I'm not even an Orioles fan, but for some reason Cal Ripken has been my benchmark for age. In 1982, when Cal Ripken won the ROY award, my tiny little 11 year-old brain told me "Well, if Cal Ripken won ROY at age 21, then I have another 10 years to make something of myself."
When I reached 21 years of age, I looked at Cal Ripken. Older then me, and greying, but in the midst of an incredible games played streak, just won his 2nd MVP Award. "OK, I've still got time. Life doesn't end at 21. Just got to make something of myself by the time I'm 31...just like Cal is right now".
Flash forward 10 more years. Cal finally starts breaking down. The streak ends and his career is coming to a close. The silver lining. "Damn, Cal played major league level baseball until he was 40 years old. That's damn impressive. That means I've got 10 more years of prime living left. Maybe I still might have a chance to make the big show, even though I haven't actually played any organized ball since High School."
Now I see that Cal is 62 years old. "Damn, I remember I used to hoard Cal Ripken Rookie cards right after they first came out. Now Cal is 62 years old. Where the hell did all the time go?"
Moral of the story is: Cal Ripken is responsible for me procrastinating, for me aging, and for me not living up to my self-centered potential...but as long as Cal Ripken is always 10 years older then me, then I still have time to finally make something of myself...so please Cal, live forever and keep me an optimistic old man for the rest of my life.
