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07/22/2007 6:01 PM ET
Cal Ripken's Golden Hall of Fame moment will also benefit Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation
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Baltimore - As the saying goes, he was as good as gold. And oh so dependable.
That was Baltimore Orioles classic All-Star Cal Ripken, Jr., who for so many years showed up for work day in and day out and played the game of baseball on a level that earned him the respect of his teammates as well as his peers. Now the ultimate honor awaits this native Baltimore product.
On Sunday, July 29, the Iron Man of Baseball will be enshrined in the game's most sacred and honored resting place when he joins the greats of the game in the Baseball Hall of Fame.
To honor this special moment, Nikco Sports announced it is producing a limited number of gold baseballs, with display cases, to recognize one of the true legends of sports, and a project that will potentially raise thousands of dollars for the non-profit organization named after his late father, the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation.
In recent years, Nikco Sports has generated more than $1.5 million for children's charities around the country.
Only 5,000 of the GOLD baseballs will be produced, and each is priced at only $39.95 with display case, with $4 from each sale going to the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation. Fans can order by calling toll-free 1-800-345-2868 or by visiting the website at www.nikcosports.com. Each GOLD baseball will come with an individually numbered certificate of authenticity, suitable for framing, and will add to the overall value of this historic piece of sports memorabilia.
The baseballs are officially licensed by major league baseball, and the project is fully supported by the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation.
Fans also can order an officially licensed, limited edition (2,007 pieces) photo collage that commemorates Cal Ripken Jr.'s election into the Hall of Fame, an item that is handsomely framed and double matted. The presentation measures 15" x 17", with a National Baseball Hall Of Fame Class of 2007 collectors pin and engraved plate with several career highlights about Ripken. A portion of the proceeds from the framed photo plaques will also benefit the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation.
Ripken's workmanlike dependability got him his well-earned nickname of "Iron Man" of baseball, as he played in 2,632 consecutive games, a mark that spanned 16 seasons from May 30, 1982 to September 20, 1998. The 2-time MVP Award winner revolutionized his position and paved the way for the future shortstops. The 1982 Rookie of the Year award winner smashed Lou Gehrig's endurance mark of 2,131 games on September 6, 1995, a number that had stood for 56 years. During his unbelievable streak, Ripken was in the lineup 99.8 percent of the time, rarely sitting for even an inning.
Ripken's career began in 1981 and ended after the 2001 season-all with the Baltimore Orioles. During that time, he made the All-Star team 19 times, and at 6 foot, 4 inches pioneered the way for taller and larger shortstops.
Ripken is a member of the 3,000 hit club (3,184 hits) and finished with 431 homers and a .276 lifetime batting mark. He also was his league's Most Valuable Player in 1983 when the Orioles won the World Series, and again in 1991. Ripken had a lifetime mark of .336 in six post-season series.
In high school, Ripken was a standout pitcher and shortstop at Aberdeen High, only 30 miles or so from where the Orioles played at Memorial Stadium, and where Cal's father coached. In fact, legend has it that former Orioles manager Earl Weaver had to convince members of his scouting department to draft Ripken as an everyday player, NOT as a pitcher.
But coming to the Orioles to fill the legendary shoes of Brooks Robinson was an uneasy burden for a young player; Doug DeCinces had tried that in the late 1970s and failed. Now it was Ripken's turn to discover this difficult transition.
In 1982, his first full year in the big leagues, although he homered on Opening Day, Cal went into a deep slump (4-for-55). But it was a chance encounter with Reggie Jackson during a conversation with Jackson who was standing on third base which got Cal going in a positive direction. From that day on, his average began to climb, from .141 to .284. By the end of 1982, he had 23 homers and 93 RBI and beat out Wade Boggs and Kent Hrbek to win AL Rookie of the Year honors.
He was on his way. The next season he moved to shortstop and the rest became history.
"Cal Ripken, Jr. stood for so many old-fashioned values," noted Nikco Sports CEO Craig Bidner, who named his own son after Ripken. "He was all business on the field, showing up to play each and every day. Off the field, he remains a great role model for youngsters. So it's a really big honor for my company to play a small part in his Hall of Fame week, and we're really proud to be associated with the foundation that is named after his father."
Many of Nikco Sports' projects have honored amateur and professional teams (Super Bowl, World Series, NBA, NHL, NASCAR and NCAA) and have recognized some of the greatest athletes such as (baseball) Ozzie Smith, Mark McGwire, Kirby Puckett, Ryne Sandberg, Randy Johnson, Ichiro, Paul Molitor, Pedro Martinez, Greg Maddux, Roger Clemens, Jim Thome, Adam Dunn, Nolan Ryan, Ken Griffey, Jr. and Edgar Martinez; (football) John Elway, Dan Marino, Troy Aikman, Jim Kelly, Peyton Manning, Jerome Bettis, Ben Roethlisberger, Carson Palmer, Brett Favre, Emmitt Smith and Kurt Warner; (basketball) Magic Johnson, LeBron James, John Stockton, David Robinson and Isiah Thomas; (motor sports) Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart, Dale Earnhardt and Dale Earnhardt, Jr; (golf) Tiger Woods.
About the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation: It is a (501)(c)(3) non-profit organization, founded in 2001 by members of the Ripken family in memory of their patriarch, Cal, Sr. The Foundation creates baseball and softball programs and facilities that positively impact disadvantaged youth by combining the principles represented by the Ripken name, the power of Cal, Jr., as a modern day hero and role model, and the universal appeal of baseball. The Foundation strives to provide once-in-a-lifetime experiences that use the magic of the big leagues to inspire kids to be the best they can be. . .to dream a dream that someday they can achieve great things.
Today, more than 15 million American kids struggle with poverty, obesity, poor quality of education, the lack of adult role models, or the persistent presence of drugs and violence. Through baseball and softball, the Foundation works with kids in need to instill leadership qualities, a strong worth ethic, sportsmanship and healthy habits.
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