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Cal Ripken's Legacy


TonySoprano

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I've never this many people go on uproar on this forum because some expressed an opinion. Granted from a numbers standpoint it's hard to defend Ripken saying Beltre is a better defensive 3B than Brooks. As an overall player it's not, but whatever.

People here are acting like Brooks' onfield tenure as an Oriole was so legendary that any negative word about his ability as a player should be thrown out. I got news for you all. Brooks isn't Pujols, he's not Mays, he's not Aaron. He's not some untouchable baseball talent and he sure as hell isn't a better player than Ripken was.

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Gee you're so gracious. Thank You. As Tony says it wasn't a mere slip of the tongue it was a prepared talking point that he chose to go with for his own gain. Everything Cal says is carefully considered.

Over the course of a three hour baseball game where he's required to fill air...right....

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Over the course of a three hour baseball game where he's required to fill air...right....
That's right. That's why they prepare lists of potential talking points to be referred to when the situation arises. Most of these guys aren't that good at ad libbing. No doubt the Beltre/Brooks comparison was one of them. But again why take it up with me? Take it up with Tony.
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That's right. That's why they prepare lists of potential talking points to be referred to when the situation arises. Most of these guys aren't that good at ad libbing. No doubt the Beltre/Brooks comparison was one of them. But again why take it up with me? Take it up with Tony.

This is great. So you guys think Cal had a talking points list that looked something like this, I guess:

1. Make sure to mention Beltre is better than Brooks.

2. Good stuff about Yankees front office.

3. Tradition! What makes Yankees such a great franchise.

4. Mention Sabathia contract as good get.

5. Mention why ARod contract not "that bad".

6. If opportunity arises, take shot at Red Sox.

7. If opportunity arises, take shot at Mets.

8. Mention you think Jeffrey Maier replay was inconclusive.

9. Question for booth -- if you could go into Hall wearing any hat, which would you wear? (Mention hard to say no to interlocking NY!)

10. Lament you only got shot at one World Series -- much respect for Yankees consistency (mention happy Mussina got to experience more postseasons with NY).

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Remember, players are different than fans. We live and die with the team, they play the game and get paid. We follow the same team over generations, they often play for many different teams. We root for the name on the front of the uni....they are often friends with the names on the back.

I can't say for certain...but I would bet most of us on this board have a deeper love for the Orioles than most players who have played for the team do. I think Ripken loved the team when he played for them, and still has a fondness for the organization. But let's face it, Cal doesn't watch 162 games a year, or live and die with the team today. He has career goals. I don't think he lost any sleep during last years playoffs after a loss. I'm sure he would like to see the O's win another WS, but the O's were a former employer to him and a business partner today. Not a deep passion.

Many off us lose sleep after a bad game...I bet Cal watches few games today, and I'm sure he's not losing any sleep.

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I think many would dispute Cal being the greatest player in the history of the franchise. Cal wasn't even the best player on the team when his team's made the post-season. Eddie was better. Frank was better. While it is hard to compare pitchers to everyday players, I believe Palmer was a better pitcher than Cal was as a hitter/infielder.

He was the best player on the team. During his career Ripken had the highest WAR on the team seven times, including 1983. Also, Ripken spent his entire career in Baltimore whereas Murray spent 12 1/2 years and F. Robinson only six.

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He was the best player on the team. During his career Ripken had the highest WAR on the team seven times, including 1983. Also, Ripken spent his entire career in Baltimore whereas Murray spent 12 1/2 years and F. Robinson only six.

Cal almost certainly had the best single-season and career performances in team history. There may be some best five consecutive seasons metric where he is just shy of Frank or something...

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For you guys who think Cal just misspoke a bit but only by "mistake," can I ask why suddenly in one series did Cal appear so slanted towards the Yankees and why he went out of his way to take on a widely held opinion around baseball and especially in Baltimore that Brooks Robinson was the greatest defensive third baseman of all time? For a guy who was so careful over 30 years, why the sudden "slip ups?"

It seems like this corresponds nicely with his desire to get back into baseball and to spread his Ripken baseball brand nationally. I don't know Cal personally but I do here the whispers within this community. He's respected, but not exactly beloved like he is by the fans who only see the side Cal wants them to see.

