Ripken Visits Anaheim, Doesn’t Play

by Geoff Young on Jul 30, 2001

Before I get started on Saturday night’s Orioles-Angels game, I need to make two things clear:

  1. We dropped $25 per ticket and drove 90 minutes each way specifically to see Cal Ripken play.
  2. Cal Ripken did not play.

Tony Batista started at third base and drew loud boos each time he came up to bat. But at least he had a sense of humor about it, even acknowledging the fans his final time up, when he was greeted with chants of “We Want Cal!”

Orioles’ skipper Mike Hargrove was less understanding and took a stance that must have driven his club’s marketing folks crazy back home, calling the fans’ behavior “absolutely uncalled for” and being quoted as saying “…if people want to be sure they see Cal, they’re going to have to buy tickets to every game.”

Unfortunately, Hargrove did not take me up on my request for four tickets to Sunday’s game, gas money, and a written explanation to all affected of why I had to abandon my previous plans to watch a ballgame.

As for the game itself, Scott Spiezio hit two homers to right-center for the Angels. Larry Bigbie hit his first big-league homer for the Orioles. He and fellow rookie Brian Roberts looked solid, and like they could be contributors in the future. Overall it was a good game but definitely tainted by Cal’s absence.

Also, as threatened, I finally have pictures. They’re not great but they’ll have to do:

Enjoy!

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