A look at the MLB Network special on Cal Ripken Jr. with Tom Verducci

The story of Cal Ripken Jr. and his amazing consecutive games streak would no doubt be a source of pride for Orioles fans if Ripken had been born in Florida or California. But because he is a local product and his family has such strong ties to the team make this story all the more special and sweet for O's fans.

It's almost homegrown overload.

The kid from Aberdeen plays his entire Hall of Fame career for his hometown team. And his brother plays with him and his father is his manager for a time. And his dad, Cal Sr., is an architect of the Oriole Way - a tradition of playing the game the right way and winning often. If there were an official book on the Oriole Way, Cal Sr. would have written it.

So it was not just any kid that broke Lou Gehrig's record, it was a local kid. He's not a kid anymore, as Ripken turned 60 Aug. 24. Today, throughout Major League Baseball, the game will celebrate the 25th anniversary of consecutive game 2,131 when he passed Gehrig and became baseball's all-time Ironman.

That incredible achievement will of course be celebrated by the Orioles today. But it's a national story too. Tonight at 8 p.m., MLB Network will air, "The Streak - 25 Years Later" hosted by Tom Verducci. I discussed the special with Verducci and saw an advance copy. And, yes, all these years later it's still very cool to take an in-depth look back. The memories and emotions come rushing back.

"You know, with the passage of time, that streak only looks more amazing," Verducci told me. "Nobody gets close to it in today's game. For the foreseeable future of our lifetimes, I don't see baseball changing to see any player get even close to it.

"For me, the real treat was to sit down and have Cal watch video, so he's not just responding to a memory that pops up or a question I throw at him. For instance, seeing his mom and dad on the screen and reliving the emotions, not just the memories of that night, that was a real treat for me."

The night Ripken broke that record you saw a tough and stoic guy like Cal Sr. showing pride and emotion. And Ripken was emotional during his interview with Verducci.

"He was. He's a lot like his dad and I even said to him during the interview, 'You are your father's son,' in terms of not showing emotions very often or easily and yet he did," Verducci said. "And I think what really got to him was seeing his dad out there behind him as he spoke to the crowd and his mom was there as well. He said the tough part was knowing he would start out by addressing his parents. It was emotional that night and maybe even moreso 25 years later."

The MLB Network special also brought the Ripken brothers together, as Bill and Cal sat together for part of the interview.

"It was like they were in the back yard again, being teenagers and beating up on one another," said Verducci. "I was just sitting there like a fly on the wall listening to them tell stories. Billy just knows what buttons to push with everybody, but especially with his brother. So the byplay between the two of them, we could have done a whole show on what goes on with Cal and Billy. It was beautiful to see. The fact they turned double plays together with their dad filling out the lineup card, I mean that's a Little Leaguer's dream, but it happened in the major leagues."

Even without fans in the stands, the Orioles will celebrate Ripken today. He will throw out the ceremonial first pitch to his son, Ryan, an infielder in the Orioles farm system. The pitch, which was recently filmed at Oriole Park, will be shown at various ballparks at games across MLB in recognition of the anniversary. Orioles players and coaches will also wear a commemorative 2,131 anniversary patch on their right sleeve during today's game.

During the game, Ripken will join MASN and Orioles Radio Network broadcasts to reflect on the anniversary. Special 2,130 and 2,131 graphics will be digitally displayed on the Warehouse through the MASN broadcast for fans at home, mimicking the iconic banners displayed on the Warehouse during August and September in 1995. The Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation will also be featured as part of the virtual community booth during the day's broadcast.

The MLB Network special airs tonight at 8 p.m. and O's fans should really enjoy it. Here is a brief preview of the special and my video interview with Verducci.

Cal Ripken Sr.'s work ethic had a profound impact on Bill & @CalRipkenJr.

"The Streak" - Sunday at 8pm ET | @Orioles pic.twitter.com/Z5qh8xrJeF

-- MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) September 3, 2020