8B
Wednesday, September 6, 1995
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UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
GEHRIG and RIPKEN
*included prorated shares of signing bonuses, earned incentive bonus; '81 salary based on full season in majors; '95 salary reduced by 11.11 percent for games canceled by strike; '98 salary; $6.6 million; '97; $8.6 million; post career; $2 million SOURCE: AP Labor Department research by RIX GLOP
The Oakland NINETY TWENTYTH
Ripken ties Gehrig's record
The Associated Press
BALITMORE — It seemed to be a rather innocent idea at the time — put some over-sized numbers on the old B&O Warehouse outside Camden Yards and count up Cal Ripken's consecutive-game streak.
When the game becomes official, the numbers are flipped to coincide with Ripken's remarkable streak. The ceremony has become an emotion-charged event that has brought some fans to tears and has clearly had an effect on the man of honor.
He's not embarrassed anymore. Overwhelmed is a more accurate word to describe his feelings as the crowd roars and the number changes. The running total hit 2-1-3-0 last night, and Ripken is poised to set the record tonight.
The ritual began Aug. 14 during a game against the Cleveland Indians, when the Baltimore Orioles' shortstop played in his 2,109th consecutive game — 21 short of matching Lou Gehrig's record of 2,130. At the appropriate time, the Orioles mascot peeked his head out of a warehouse window and motioned to change the 10-foot numbers on the brick wall to 2-10-9.
With a stirring song from the movie "Top Gun" blaring over the loudspeakers, the final number in the sequence switched from 8 to 9 as the crowd stood and cheered Ripken, who seemed a bit uncomfortable with all the attention.
"It really has been a wonderful thing to see the number change like that," he said. "Seeing that big number up there, it makes me realize just how many games that really is."
The Orioles considered counting down to the
"With Cal, it's much more fitting to count up." Julie Wagner, the Orioles' director of community relations, said Monday before Game No. 2,129. "Even if the streak stopped today, it's still amazing."
record, but decided it would be better to list the number of consecutive games played.
Spiro Alafassos, the Orioles' event coordinator, has noticed how Ripken's reaction to the countdown has changed over the past two weeks.
"It's typical of Cal's nature to be embarrassed about any outpouring of gratitude," Alafassos said. "But even he is taken aback by how huge this has gotten."
The Seattle Mariners joined in the standing ovation Sunday, and the California Angels did the same Monday. Ripken's teammates have gotten caught up in the ceremony, too.
You start getting goose bumps all over your body when the number drops," third baseman Jeff Manto said. "It elevates the emotion, no doubt about it. It's probably the perfect way to reacompose the streak."
It almost didn't happen. The Orioles front office was concerned that the huge, black numbers would cheapen the majestic appearance of the warehouse.
Management relented, but then there was the matter of convincing Ripken.
"We approached Cal with the idea, and he reluctantly agreed," Alafassos said. "Our pitch to him was to allow fans who weren't going to be here for the two final nights to enjoy the moment."
The players, too.
"I think the players are more into it," Manto said,
"because we're the ones who realize just what it takes to get there."
KC Royals call Hammer up to majors
The Associated Press
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Bob "The Hammer" Hamelin, last year's American League rookie of the year, who has been a major disappointment this season, was among four players called up by the Kansas City Royals on Monday when major league rosters expanded.
Hamelin, who hit 24 home runs, batted .282 and drove in 82 runs in his rookie season, was sent to Class AAA Omaha July 29 while in a one-for-28 slump. It was his second trip of the season to Omaha.
Hamelin had hit five home runs this season for Kansas City.
Hamelin batted .294 in 36 games at Omaha, hitting 10 home runs and driving in 36 runs.
The Royals also called up outfielder Les Norman from Omaha, catcher Mike Sweeney from Class AA Wilmington and pitcher Rusty Mecham from Class AA Springfield.
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