Cal Ripken 11 years later...
If you're wondering what Cal Ripken does today you can ask him. The guy who broke Lou Gehrig's consecutive game streak writes an "Ask Cal" column in the Baltimore Sun. But that's not all the future Hall of Famer, eligible for induction next year, does. Ripken Baseball, Inc. includes ownership of 2 minor league teams (Aberdeen and Augusta), an amateur baseball league, a foundation, something called "The Ripken Experience" and "Ripken Management & Design". Whew ! "Iron Man" indeed...
11 years ago tonight Ripken played in his 2,131st consective game, breaking Lou Gehrig's record. He played every game for 13 1/2 years and a crowd of 46,272 fans were on hand at Camden Yards in Baltimore and a few million more at home to see him play one more game. With President Bill Clinton, VP Al Gore, Joe DiMaggio and others in attendance Ripken put the cherry on top with a home run in the bottom of the 4th inning. Play was stopped after 4 1/2 innings and for 20 minutes, Ripken ran a victory lap around the field slapping every hand he could reach. Although history was made that night Ripken was a bit embarassed that play had to stop for his celebration. Reflecting on his streak, Ripken was recently asked about the streak and this was his reply: "The streak, being able to play for 21 years and playing in my hometown for my favorite team are things that I will remember. Many times we ask ourselves, if we could go back what would we change ? I wouldn't change a thing"...
The antithesis of the (sadly, few) Cal Ripken's of the world make up our "Love to Hate Top 10" and here's our newly updated list:
- Steve Foley (--) Last week the Chargers linebacker was apparently DUI and shot by an officer when the officer thought he had a gun (he didn't). Foley's girlfriend then tried to run down the officer in the incident. This is the second incident involving the police and Foley and the linebacker is recovering from his wounds. He will not be paid by the Chargers this season...
- Dave Meggett (--) The former Giant, Jet and Patriot RB is accused of rape with someone he's had an on again-off again relationship. This is his 3rd arrest on sexual assault and/or failure to pay child support charges since 1998...
- Trevor Graham (1) Drops to 3 for coaching 3 runners (Jones, Jenkins and Gatlin) who tested positive for banned performance enhancing drugs. He's banned from Olympic training facilities...
- Greg Anderson (--) Barry Bonds trainer held in contempt for refusing to testify before a grand jury. U.S. District Judge William Alsup: "Maybe in 16 months he will change his mind" (the remainder of his prison term)...
- Koren Robinson (--) Viking WR cut from the roster 10 days after a DUI and fleeing the police charge...
- Terrell Owens (3) He may play in his 1st game for Dallas this weekend. Wait till Bledsoe doesn't throw him the ball on every pass play. Tick, tick, tick...
- Alex Rodriguez (4) Even the player who's not the best player in the game gets hot every once in awhile (A-Rod: Do it in the playoffs and help your team win a WS and then we'll talk)...
- (tie) Albert Belle/Maurice Clarett (8/10) Tick...tick...tick...
- Bert ("be home") Blyleven (--) The "be home Blyleven" is courtesy of Chris Berman. The former great curve-baller used 2 profanities during a live broadcast thinking it was a tape. He was suspended for 2 games...
- Ralph Sampson (--) The former ABA/NBA star could serve 2 months for skipping child support...
Ten Timeline Memories...
- [1620] The Pilgrims leave on the Mayflower from Plymouth (UK) to settle in the New World...
- [1959] The 1st Barbie Doll is sold by Matel. It was invented by Ruth Handler (co-founder of Matel). Barbie was named after Ruth's daughter, Ken after her son...
- [1968] Eric Clapton records his guitar solo for the Beatles' "While My Guitar Gently Weeps"...
- [1972] John & Yoko appear on Jerry Lewis' MDA Labor Day Telethon...
- [1975] Czech tennis player Martina Navratilova requests and is granted political asylum at the U.S. Open (Martina is set to retire this year)...
- [1993] Don Henley, Jimmy Buffett, Elton John, Sting and Aerosmith perform at a benefit concert in Boston for Walden Woods...
- [1995] LAPD detective Mark Fuhrman invokes the 5th Amendment against self-incrimination in the O.J. case...
- [1996] Eddie Murray of the Orioles hits his 500th home run becoming only the 3rd player to have at least 3,000 hits and 500 home runs (and that's why Eddie Murray is in the HOF)...
- [1997] More than 2 million people watch the funeral service of Princess Diana, held at Westminster Abbey...
- [2004] Former President Bill Clinton undergoes successful heart bypass surgery at New York Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia...
#1 on this date: 1957] "Diana" - Paul Anka...1971] "Go Away Little Girl" - Donnie Osmond (the first version by Steve Lawrence was also #1 in 1963)...1982] "Hard To Say I'm Sorry" - Chicago...
Recorded on this date: 1957] "White Christmas", "Silent Night" and "Here Comes Santa Claus" - Elvis Presley...
Premiered on this date: 1966] "Star Trek" (NBC-TV)...
[To ensure accuracy of dates and content, multiple reference sources are used in the timeline]...
Commentary...
A couple of e-mails to comment on. Regarding Best/Worst version of "Star Spangled Banner", Phil Degasperis (WCBS-FM): "I guess you don't remember Carl Lewis' rendition from 1993 at the Meadowlands before a Bulls/Nets game. http://www.youtube.com/watch Do a search for Carl Lewis". I did Phil and now I remember how hilarious it was...By the way you can also go to youtube for the "Best" version by Whitney Houston. Joe McCoy mentioned Bob Mathias doing a movie. In Googling I found that "The Bob Mathias Story" was the movie he was most famous for but in addition he made 4 more movies and numerous mini-series appearances...And Paul Manusama celebrates his 21st Birthday today. Happy Birthday Paul...
"Happy Birthday...happy birthday"...
Macy Gray (36), Rosie Perez (42), Jeff Foxworthy (58), Jane Curtin (59), Swoosie Kurtz (62), Roger Waters (62) and JoAnne Worley (69)...
Timeline Countdown: 1 day until NFL kickoff, 28 days until MLB playoffs, 116 days remain in 2006 and The Mets Magic Number stays at: 11...
