Chuck Thompson was a sportscaster best known for his broadcasts of the Baltimore Orioles and the Baltimore Colts. He was well-recognized for his resonant voice, crisply descriptive style of play-by-play, and signature on-air exclamations "Go to war, Miss Agnes!" and "Ain't the beer cold!" He was awarded the National Baseball Hall of Fame's Ford Frick Award in 1993.

A 19-time All-Star and two-time American League Most Valuable Player, Cal Ripken, Jr. is best remembered for breaking Lou Gehrig's record for consecutive games played, a record that had stood for 56 years and many deemed unbreakable. Cal was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2007.

This Rawlings official American League baseball was signed in black by Ripken and Thompson, with Thompson inscribing, "Best Wishes" and "HOF 93." This baseball includes a Great Moments COA.