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Baltimore, Maryland – January 9, 2007 When Cal Ripken picked up the phone Tuesday afternoon, he didn't need to check caller ID to see who was on the line. They could've scheduled this call Oct. 6, 2001, when the Orioles' legendary hometown hero played the last game of his storied 21-year career. The news delivered by Jack O'Connell, Secretary-Treasurer of the Baseball Writers Association of America, was a mere formality. Ripken had been elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility. The only suspense involved the percentage of the vote, which would determine the historic significance of the landslide election. Ripken said he didn't get caught up in the speculation about the vote percentages. "I was more interested in hearing 'congratulations you're in the Hall of Fame,' than the numbers," he said. "Jack read them off, but when my wife asked me what they were I couldn't remember." Ripken said he felt "a sense of nervousness, and also a sense of relief" when he got the call, but wouldn't say it topped the feeling he had catching the ball for the final out of the 1983 World Series. "This is a wonderful moment right now," he said, "But it's not the same feeling as catching that line drive. There's a great sense of accomplishment being part of winning a championship."  Cal and family get the call at his home on Tuesday. Left to right: Ryan, Kelly, Cal and Rachel Ripken. Photo credit: Bill Wood/Ripken Baseball Ripken established a record by being named on 537 ballots, breaking the previous mark of 491 by Nolan Ryan in 1999. Ripken’s percentage of 98.53 percent is the third highest in the history of BBWAA balloting behind Tom Seaver (98.83 in 1992) and Ryan (98.79 in 1999). A record 545 ballots, including two blanks, were cast by BBWAA members with 10 or more consecutive years' service, eclipsing by 25 the previous mark of 2006 when Bruce Sutter was elected. Players must be named on 75 percent of ballots submitted to gain election. This year, 409 votes were needed. For the most casual of fans, Ripken's ticket to Cooperstown was punched as far back as Sept. 6, 1995, when he played his 2,131st consecutive game, breaking a record Lou Gehrig had set 56 years earlier. The incredible streak came during a time when baseball suffered the ills of an unprecedented work stoppage that shortened two seasons and caused cancellation of the 1994 World Series. This juxtaposition heightened the impact Ripken's performance had on the game. However, even though he will forever be labeled the "Iron Man" and linked to the streak that eventually would reach 2,632 games before he took himself out of the lineup on Sept. 20, 1998, Ripken's Cooperstown credentials could hardly be labeled one-dimensional. Or, at least, they shouldn't be. His career, while neither flashy nor spectacular, was one of incredible consistency. He is one of only eight players in history with more than 3,000 hits and 400 home runs – even though he collected more than 200 hits in a season only twice – and only once hit more than 30 home runs. A two-time American League MVP (1983 & 1991), Ripken played in 19 All-Star games, twice honored as that game's MVP (1991 & 2001). He hit more home runs than any other shortstop in history (345). Not bad numbers for someone who, as a lanky 17-year old, attracted more attention from the scouts as a high school pitcher. He absorbed the instincts for the game by traipsing around in the footsteps of his dad, Cal Ripken, Sr. as the elder Cal forged a career through the minor leagues as a player, coach and manager and eventually to the big leagues as a coach and manager for the Orioles. This journey laid the foundation for Cal Jr. to become, quite literally, an everyday player. Known primarily as an offensive player, Ripken nevertheless took great pride in his defense, the most overlooked facet of his game, and perhaps the part that best exemplified the standard of excellence and consistency that he brought to the playing field. He won two Rawlings Gold Gloves at shortstop, before moving to third base during the last five years of his career, and he set several records along the way, many of which still stand. In 1990 he established records for fielding percentage (.996), fewest errors (3), consecutive errorless games (95) and chances (431). (Omar Vizquel has since matched the records for consecutive errorless games and fewest errors). In all, Ripken led American League shortstops twice in fielding percentage; six times in putouts; seven times in assists, five times in total chances and eight times in double plays. It almost goes without saying that he also led 12 times in games played at that position. Many stunning numbers other than the one to which he'll always be linked – 2,632 – helped blaze Ripken's trail to Cooperstown. The Streak will always be considered his signature achievement – but other significant triumphs made the big one possible. And made Tuesday's phone call little more than a formality. Visit Cal Ripken on the HOFMAG.com Hall Network A past president of the Baseball Writers Association of America,
Jim Henneman has covered the Baltimore sports scene
for more than 40 years – including Cal Ripken's entire career. |
Newswire 
