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Just rewatched - maybe for the first time since 1994 - Cal’s 2131 game.
Everyone remembers the HR, everyone remembers the banner ceremony, and Cal’s victory lap.
But I forgot a whole lot from that game.
Everyone remembers the HR, everyone remembers the banner ceremony, and Cal’s victory lap.
But I forgot a whole lot from that game.
1. Cal’s HR, in the fourth inning, was the second in a back-to-back.
It followed a home from Bobby Bonilla, who had yet to begin a million dollar streak of his own with the New York Mets
It followed a home from Bobby Bonilla, who had yet to begin a million dollar streak of his own with the New York Mets
2. There were quite a few home runs in that game.
Two of them came from future Non-Hall of Famer Raphael Palmeiro
Guess he took the wrong lesson from that night?
Two of them came from future Non-Hall of Famer Raphael Palmeiro
Guess he took the wrong lesson from that night?
(By the way, I was at Cal’s game 2130, and watched 2131 from my rented rowhouse in Hampden.
Had 4 seats - vertically. In different rows.
Got to stand next to my father as the banner turned.
And Cal hit one out)
Had 4 seats - vertically. In different rows.
Got to stand next to my father as the banner turned.
And Cal hit one out)
Okay, back to it:
3. Ernie Banks was there. Hank Aaron was there. So was David Robinson, President Clinton, Chelsea, Al Gore...
And Joe DiMaggio (who played with Gehrig)
3. Ernie Banks was there. Hank Aaron was there. So was David Robinson, President Clinton, Chelsea, Al Gore...
And Joe DiMaggio (who played with Gehrig)
3a. Joe looked happy enough - until about 12 min into the Ripken game-pause spontaneous celebration
Then, not so much.
Just an observation
Then, not so much.
Just an observation
4. Ripken’s first AB after his HR, and after the - I think it was 26 minute delay - was with the bases loaded.
He hit the first pitch to the 2B, and ended the inning
But he was aiming for the RCF gap - for the RBI’s, not the slam
He hit the first pitch to the 2B, and ended the inning
But he was aiming for the RCF gap - for the RBI’s, not the slam
5. The local cable broadcaster, the old HTS, held a live q&a during the game.
Using new technology - the internet.
It was done via an AOL chat room
Using new technology - the internet.
It was done via an AOL chat room
6. Mike Mussina started for the O’s, and went into the 8th, getting the win.
Appropriate, as the franchise arm at the time
He threw 140+ pitches
The broadcast team described that as “getting up there”
Appropriate, as the franchise arm at the time
He threw 140+ pitches
The broadcast team described that as “getting up there”
7. Biggest surprise I had forgotten:
Jesse Orosco got the save for the O’s (came in in the 8th for a 4-out save)
Making him part of at least three of my all-time greatest baseball memories
Jesse Orosco got the save for the O’s (came in in the 8th for a 4-out save)
Making him part of at least three of my all-time greatest baseball memories
8. I do not remember the score of the game
I just watched it - and I already don’t care
Orioles won, Cal hit one out, banner, victory lap
I just watched it - and I already don’t care
Orioles won, Cal hit one out, banner, victory lap
I have certainly never been a part of one city’s complete and utter adoration for an athlete
Not sure how many I can think of even come close, especially in the free agent era
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Not sure how many I can think of even come close, especially in the free agent era
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