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I would imagine there have been many dozens if not hundreds of MLB managers who had no prior managerial or coaching experience. Prior to WWII it was pretty common to fire the manager and then just appoint your 26-year-old second baseman. Before WWII there just weren't many coaching jobs, either.

Robin Ventura's first professional managerial job was with the White Sox last year, and he also had no prior coaching experience.

Ventura's OJT really worked well as he led the White Sox to a 63-99 record. I rest my case.

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For you guys who think Cal just misspoke a bit but only by "mistake," can I ask why suddenly in one series did Cal appear so slanted towards the Yankees and why he went out of his way to take on a widely held opinion around baseball and especially in Baltimore that Brooks Robinson was the greatest defensive third baseman of all time? For a guy who was so careful over 30 years, why the sudden "slip ups?"

It seems like this corresponds nicely with his desire to get back into baseball and to spread his Ripken baseball brand nationally. I don't know Cal personally but I do here the whispers within this community. He's respected, but not exactly beloved like he is by the fans who only see the side Cal wants them to see.

I hated his post season work last year.

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For you guys who think Cal just misspoke a bit but only by "mistake," can I ask why suddenly in one series did Cal appear so slanted towards the Yankees and why he went out of his way to take on a widely held opinion around baseball and especially in Baltimore that Brooks Robinson was the greatest defensive third baseman of all time? For a guy who was so careful over 30 years, why the sudden "slip ups?"

It seems like this corresponds nicely with his desire to get back into baseball and to spread his Ripken baseball brand nationally. I don't know Cal personally but I do here the whispers within this community. He's respected, but not exactly beloved like he is by the fans who only see the side Cal wants them to see.

The issue I have is that what you (and "Gordo") are saying doesn't make any sense. Who is he gaining traction with by coming off as "pro Yankee"? From a business standpoint, the Ripken Baseball brand isn't helped or hurt by a "pro Yankee" slant. What on earth is he gaining by stating he thinks Beltre is a better defender than Robinson? Is there some sort of big MLB Radio gig available to fans of Yankees and Beltre?

I think you guys are all tilting at windmills. It's fine to say you don't think Cal is a rah rah Baltimore guy. But I don't see anything calculated or insidious in any of his TV showings.

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The issue I have is that what you (and "Gordo") are saying doesn't make any sense. Who is he gaining traction with by coming off as "pro Yankee"? From a business standpoint, the Ripken Baseball brand isn't helped or hurt by a "pro Yankee" slant. What on earth is he gaining by stating he thinks Beltre is a better defender than Robinson? Is there some sort of big MLB Radio gig available to fans of Yankees and Beltre?

I think you guys are all tilting at windmills. It's fine to say you don't think Cal is a rah rah Baltimore guy. But I don't see anything calculated or insidious in any of his TV showings.

Exactly. There is nothing to really be gained, despite what they keep alleging.

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The issue I have is that what you (and "Gordo") are saying doesn't make any sense. Who is he gaining traction with by coming off as "pro Yankee"? From a business standpoint, the Ripken Baseball brand isn't helped or hurt by a "pro Yankee" slant. What on earth is he gaining by stating he thinks Beltre is a better defender than Robinson? Is there some sort of big MLB Radio gig available to fans of Yankees and Beltre?

I think you guys are all tilting at windmills. It's fine to say you don't think Cal is a rah rah Baltimore guy. But I don't see anything calculated or insidious in any of his TV showings.

Cal has a lot to gain from being seen a National guy and not a Baltimore guy. More endorsements, speaking opportunities, business opportunities, TV opportunities and so forth. Just because you choose to not believe it does not make it so. Ask around in some circles away from this board from people in the know and then see how you feel about the situation.

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Exactly. There is nothing to really be gained, despite what they keep alleging.

Ha, you are like the big guy in the cartoons that after the smart guy says something, he says, "Yeah!" ;)

BTW, I don't expect some people to get it. It's easier to have their idol then realize the idol may have chinks in his armor. Taking on Cal is not always a popular thing, especially in here or where other fans have their say, but I have enough information outside of my opinion to make me feel confident enough to say so here. I have nothing against Cal for doing this by the way. I don't particularly like what he did and yes, I've lost some respect for him, but at the same time, he has every right to go out and make any business decision he feels is in his best interest.

I'd be lying if I said the pull of money does not effect many decisions for many people, including myself.

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