[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 134 (Tuesday, October 9, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1832]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING CAL RIPKEN, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. ELIJAH E. CUMMINGS

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, October 2, 2001

  Mr. CUMMINGS. Mr. Speaker, I come to the floor to support this 
resolution offered by two of my Maryland colleagues, Representatives 
Cardin and Ehrlich, honoring Cal Ripken, Jr., the current 3rd baseman 
for the Baltimore Orioles and baseball's ``Iron Man,'' for his 
contributions to baseball and the community.
  Cal Ripken is involved in numerous philanthropic activities, 
including the Kelly & Cal Ripken, Jr. Foundation, started in 1992, 
which primarily support community adult and family literacy, youth 
recreation, and health-related programs in the greater Baltimore area. 
He and his wife, Kelly, also support adult literacy through Baltimore 
Reads, Inc.
  We are here to acknowledge a person that gives back so much to his 
community and we thank him. However, we are here today to primarily 
honor Cal Ripken as a great baseball player.
  Cal Ripken joined the Baltimore Orioles in 1982 and has stayed with 
the same team throughout his long and impressive career. The 1982 
American League Rookie of the Year and a two-time American League MVP, 
Cal was elected to start in the 2001 All-Star Game. It was his 19th 
consecutive All-Star nomination and a record 17th as a starter. Ripken 
was presented the Commissioner's Historic Achievement Award during the 
2001 All-Star Game, by Commissioner Bud Selig. It is only appropriate 
that Cal was also named the game's MVP during his last appearance at an 
All-Star game. On September 4, 2001, Cal Ripken, Jr., hit his 600th 
double, joining Hank Aaron, Stan Musial and Carl Yastremski as the only 
players with 600 doubles, 400 home runs, 5,000 total bases and 3,000 
hits.
  His performance this year is indicative of his entire career.
  As a review,
  Cal became the second player in 1991, in major league history to be 
named the leagues' MVP, Major League player of the year, All-Star Game 
MVP, and winner of a Gold Glove in the same season.
  Cal broke Lou Gehrig's record of 2,130 consecutive games played.
  Cal played every day for several years, finally sitting down in 1995, 
after having played in 2,632 games.
  Cal holds the Major League record for consecutive games played. He is 
one of seven players in the history of the game to amass more than 
3,000 hits and more than 400 home runs.
  Cal led the Baltimore Orioles to World Series victory in 1983.
  These remarkable accomplishments mark just the highlights of an 
outstanding baseball player.
  In the field and off, he has built a strong reputation as a leader. 
Eleven teams have held special tributes to honor the ``Iron Man'' since 
he announced his retirement. Cal's last farewell game will be this 
Saturday during a rescheduled game played at home. Baltimore City, the 
Nation, and Major League Baseball will miss Cal. He brought character, 
dignity, and loyalty to the game of baseball and the Orioles franchise.
  I urge all my colleagues to support this resolution and support a 
great sports hero.

                          ____________________