know what they're up to. Never talk to strangers, and never, ever accept gifts or rides from them.
• If something is locked up, it's much less likely to be taken. So if you have a bicycle, remember: "Out of sight, out of mind!" Leaving your bike out in the open is an invitation to thieves.
• If you must leave your bike, even for a few minutes, lock it to something sturdy, secure and that can't be moved. Use a heavy padlock and an extra-long chain passed through the spokes of both wheels and frame.

PSA Changes Slabs on 1980 Charlotte Minor League Issues

In a hobby that tends to have more questions than answers, PSA pledged today to do its part in clearing the air on 1980 Charlotte O’s minor league trading cards. 

Up until January 21, 2008,, the PSA flips contained two inaccuracies, one on each of the WBTV and Charlotte Police slabs. The inaccuracy involving the 1980 WBTV blue bordered set involved the slab posting card numbers. In all reality, there is no official checklist. We know this for two reasons: First, seven cards in the set do not have a number on the back of the card (O's Logo Header, Team Card, The Pepper Girls, Marshall Hester, Doc Cole, Minnie Mendoza and Jimmy Williams). Second, there are three cards in the 28 card set that have numbers higher than 28 (#30 Don Welchel, #31 Will George, & #32 Edwin Neal). 

The inaccuracy on the Charlotte Police slabs could be found in the words, TEAM ISSUE. According to an insert from the 1980 Charlotte O’s program, "every child 14 & under who enters with a paying adult gets a free set of cards" on the night of May 30, 1980. This insert also confirms that the set given out that night was the WBTV set. The 1980 Charlotte Police set is a parallel of the WBTV team issued set that was given away at the park in the summer of 1980 with a couple of exceptions: First, the orange set contained 3 fewer cards than the blue set (28-25). Second, and most significant, was how the orange set was distributed. While the blue WBTV set would be given away as a complete set at Crockett Park, the orange set, which was produced in much smaller quantities, would be given out one or two cards at a time by officers of the Charlotte Police Department. It is worth noting that sources inside the Charlotte O’s organization have gone on record as saying that the Charlotte Police cards were never distributed inside Crockett Park.

Instrumental in the changes taking place was Susan Blanco of the PSA Research Department, who was given the assignment from PSA President Joe Orlando. In a message that contained the new labels for the 1980 Charlotte issues, Susan reiterated that PSA "understands the importance of this" and that PSA wants "to give you the best service that we can provide". The attention to detail will be welcomed. With this change, PSA will be the only third party grading service of the "big three" (SGC, BGS) that currently contains accurate information on the slabs of both 1980 issues.

A Grocery Cart, Dumpster, and a Police Officer: The Minor League Cards of Cal Ripken, Jr.

The following article was published in 2013 on http://www.sportscollectorsdaily.com

A Grocery Cart, Dumpster, and a Police Officer:

The Minor League Cards of Cal Ripken, Jr.

Cal Ripken, Jr., is one of the most beloved players in Major League Baseball history. On the field he was the 1982 Rookie of the Year and a 1983 World Series Champion. In 20 full seasons, he was a 19-time all-star selection, two time Gold Glove Award winner, and twice received the American League Most Valuable Player Award. He had 431 career home runs 3,184 career hits. On September 6, 1995, Cal broke Lou Gehrig’s consecutive game streak record. After a strike shortened 1994 season, many credit Ripken for saving baseball. Cal’s on the field play earned a selection to the Baseball Hall of Fame with the third highest selection percentage in history.

Twelve years after retirement, Cal Ripken, Jr., remains relevant. Along with his brother, Billy, Cal formed the Cal Ripken, Sr., Foundation. The Foundation helps build character and teach critical life lessons to disadvantaged young people in America’s most distressed communities through baseball and softball themed programs. Cal also serves as an International Ambassador for the game of baseball. Young people who never had the opportunity to watch Cal play are still exposed to the name Ripken as part of the Cal Ripken Division of the Babe Ruth Baseball League. Cal also remains a popular feature in modern day Topps releases. As of July 20, 2013, Cal had appeared on 139 different trading cards among 2013 issues.

Cal’s love for the game, love for the fans, and love for others make him popular among hobby collectors. Ripken’s popularity provides collectors with many opportunities to grab items with his image. Through his Ironclad Authentics (www.ironcladauthentics.com), the licensing and memorabilia division of Ripken Baseball, collectors have the opportunity to purchase personalized autographed pieces and even have the opportunity to meet the Iron Man.

In the hobby, supply and demand is key. Ripken related collectibles have brought steady prices during his career and after retirement due to steady demand. When an item is scarce, Ripken related items bring large premiums. Over the past several weeks, the minor league cards of Cal have been bringing about such premiums, with prices ranging from $2,499-$6,500. 

