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Updated: June 22, 5:06 PM ET Feedback: While Cal will leave, the memories remain | ||||||||||||||||||
| Baseball will lose one of its greats as Cal Ripken announced Tuesday that he will retire at the end of this season. The 21-year veteran compiled two American League MVP's, made 18 All-Star appearances and competed in a major league record 2,632 consecutive games. Hitting only .210 this season, Ripken said he knew this was the right time to retire. And ESPN.com users agree that Cal's choice was a good one.
Here are your thoughts on the announcement and your favorite Ripken memories:
Ripken is a class act Growing up in Baltimore, I have WAY more than just one great, and I do mean "GREAT" memory of Cal. Who caught the last out of the '83 World Series? Who signs autographs until everyone is gone? Who gives it his all EVERY time out -where do you think Shane Battier learned his ethics? One great memory for me is back in '84 when the O's gave up four runs on a grand slam to Detroit in the bottom of the 1st and the O's got 3 runs back, 1 at a time, through the rest of the game w/out giving up another run to the Tigers. Cal hit a homer with 2 outs in the bottom of the ninth inning to tie it off of then-untouchable Willy Hernandez. The place just about exploded!!!! It seems it has always been like that for the O's - Cal has always been there for us, never hogging the spotlight & we have always been grateful for his friendly, supportive, consistent, positive, winning ways. Read Omaha, Neb. Cal's choice should not be questioned If Cal thought it was the right choice for him, then who am I to second-guess his career and/or his life. What some people fail to realize is that Cal Ripken is the epitome of sportsmanship, comradery, and professionalism for Major League Baseball. Don't get me wrong, A-Rod is another player who exhibits this greatness; however, Cal is his predecessor. He is, and always will be, a Baltimore icon, who taught us all, young and old, that no matter what talent(s) God blesses you with, you should always "give back" to those who supported you and helped you get to your point of greatness. This is the true definition of being a "Team Player" and he makes it a point to practice this on and off the field. Anthony Columbia, Md.
I've always said that Cal should have retired two years ago, but I'm glad he didn't! On 5-27-01 I got to sit in right center field at Camden Yards with my four-year-old son for an O's home game. It was his first O's game. Cal came up with runners on second and third and two outs. Cal poked a single to center and two runs scored as the crowd erupted. What a pleasure it was to explain to my son what Cal had just done. Not many Dads get the opportunity to have a moment like that. Me, my son, and my IDOL! Thank you, Cal. You are the greatest baseball player ever. I will sorely miss you, but what a memory you have given me and my son. Steve Newark, Del. No regrets for Ripken I think it was the right decision. He has given the fans for many years everything they wanted to see out of one player. He has no reason to be sad or feel as if he should hang his head. We all should feel thankful to live in an era when a great player such as Cal was giving us so much entertainment. Kris Titusville, Fla. Ripken's talents will be missed My favorite personal memory was witnessing a homer by Cal during a game in the late '80s at Memorial Stadium. There was nothing particularly crucial about when he hit it--I don't even remember the team or whether the Orioles even won. But he just crushed it beyond the deepest part of the field. From where I was sitting, I could see the tremendous lift the ball got off the sweet spot. I swear, it looked like it was still rising as it left the park, headed for the grass and trees. He knew where that pitch was going to be, even before the pitcher did. John Glenwood, Md. Iron man before the fame This Saturday marks the 20th anniversary of the completion of the longest game in professional baseball history at McCoy Stadium in Pawtucket, R.I. Many people either don't know or forget that Cal Ripken played in this game. This game brought on the first mention of Cal's name in the baseball Hall of Fame. It also gave us a glimpse of what we would see in the future from Cal -- he played the entire 33 innings. These facts have escaped all of the major news outlets and are probably an accomplishment in his career that is worth mentioning. Bob Attleboro, Mass. Retirement long overdue It's about time. Another athlete who can't let go until he has embarrassed himself. If Cal doesn't want all the hoopla involved with announcing his retirement, why didn't he just wait until September? He thrives off attention and since his performance doesn't get publicity, announcing his retirement on Gehrig's birthday and three months before the season ends will give him plenty of attention. I am sure we all will be sick of hearing about it by time it happens. Vivian Aurora, Colo.
Cal Ripken has made the right choice at the right time. He is a true superstar both on and off the field. I hope he stays in the game at some capacity because he is such an important ambassador for the sport of baseball. I will always remember him making the last out in the 1983 World Series against the Phillies and, most of all, having the pleasure of meeting him in person during a visit to Memorial Stadium in 1991. Bill Casselberry, Fla. Ripken gave it his all One of my all-time favorite memories from Cal's career came in a game I was attending at Camden Yards. I think it was '93. It was smack in the middle of the year when all the critics were saying he should take a seat, that he was playing cautiously to keep the streak alive and hurting his team in the process. Cal was at third base and a ball was hit to shallow center. He tagged and came flying home. The ball beat him and Terry Steinbach was right there blocking the plate. Cal, the streak and all, laid Terry flat out. Steinbach not only dropped the ball, he had to leave the game. I saved the newspaper photo of Cal with his shoulder down and Steinbach's neck buckling as his feet left the ground. To me, it epitomizes Cal and his career. Chris Los Angeles Cal should have left at his peak It is about time that he retires. I live in Maryland and I am sick of hearing Ripken praise. He was a good player in his prime, but hasn't been good for 6 or 7 years. He hasn't even been average the last few years. John Elway went out on top, Michael Jordan went out on top, but Cal chose to stay until he was a detriment to a sub-par team. His "all-star" status is a joke. Glaus is twice the third baseman Ripken is. Shea Hillenbrand is more deserving of an all-star selection than Ripken. But as long as he is playing, he will be an all-star. Brett Bel Air, Md. Farewell tour will add to memories Cal Ripken is what baseball should be all about. He came to the ballpark every day ready to play no matter what and wanted to win. Yeah, I do believe it is time for him to quit playing the game he loves and gave so much to. It will be a very sad day at the end of the season when he plays his final games at Camden Yards and the one in Yankee Stadium. The Orioles and baseball will never be the same based upon what Cal brought to the game. I have never seen a professional athlete take as much time before a game talking to fans and providing autographs. Cal, my Orioles hat is tipped to you, because I, not Lou Gehrig, am one of the luckiest people alive because I got see you play the greatest game around. Lance Pine Bluff, Ark. |
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