Too Much Worry On Last Cal Day

[NetShrine]

You know that I'm a big Ripken fan - but, this is getting crazy (not even mentioning all the crazy stuff they have planned for that last day). It's too much. I mean, say he throws his back out and his last game ends up being game number 159 of the season. Then, all this jumping through hoops is moot. We should be worried about more important things now. Don't even get me started on all those 9/23 ticket holders lobbying. Take a look towards the Pentagon guys - - all of a sudden, your beef looks very small.

September 15, 9:33 AM ET
O's mulling dates, times for Ripken finale
ESPN.com news services

BALTIMORE -- Cal Ripken will close out his Hall of Fame career in front of his home fans -- but the exact date and time of the game is still up in the air.

In the wake of Tuesday's terrorist attacks, baseball commissioner Bud Selig on Thursday postponed games through the weekend and ordered them to be made up after the scheduled end of the season.

That leaves the Baltimore Orioles with six home dates after Oct. 1, which means Ripken is now scheduled to end his stellar career at Camden Yards in a game against the Boston Red Sox, likely either Oct. 6 or 7.

On Oct. 7, the Super Bowl champion Baltimore Ravens are scheduled to have a home game against Tennessee. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET. The Orioles would rather not have Ripken's final game come up against the Ravens, the Baltimore Sun reported on Saturday. The Orioles have suggested they play the game Oct. 8 -- the day before the rescheduled postseason is supposed to begin -- but this appears to be a longshot. It is also extremely unlikely that the Ravens' starting time would be switched.

Another option would be for the Orioles to have Ripken's finale in prime time on Oct. 7, so it would not conflict with the NFL game. Final word on when this game will be scheduled is expected next week. And of course it is still possible the Ravens' schedule may change as well -- the NFL is still trying to figure out what to do with the 15 games that were not played in Week 2.

The Orioles are further hampered by Friday's announcement from Major League Baseball that games will not be played Oct. 1. This means there is no way the Orioles can squeeze seven rescheduled games against the Blue Jays and Red Sox into a five-day window.

Orioles director of public relations Bill Stetka said the team will petition the commissioner's office to allow the Blue Jays to play at Camden Yards and the Red Sox to begin their three-game road series against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays on Oct. 1. By doing so, the Orioles could begin their four-game series against the Red Sox on Oct. 4 and follow with a day-night doubleheader on either Oct. 5 or Oct. 6.

"Everybody else's schedule has been set," Stetka told the Sun. "All we've been told is there are some scheduling issues with the New York-based teams. ... and we have a conflict with the Ravens."

Another less likely possibility is the Orioles being allowed to spread seven games over seven days while completing their season on the same day as every other team. While a season finale played hours after a Ravens home game represents a worst-case scenario for the Orioles, Foss said the club's lobbying efforts are finished. "We personally take our lead from the commissioner's office. We recognize the desires of any individual team do not compare to the level of complexity that this rescheduling poses," Foss said.

Ripken, who announced in June that he will end his 21-year career after this season, was originally supposed to play his final home game on Sept. 23 and his last game at Yankee Stadium on Sept. 30.

Many fans paid huge fees to secure tickets to those games. The hot ticket now, evidently, is the one dated Sept. 16, which becomes the last game of the season.

The Orioles announced on Friday that tickets for what would have been Sunday's sold-out game against the Red Sox will now be honored for the season's final game. Those holding tickets to the Sept. 23 game against the New York Yankees -- originally scheduled as Ripken's final home game -- will not be allowed exchanges.

The Orioles have begun to receive an expected flood of calls protesting their decision not to honor the Sept. 23 tickets for Ripken's final home game. Many of the calls came from fans who had either paid much more than face value for seats or made travel plans to witness the celebration. The Orioles are contemplating alternative arrangements -- such as a Fan Appreciation Day -- for Sept. 23.

Ripken took no pleasure in the change of events because of the tragic circumstances involved.

"Everyone's been shaken to the core," Ripken said Thursday. "Baseball is a great sport, it's fun, it's entertaining, it provides a service to society. But in the grand scheme of things, it's very minuscule. When you're thinking about what's happened, you don't really get too energized about baseball. ...

"In a perfect world, yeah, I'd like to be able to celebrate the end with the people who have been here the whole time."

Ripken and the Orioles gathered at Camden Yards for a workout Thursday, their first time together since flying home from Seattle on Sunday night.

Orioles manager Mike Hargrove agreed with the decision to postpone the games.

"Yesterday, listening to our president say that we need to get back to our normal lives as soon as possible, I thought it was maybe appropriate that we go back and play," he said. "I'm not so sure I feel that way now.

"Everything has its place. There are 4,700 people in New York that are unaccounted for, the people in Washington at the Pentagon, the people who died on those planes ... the need to play a baseball game kind of pales in comparison. While you'd like to get back to work, I don't know that now is the time to do that."

Hargrove, however, thought it was appropriate that Ripken ends his career in Baltimore.