During the 1980 season, Cal played for the AA Charlotte O’s of the Southern League. Cal helped the O’s with his offense (.276-25-78) and defense (Southern League leader at 3B with a .933 fielding percentage). Cal and the O’s defeated the Memphis Chicks to win the 1980 Southern League Championship. Cal was a 1980 Southern League All-Star and was given the opportunity to play in the Caribbean Winter League. In winter ball, Cal would receive the first of two consecutive Team MVP Awards with Caugas. In February 2009, I had the honor of interviewing Cal for the first time. In the interview, Cal had the following to say about his time in Charlotte:

This was the season that made me believe for the first time that I could play in the big leagues. I had a full season in Charlotte and I really loved that town. I returned there recently for a fundraiser and it was great to be back. I had a wonderful season there and a lot of great memories.

During the 1980 season, Cal’s first professional trading card was produced. On May 30, 1980, exactly two years to the day before “The Streak” began, a blue-bordered 28-set sponsored by WBTV of Charlotte was given out to fans 14 and under at Crockett Park, the home of the Charlotte O’s.

Marshall Hester was the Traveling Secretary for the 1980 Charlotte O’s. As a 24 year old, Marshall ran the home clubhouse and helped the club on road trips. To his surprise, he was included in the 1980 WBTV set.

I can't recall if a photo shoot was done exclusively for the card set or whether the card photos came from the normal team photo shoot. There was just one team photo shoot that I remember that season. It was before a game so I was in the dugout doing whatever and the manager Jimmy Williams called me, "Marshall, you're part of the team - get out here." I guess the photographer asked Jimmy if there was anyone else to shoot. What a wonderful man, Jimmy Williams. He treated me with the same interest and respect as any of the players. He liked it because I stood at attention during the National Anthem (a holdover from my Naval Reserve time). I don't know if the photographer wanted a final shot to finish out the roll, or if they had this card set in mind and another shot was needed for the printer's plate or if Jimmy was just being nice. I got out there quick and was being ribbed by all of the players off-camera because by then it was a month or two into the season and I was one of the guys getting in trouble with them and sharing every ball players interest in girls, cars, spitting and more girls. When the set was printed I was as surprised as anybody to be in it. Jimmy thought it was great.

The 28-card shrink-wrapped set had a production run of 1,400 sets. However, first hand accounts would indicate that far fewer than 1,400 sets are available today thanks in part to a grocery cart and a dumpster. 33 years later, Marshall vividly remembers the night of May 30, 1980:

The night the cards were given out either we had a sparse crowd or there was a distribution SNAFU because after the game there were hundreds and hundreds of unopened packs left around the concourse. The GM wanted everything cleaned up that night before we left and that included these cards. I assume it was the GM because the souvenir manager had orders from higher up to get rid of the leftover cards. A grocery cart was always tucked in a storage room on the concourse. My kid brother, age 13 and my clubhouse rat, got the cart and we went up and down the concourse chunking the cards into the cart. It filled the entire cart I know because it was tough trying to push it to the dumpster. Into the dumpster the cards went and that was that. My brother may have stuck a set or two in his pocket but I didn't take any. It was no big deal.

Marshall’s “kid brother” is Stuart Hester. An 8th grader at the time, Stuart assisted his brother in the season preparations and the day-to-day responsibilities of running a clubhouse in professional baseball. Stuart also remembers the night of May 30, 1980.

It was a sparse attendance that night. As a result, there was a large amount of promotional card sets left over. At the end of the night, the sets were gathered into a large grocery cart. The cart was overflowing and heavy and my help was needed to push the cart to the dumpster. I did manage to keep my one set.

Robert “Cat” Whitfield beat out Cal for shortstop position for the 1980 Charlotte O’s. A member of the Alderson-Broaddus Baseball Hall of Fame, Whitfield handled 16 chances at shortstop without an error on August 15, 1980. Whitfield was so good, the only time Cal saw action at shortstop was when Cat got married during the 1980 season. Cat joked with his best man at the wedding that, “if the preacher starts dragging this out you’re going to have to do something to speed it up. I got to get back to Charlotte because Ripken is playing shortstop.”

Cat Whitfield also appears in the 1980 WBTV Charlotte O’s set. Cat remembers the post game clubhouse on the night of May 30, 1980:

After the night was over there were several extra cases and Frances put them in the clubhouse. I grabbed like ten packs just to have it because I knew that I was always going to be where I could hand them out to my friends and my sister and my college team guys. I thought it was some neat thing that I could give away or add to the Christmas present that year. I literally gave them all away. No, I had to have taken more than ten because I remember opening at least four or five packs, pulling my card out, and throwing the rest of the cards away. Then I would just send my card in a letter or Christmas card to friends to the point that my sister has a pack today that’s opened. My dad has a pack that’s opened and a pack that’s unopened. He brought the opened one to the ’80 reunion and got everybody to sign their card.

