My first memory of Cal Ripken goes back to '81. It was the strike season and I caught a game on TV with Ripken at shortstop. The O's had missed out on the "first half championship" because of a loss on what turned out to be the last game of that weird split season.
Next season, he opened at 3b and hit a homerun on opening day. The O's and Brewers went down to the last weekend of the season. The two teams were tied after 161 games and the AL East was literally decided on the last day. It was great!
The rest is history. He was MVP in '83 and the O's won the World Series. He also started the "game streak" that went on until '98. He repeated as MVP in '91.
Unfortunately, Ripken played in bad Oriole teams. Yet, he was out there every day playing and putting some good numbers, such as 431 Hrs and over 3100 hits.
Ripken now joins Murray, Palmer, Weaver, Frank Robinson and Brooks Robinson as Orioles in the Hall of Fame.
Congratulations to a great guy. I'm sure that many Oriole fans will travel to Cooperstown to participate in the ceremony. It should be a lot of fun.
See his HOF website for more photos and videos!
Next season, he opened at 3b and hit a homerun on opening day. The O's and Brewers went down to the last weekend of the season. The two teams were tied after 161 games and the AL East was literally decided on the last day. It was great!
The rest is history. He was MVP in '83 and the O's won the World Series. He also started the "game streak" that went on until '98. He repeated as MVP in '91.
Unfortunately, Ripken played in bad Oriole teams. Yet, he was out there every day playing and putting some good numbers, such as 431 Hrs and over 3100 hits.
Ripken now joins Murray, Palmer, Weaver, Frank Robinson and Brooks Robinson as Orioles in the Hall of Fame.
Congratulations to a great guy. I'm sure that many Oriole fans will travel to Cooperstown to participate in the ceremony. It should be a lot of fun.
See his HOF website for more photos and videos!
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