"I think it will be special," Hargrove said. "Baltimore will appreciate it. Speaking for the team, I think we'd all appreciate that, too."

Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.

[Surhofffan]

I am glad that Cal's probable last game will be in Baltimore, even though I would have rather not have it happen this way. I don't think it matters a huge amount, though.

As for the Sept. 23 game ticket holders complaining? What's WRONG with you people? Don't you realize a NATIONAL TRAGEDY led to this, therefore it's not in the control of baseball? You took the risk of spending hundreds/thousands of dollars for tickets. How could you be graping about it to others at a time like this? Screw you all who fit into this category.

[NetShrine]

Agreed Surhofffan. When you buy a ticket, you take your chances. Suppose none of this happened, and 9/23 was his "last game" - but, on 9/23 it poured so hard that they called the came - thus making 9/22 his last game in Baltimore? Would they cry then too?

[BuzzBuzzard]

People's priorities are all F'ed up. Those daring to complain about the resceduling are not Americans at heart, but callous insensitive idiot.

[NetShrine]

Originally posted by BuzzBuzzard
People's priorities are all F'ed up. Those daring to complain about the resceduling are not Americans at heart, but callous insensitive idiot.

They're probably not even serious baseball fans.

[Lester]

Well get this.....I have had many arguments and heated discussions with others about Cal. He should play every game because he is retiring, people are driving for miles to see him, it's not fair yadadadada....basically my point has been and will be get a life....you have one right now many others lost theirs and Cal's last game is the most important thing to you? Sheeshhh...and I'm a die hard Oriole fan.

[NetShrine]

Ditto Lester.

[hmrsf]

Ripkens last game in Fenway 9/27, she shoots, she hits, score!!!! Mom is great!

Been trying to get these tickets for awhile. The alumni association had us on the waiting list and boooom, the call came.

Had 3 near misses. 1st, I was the grand prize winner at a golf tourney. Not the tickets but some lame casino trip and champange. 2nd, the athletic trainer is having a reception, but mom forgot to turn in the form. 3rd, #200 on a waiting list.

Well today is my lucky day! Can the RS win too, or am I pushing it?

[NetShrine]

Congratulations!

I have tickets for what was supposed to be his last game, 9/30, but, with the terror attacks, that's all moot. May still go - it will be his last game in NYC.

Make sure to tell us about the game!

I'm nuts about some stuff, but, there's something cool about an O's-Sox game at Fenway. It's just "so American League" to me. Of course, I expect the game to have the Rooster, Rick Miller, Dewey, Eddie Murray, Dempsey and Rich Dauer in it - - but, I'm old.

[hmrsf]

It will be strange, like saying goodbye to an old friend. No Dewey will not be in right field (oopse let my age out too!)

There is a story behind this game. My mother never got the fan thing. I had a chance to go to Yaz day. Everyone in the car pool was going from school. My mother stated that she worked two jobs for me to attend this school, and no I could not go to the game. I guess I held a grudge for a couple of decades and she now wants to make peace. I still have the Yaz painter cap that one of the lucky attendees scoffed off a drunk at the game.

I forgave her years ago but never told her. Me bad!

[NetShrine]

Kinda been there. When I was just about 15, I had tickets for the World Series. Actually, my Dad's friend had tickets and he invited us. We went to Game 1 and had a blast. Somehow, I most have gotten run down - then sick, and eventually developed a fever. This came to a head just in time for "our" next game.

Mom told Dad that I was too sick to go sit in the cold upper deck that night all the way in the Bronx - - so, Dad told his friend to take someone esle.

Oh well, we didn't miss much that night. It's not like Reggie had 4 homers in that game - it was ONLY three.

[hmrsf]

That is like the post season match up of Cy young/Cy old. (Martinez/Clemens). I am a therapist and my patient is a season ticket holder. At the time I was not( long story, have forgiven the spouse for that one), my patient owned a business and everyone was going to some seminar. He offered them to me if the Soxs made it past CLE. Well they did. His wife GAVE them to their son who drove up from Atlanta for the game. My patient was so heated that it almost ended a 50yr marriage. Good news, I must have pouted so much that I am now a season ticket holder and my poor husband must endure the Soxs every home weekend, holiday and opening day!

[NetShrine]

Hubby not a Sox fan?

[nyy26wc]

When I was 13, I wanted to stay home and watch the Yankees-Redsox game on the Fourth of July.

But, my father insisted that I go with him to the town pool. The fact that I can't swim didn't mean anything to him.

That night, at dinner, my mother asked me what's the difference between a no hitter and a perfect game. After I explained, I asked her why she wanted to know. That's when I found out that Righetti pitched his no hitter.

I've never forgiven my father for this. But, I can't say it's damaged our relationship. That's so damaged and went beyond repair a while ago.

[nyy26wc]

I almost had a similar story with my brother's college graduation. If his graduation was a day later, I would have missed David Wells's perfect game.

But, since I have a good relationship with my brother, I would have forgiven him, eventually.