Cal remembers his first trading card. In the July 2007 issue of Beckett Baseball Card Monthly, Kevin Haake, Associate Editor of the publication, interviewed Cal Ripken, Jr. In the interview, Cal commented on his 1980 WBTV Charlotte O's card when asked, "Did you ever actively collect your own Rookie Card?" Cal's response was as follows: "No, I never went looking for them, but I've got them all. The card I have the most quantity of is my 1980 Charlotte WBTV minor league card. This was my first baseball card ever, so I was pretty excited. Somewhere, I've got a box full of those sets." Cal’s name was misspelled “Ripkin” on the back of the card. In February 2010, I had the opportunity to ask Cal if he was disappointed with the error. He responded, “I am sure that I was at the time but looking back it doesn't bother me in the least.”

The 1980 Charlotte O’s WBTV set brings strong premiums. It is for this reason that Cal’s WBTV carries the most need for caution due to counterfeits on the market. During June 2013, Cal’s WBTV cards saw huge spikes in premiums:

June 6: PSA 6 WBTV - $2,499 (Ebay Buy It Now)

June 11: PSA 6 WBTV - $3,499 (Ebay Buy It Now)

June 14: SGC 40 WBTV - $3,231.25 ($2,750 plus commission, Huggins and Scott)

June 30: PSA 6 WBTV with the rest of the team set - $4,500 (Ebay)

The hot sales continued to the month of July. On July 13, a 1980 WBTV graded SGC 80 sold for $3,500 (Ebay Buy It Now).

Population reports from the “big three” of grading (BGS, PSA, SGC) would suggest that far fewer than 1,400 sets are available. As of July 2, 2013, the three grading services have slabbed a combined total of 46 copies.

BGS: 9 copies

PSA: 34 copies

SGC: 3 copies

Unbeknownst to Cal, his second trading card was also produced during the 1980 season. This card, sponsored by the Charlotte Police Department, featured a design similar to its WBTV counterpart with some exceptions: The Charlotte O’s Police card featured an orange border and did not include the WBTV logo. In addition, the back of the Police card included crime prevention and baseball tips. The 1980 Charlotte O’s Police cards were never collated in set form. During the summer of 1980, Officers from the Charlotte Police Department gave one or two cards out at a time to young people of the Charlotte area.

Cal’s 1980 Charlotte Police card, considered Cal’s “Holy Grail”, is extremely rare. As of July 2, 2013, the “big three” of grading (BGS, PSA, SGC), have only slabbed 21 copies of Cal’s orange bordered Charlotte O’s Police card:

BGS: 3 copies

PSA: 14 copies

SGC: 4 copies

To put the scarcity in perspective, the T206 Honus Wagner, often referred to as “The Card”, has a population of 47 copies as of the July 2, 2013, PSA and SGC Population Reports.

During June 2013, Cal’s 1980 Charlotte O’s Police cards brought high prices in two Ebay Buy it Now listing appearances.

June 11: PSA 2 Charlotte Police - $2,499

June 30: PSA 5 Charlotte Police with 17 singles from the 1980 Charlotte Police set - $6,500

Since October 4, 2006, there are only ten recorded sales of this card.

Collectors familiar with Cal’s minor league cards are not surprised by the sales data. Collectors unfamiliar with Cal’s minor league issues might be some confused as to how cards produced in 1980 can be bringing such high final prices.

Baltimore Orioles fan James Feagin is Head Writer for Huggins & Scott Auctions. His love affair for the Orioles began in 1984 as an eight year old when his family moved from California to Maryland. When Eddie Murray was traded in 1988, Ripken became his new focus. As the 1990s wore on and "The Streak" came into prominence, Ripken became the focal point of his collecting endeavors. After a serious seven-year search, James acquired a 1980 Charlotte O’s Police Cal Ripken, Jr.

As Head Writer at Huggins and Scott Auctions, James personally sees millions of cards come through the auction house every year. As a person who sees hobby treasures come and go on a regular basis, James was asked to describe where he feels that Cal’s minor league cards rank in the hobby:

I've handled several thousand T206 cards, dozens of Mantle rookies, countless 1950s-1960s Topps and Bowman cards and even more modern collections. With the proliferation of internet retail sites and auction houses, savvy hobbyists are becoming more wise as to what is really scarce. However, it's equally important to note that rarity is not what entirely dictates the desirability of an item. Sometimes, the only thing rarer than an item is a buyer for it. During my 7 years with Huggins & Scott, I have handled less than a half dozen blue border (WBTV) and exactly zero orange border (Police) Charlotte Ripken cards. It is the perfect storm for price escalation being that 1.) Cal Ripken is a baseball icon and the overwhelming majority of his collectors have never seen, let alone secured copies of his Charlotte cards; 2.) these sets were not manufactured by a major company with artificial print runs and 3.) valuable research from websites such as ripkenintheminors have created a story or point of time which further fuels desirability in these cards. It is also important to note that Baltimore is a major hub in the sports card industry and advanced Orioles collectors are more apt to pay a substantial premium for "one of their own". Ripken wasn't a vagabond like Henderson and that also helps drive sales.

