NetShrine
08-31-2001, 06:17 AM
I don't think he can make 27 of 29 - unless they are token appearances - which he won't do. Thoughts?
Thursday, August 30
Ripken needs to play in 27 of last 29 games
Associated Press
BALTIMORE -- Cal Ripken can become the seventh major league player to play in 3,000 games -- if his 41-year-old body can withstand a rigorous final month.
Ripken has played in 2,973 games, meaning he needs to play in 27 of the Baltimore Orioles' final 29 games to reach 3,000. The third baseman will retire after this season, his 21st in the major leagues.
The only six players ever to reach 3,000 games are: Pete Rose (the leader with 3,562), Carl Yastrzemski, Hank Aaron, Ty Cobb, Eddie Murray and Stan Musial.
Orioles manager Mike Hargrove said he will make every effort to give Ripken an opportunity to add his name to the list.
"Cal is going to play as much as Cal's stamina and health will let him play. If that means that he gets 3,000, then I'm all for it," Hargrove said. "If he doesn't, then that's just the way it is."
Ripken was in the starting lineup Thursday against Oakland, his 18th start in 19 games. But the third baseman was hitless over his previous three games and stuck in a 5-for-37 funk that dropped his batting average from .276 to .262.
"I'm certainly not going to hold Cal out of the lineup arbitrarily," Hargrove said. "But we are trying to win ball games, and Cal is retiring for a reason. On that one, the chips will fall where they may."
Hargrove has been booed in various ballparks this season on nights he keeps Ripken out of the starting lineup.
Thursday, August 30
Ripken needs to play in 27 of last 29 games
Associated Press
BALTIMORE -- Cal Ripken can become the seventh major league player to play in 3,000 games -- if his 41-year-old body can withstand a rigorous final month.
Ripken has played in 2,973 games, meaning he needs to play in 27 of the Baltimore Orioles' final 29 games to reach 3,000. The third baseman will retire after this season, his 21st in the major leagues.
The only six players ever to reach 3,000 games are: Pete Rose (the leader with 3,562), Carl Yastrzemski, Hank Aaron, Ty Cobb, Eddie Murray and Stan Musial.
Orioles manager Mike Hargrove said he will make every effort to give Ripken an opportunity to add his name to the list.
"Cal is going to play as much as Cal's stamina and health will let him play. If that means that he gets 3,000, then I'm all for it," Hargrove said. "If he doesn't, then that's just the way it is."
Ripken was in the starting lineup Thursday against Oakland, his 18th start in 19 games. But the third baseman was hitless over his previous three games and stuck in a 5-for-37 funk that dropped his batting average from .276 to .262.
"I'm certainly not going to hold Cal out of the lineup arbitrarily," Hargrove said. "But we are trying to win ball games, and Cal is retiring for a reason. On that one, the chips will fall where they may."
Hargrove has been booed in various ballparks this season on nights he keeps Ripken out of the starting lineup.