Today, January 9, 2007, on his first day of eligibility into the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame, Calvin Edwin Ripken, Jr (AKA Cal) was inducted. Making his MLB debut on 08/24/81 against the Kansas City Royals at Memorial Stadium in Baltimore Maryland. He became known as the "Iron Man" for his consecutive games played streak. He played in a record 2632 straight games, spanning 16 seasons, from May 30, 1982 (Toronto @ Baltimore L6-0) until September 20, 1998 (NY Yankees @ Baltimore L5-4). What's funny is the day he took a day off, 9/21/98, was against the Toronto Blue Jays, the very team he STARTED his streak with. He broke the record at 2131 on September 6, 1995 at home against the California Angels (Baltimore won 4-2). I will never forget the lap around Camden Yards when he broke the record. What a magical night.Today, Cal, you have earned the highest honor - entry into Cooperstown.
Oh, how I wish I could be there to see that - Baltimore's favorite son! Born and raised in Baltimore - playing for the hometown team for 21 years in the big leagues....
Some of his honors through the years:
- All-Star 1983-99, 2001
- All-Star Game MVP 1991, 2001
- American League Rookie of the Year 1982
- American League MVP 1983, 1991
- Gold Glove 1991, 1992
- Most consecutive games played at 2,632
Congradulations Cal -- you have more than earned your spot in glory...and you did it CLEAN!
1 comment:
i am so happy about this! i can't wait til i can go back to the Hall of Fame & see his plaque hanging there in that hall with all the amazing athletes who went before him.
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