Bill Haelig is well known in hobby circles as having the most comprehensive collection of Ripken cards and memorabilia in the country. A long time Baltimore Orioles fan and collector, Bill works directly with Cal through Ironclad Authentics. Sports Illustrated named Bill as the "Iron Man of Cal Collectors" in its commemorative "2131" edition. Bill picked up his first WBTV set in 1985 for $10. When he learned, shortly thereafter, that the orange Charlotte O’s Police card existed it took another two years to track one down.

Although information about the 1980 Charlotte issues is more accessible than ever before, Bill feels that the hobby continues to overlook the scarcity. Bill also thinks that the unique circumstances surrounding the distribution of the cards have been overlooked:

You have the Blue WBTV cards that were given away to kids one evening at Crockett Park in May of 1980, with first hand accounts of many of these complete sets never getting in the hands of children, compounded with the devastating fire that completely destroyed this stadium in 1985. In addition, the orange cards that were never collated as a set, but were to given to kids by the Charlotte Police Department. All of these years later, less than 50 examples of the Charlotte Police Ripken can be accounted for. All of this makes these cards SO much more intriguing. Tell me one other minor league card set in the last 35 years that can compete with this set of circumstances, coupled with the fact that one of the players in that set would eventually become an iconic Hall of Fame player?

If current trends are a sign of things to come, the minor league cards of Cal Ripken, Jr., will only continue to be a focal point of hobby discussions.

Chris Dishman is the founder of Ripken in the Minors. The site was created in October 2006 in an effort to protect and educate collectors about Cal’s Minor League cards. To learn more about Cal’s Minor League cards and career, please visit www.ripkenintheminors.com. Chris can also be reached at [email protected]

February 2014: "Complete" Police Set Sells for $25,714.50 at Auction

In February of 2014, Huggins and Scott Auctions presented a complete 1980 Charlotte O's Police Set. The set was broken down in three lots:

1) BVG 8 Ripken (highest graded example)

2) PSA 7 Pepper Girls (Editor Note: Between 2004-May 2020, only two copies of the orange Pepper Girls card have been offered at public auction)

3) The remaining 23 cards in the set. 

After the 11 day auction that saw each listing go to "Overtime," the combined price realized for the set (including commission) was $25,714.50. The individual prices realized were as follows:

BVG 8 Ripken ($22,515.00)

PSA 7 Pepper Girls ($1,659.00)

Remaining 23 cards ($1,540.50). 

November 2017: First Bulk Appearance of 1980 Charlotte O's WBTV and Police Reprints

Leading up to the fall of 2017, my stance on the possibilities of counterfeit/reprinted copies of Cal's 1980 Charlotte O's WBTV and Police issues were well documented. While recognizing the legitimate possibility of counterfeit/reprinted copies being out there, I felt the likelihood was small for two reasons:

1. Card Population

2. Card value

Buyer protection was assisted by the facts that someone wanting to reproduce the card would have a hard time purchasing a copy due the supply/demand as well as the cost to obtain a copy. The only way around this would be if an owner was willing to share a high resolution copy of the card. Even without proof of counterfeits/reproductions on the market, this site has always taken the stance of buying authenticated copies of Cal's minor league cards from a reputable third party authenticator. 

In November of 2017, the first batch of "Reprints" hit the secondary market. The lots were posted on eBay in lots of 100. The listings clearly identified the cards as reprints. However, there was no marking on the cards to identify them as reprints. Copies of the card featured the full front as well as the back with the Third Base Hints and Crime Prevention tips from the Charlotte Police Department. The listing noted that the cards were the standard size of a trading card (2.5 x 3.5) and had a standard card thickness. The seller noted that the cards had a glossy finish on both sides of the card. Since then, the cards have appeared in smaller lots or singles.

For anyone that has researched the 1980 Charlotte O's WBTV and Police cards, the thickness and gloss of the cards would be red flags to anyone questioning the authenticity of the cards. However, as printing technology continues to evolve, it could be possible that counterfeit/reprinted copies of Cal's "Holy Grail" are out there that better mimic the stock and feel of a true 1980 Charlotte O's WBTV or Police issue. For these reasons, RITM urges collectors interested in adding any of Cal's minor league issues to do their homework before making any purchase.