Ripken chimes in on A-Rod, steroids
Don't know if you already saw this story on the Web site, but Cal Ripken said at a banquet in Palm Beach, Fla. that he wants to talk to Alex Rodriguez to find out why the best player in baseball would take steroids.
I'd certainly love to be a fly on that wall. Ripken seldom injects himself into controversy, but he and A-Rod appeared to have a special relationship when he was still playing. It was Rodriguez who stepped aside at Cal's final All-Star Game and insisted Ripken play shortstop. A-Rod has said many times that he modeled himself after Ripken, which no longer would be considered great praise after the revelations of the past few months.
Baltimore Sun photo by Lloyd Fox
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Comments
Ripken will one day be the commissioner of baseball.
Posted by: gooooteam | May 15, 2009 6:17 PM
Using the verb "inject" was certainly an interesting word choice there... Intended?
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Pete's reply: No, must have been a Freudian slip.
Posted by: JoeyK | May 15, 2009 6:45 PM
I don't get it. Wouldn't Cal first have had questions for Raffy, a guy he played with? Something is fishy about this and I don't like it. Cal has a sterling reputation and is now telling reporters that he needs to talk with A-rod like he's "not mad, just disappointed" or something like that. This reeks of a PR opportunity, and I never thought Ripken to be that type of guy.
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Pete's reply: Cal and Raffy weren't all that close.
Posted by: Tom | May 15, 2009 6:49 PM
I have the utmost faith in Cal but I would be careful given that he played on the same team as half the Mitchell Report.
He had to know at some level that guys were cheating with the juice.
Posted by: Canice Murphy | May 15, 2009 9:26 PM
I was big fan of Cal growing up, but I think he's being alittle self-serving? Why didn't he speak up when Palmero, Roberts, Bigbie, Segui and Brady all got busted. Playin on a team filled with so many cheaters, how could he not know when he played with them almost everyday? Why did he turn a blind eye back then and not speak out? Great Baltimore icon and now BUSINESS MAN! Come-on, deos anyone really believe his motives are 100% self-less?
Posted by: cman | May 15, 2009 9:38 PM
Good. Stars who never used should be holding these guys feet to the fire! Way to go Cal.
Posted by: Austin | May 15, 2009 10:45 PM
Pete,
Who replaces Eaton in the rotation? Too early for Tillman? Are there any other options at Triple-A? I sure hope Eaton doesn't get another start, how much more does this team need to see?
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Pete's reply: I have to believe we're getting close to the end of the Eaton experiment, but I'm not sure whether they bring up a real prospect or a stopgap. They are very conscious of rushing somebody like Tilllman.
Posted by: Jon | May 16, 2009 12:02 AM
Given the "official" announcement Dan Connolly reported tonight of Rich Hill's Saturday start, I'd have to say that of all the roster options mentioned, I'd add another: Release Eaton. This guy, bless his heart, is done. He is NOT going to help the team this year – or ever. Don't ya think?
Have fun at the race, Pete. Hope your favored horse repeats what Cal's did.
Posted by: bobthe1st | May 16, 2009 12:13 AM
I'd hate to say it because I think Rodriguez is a great player, but he can never be as great as Cal now. And I remember that All-Star game. That was a great moment.
Posted by: Daniel | May 16, 2009 8:02 AM
I think Cal and the rest of us should just ignore Arod. He's not going to tell Cal the truth anyway..
Hopefully, last night's debacle will mercifully put on end to Eaton's 'career'. I can't believe he threw 'luck' into the equation-something to the effect that he hasn't had much?? The word luck as it applies to Adam Eaton is that he is 'lucky' the O's were so desperate to give him this many starts and the AL is 'lucky' to get to face him(and 'unlucky' that hopefully, that won't happen too much longer!)
Posted by: TerryP | May 16, 2009 8:07 AM
If Ripken was clean then he should be out in front as the face of all the guys not taking the stuff. I feel bad for the guys who have to sit quietly by (with little ESPN/media coverage) while all the losers are getting all the air time.
Why did he take it? Duh, money, fame, glory, history, ego...
Posted by: Mick | May 16, 2009 11:12 AM
To me, the interesting thing about Eaton is that he would make the same money even if he wasn't playing at all. He's actually doing it because he still loves it. He's gotta be struggling mentally that at 31, it looks to be all over; too bad for the guy. But yeah, we can't take any more.
Posted by: Almost Believin' | May 16, 2009 2:05 PM
Rip, why waste your time? I wouldn't even let this guy hold your dirty jock!
Posted by: csquare | May 16, 2009 3:30 PM
to Mr cman, Brady has never been outed for steroids to my knowledge, but according to the Mitchell report, there were many, many other teammates of Cal that were, including his understudy, Manny Alexander. And as you recall, Jay Gibbons was the most outspoken and outraged of Orioles when Raffy tested positive. Perhaps Ripken should invoke a "no comment" response rather than inject his opinion.
Posted by: onceawarrior | May 17, 2009 12:10 PM
Pete, Do you have any info on Chorye Spoone?
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Pete's reply: He's still rehabbing. He's on the Frederick roster, but currently on the inactive list.
Posted by: Larry Johnson | May 17, 2009 9:27 PM