Cal Ripken Jr. And The Hobby

[packs]

I think Tony Gwynn is a bad comparison. He had instantly recognizable qualities, like his laugh and the smile on his face all the time. I'll also never forget him because he had to do battle with the greatest team in history, the 1998 Yankees in the World Series. I watched that series like I watched all Yankees games that year and I do remember the home run Gwynn hit in game 1 with a tied game. It was his only postseason home run.

But I guess that's a personal memory more than an around the game moment. Everyone did see it though. It was the World Series.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by packs

I think Tony Gwynn is a bad comparison. He had instantly recognizable qualities, like his laugh and the smile on his face all the time. I'll also never forget him because he had to do battle with the greatest team in history, the 1998 Yankees in the World Series. I watched that series like I watched all Yankees games that year and I do remember the home run Gwynn hit in game 1 with a tied game. It was his only postseason home run.

But I guess that's a personal memory more than an around the game moment. Everyone did see it though. It was the World Series.

OK one fairly dramatic homer. Ripken's streak game arguably was one of the most exciting moments in all of baseball history. And the game before was pretty exciting too not to mention the whole leadup to it.

[packs]

It was personality too though. I can still hear Gwynn’s voice. Everybody loved that guy. I don’t remember anything about Cal Ripken except he was bald and a few years ago his mother was bizarrely kidnapped.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by packs

It was personality too though. I can still hear Gwynn’s voice. Everybody loved that guy. I don’t remember anything about Cal Ripken except he was bald and a few years ago his mother was bizarrely kidnapped.

He was the All American boy who would stay at the park for hours signing autographs. Hugely popular in Baltimore.

Both played for only one team. They made the Hall together. Lots of comparisons.

[packs]

Not that popular apparently. Aaron Judge’s isn’t only popular in New York. He’s a phenomenon. And Gwynn is probably going to be the most recognizable Padres player for the entirety of their franchise, in addition to having the NL batting title named after him. He’s an immortal in ways Ripken won’t be.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by packs

Not that popular apparently. Aaron Judge’s isn’t only popular in New York. He’s a phenomenon. And Gwynn is probably going to be the most recognizable Padres player for the entirety of their franchise, in addition to having the NL batting title named after him. He’s an immortal in ways Ripken won’t be.

IMO you are underestimating Cal, I bet his cards all things equal sell for more than Gwynn's. Breaking Gehrig's record was HUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUGE. Did Gwynn get a chapter in George F. Will's book? Maybe he did, but I only remember the one on Cal.

[Peter_Spaeth]

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/...seball-history

Yup. 25 Gwynn, 13 Ripken.

13. Cal Ripken Jr.
14 OF 26
The heart and soul of the Baltimore Orioles for more than two decades, Cal Ripken Jr. put together a remarkable career that included a Rookie of the Year award, two American League MVP awards and 19 consecutive All-Star appearances.

Oh, and he broke what many considered to be the most unbreakable record in all of sports, Lou Gehrig's streak of 2,130 consecutive games played.

But it was the way that Ripken went about doing things that endeared him to his fellow players and fans alike.

Said Joe Torre:

Cal (Ripken Jr.) is a bridge, maybe the last bridge, back to the way the game was played. Hitting home runs and all that other good stuff is not enough. It's how you handle yourself in all the good times and bad times that matters. That's what Cal showed us. Being a star is not enough. He showed us how to be more.

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

IMO you are underestimating Cal, I bet his cards all things equal sell for more than Gwynn's. Breaking Gehrig's record was HUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUGE. Did Gwynn get a chapter in George F. Will's book? Maybe he did, but I only remember the one on Cal.

The actual breaking was huge. I remember the lead up to it being him getting a lot of crap for playing bad and NOT taking the much needed time off.

[G1911]

My hot take of the day is that Tony Gwynn is a closer comparison to Cal Ripken Jr. than Tony Fernandez.