Cal Ripken Jr. reflects on The Streak 20 years later

KANSAS CITY - As the 20th anniversary of his historic night crept closer, Hall of Famer Cal Ripken Jr. found himself in an unusually reflective mood. Images flashed in his head, his father's face causing emotions to bubble to the surface. He saw the smile, the wave, and was transported back in time.

Even an Iron Man can get sentimental.

Ripken played in his 2,131st consecutive game on Sept. 6, 1995 to break Lou Gehrig's unbreakable record. The final tally read 2,632 before Ripken removed himself from the lineup on Sept. 20, 1998, walking into manager Ray Miller's office and saying, "It's time."

The Orioles will celebrate the 20th anniversary on Tuesday by inviting Ripken throw out the ceremonial first pitch and honor him with a video tribute. I spoke with him on the phone earlier this week as he squeezed me in between countless interview requests.

Ripken may not be in the same demand as 20 years ago, but the record still attracts a crowd.

Does it feel like it's been 20 years?

"I think it's a developing theme. I just watched a couple clips of my dad being interviewed. The memory of my dad being up in the box and pointing down, that's really a strong one. And I just remember some of the doubts surrounding it, whether he would come back or not. That's one I've been thinking about a lot. The fact that it's been 20 years, I can't believe it. That's another one. In some ways it seems like yesterday, but reality is all around that tells us it hasn't been. It's kind of cool.

"And the fact that I never liked to read stuff about myself or when I played. I didn't like it whether it was positive or negative. I figured I'd maintain my own perspective. But the whole process is almost to the point where it feels safe to go back and look, and it's been so interesting. One thing I found really interesting was (D.C. sportscaster) George Michael had a piece he did with Mom and Dad at the house. I thought it was really cool. I'm reflecting a whole lot more now."

You're credited with saving baseball that year following the strike. Is that how you viewed it? Did you take it as a responsibility?

"It wasn't my intention to do that, but I realized that as I was going through it that it was happening. People didn't feel real good about baseball after the strike and the cancellation of the World Series. As the sport has evolved, players sometimes call themselves entertainers, and the big money and business side come out. A whole lot of people love baseball and look at it as a game. They related to the streak, a work ethic that goes all the way back to Lou Gehrig. You could see people looking for something good to hold on to. And I sensed that as the streak was going on, I played that role. But I didn't do it for that reason.

"People think I was signing more autographs because I was trying to bring back fans. The answer is 'no.' I always did. But over the course of the celebration of the streak, as there was greater interest and responsibility with the media and different things in different cities, fans were getting squeezed out. So I started signing after games. Looking back, I was wide awake, so I wasn't going to sleep right away. I would sign until two or three in the morning. And fans had a chance to tell me about their streaks and why it's important to them not to miss a day of work in a plant or wherever they work. I thought that was pretty cool.

"I remember thinking that's hard stuff. We have an off-season. We play 162 games. They're working every day. We should be celebrating their streak."

Is 2,632 an unbreakable record?

"It's hard to fathom the number. And in some ways the approach to playing has changed. The expectation was for players to play every day, 162 games. I think that definitely has changed. The investments in players are much higher and there's a different attitude about pushing them through that. I sit in a very unique position. If I can do it, why can't somebody else? I don't look at myself as any different.

"The physical challenge of playing every day, some have shown that they can do it. I was proud that B.J. (Surhoff) and Brady (Anderson) did it and I think they had their best years when they pushed to play every game. Once you prove that you have no more physical limitations, it becomes sort of a mental challenge. I think all big league players have to learn how to play at less than 100 percent. It's the nature of the sport. We all have that in common.

"To do it 16 seasons in a row, that seems daunting. But where I sit, if I can do it, certainly someone else can."

The buzz has started again about you managing in the future after you appeared on a D.C. radio show. People are talking again about your conversation with Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo. Did something change from the last time this story was reported?

"I shake my head and I wonder if I ever gave any indication. It seems like I answer the same question the same way over all the time, and I shake my head. I was in D.C. to promote the Kevin Spacey thing with my foundation. The Nationals have been struggling or underachieving and there's been all kinds of talk about Matt (Williams) and stuff. All I did was compliment Matt, and I was asked I'd ever think I would manage. The only new thing I said was that I'm 55 and still relatively young. So I don't know if that changes anything or not.

"I don't know what the big hoopla is all about. I haven't been contacted by anyone and I don't know where the speculation comes from. Once it starts, everybody reacts to speculation. I guess I could take it as very flattering and interesting that people are thinking about me that way, but it's nothing more than speculation from my perspective."

Ripken said he checks on the Orioles and knows they've hit a rough stretch. They flew into Dallas last night and will play three games against the Rangers in Arlington before returning home. They've won five of six games there over the past two seasons.

The Rangers took three of four from the Orioles at Camden Yards from June 29-July 2.

Kevin Gausman has allowed eight runs and 15 hits over 20 innings in his last three starts, with three walks and 22 strikeouts. He's 0-2 with a no-decision.

Gausman is 7-7 with a 3.38 ERA in 26 career home games, including 18 starts. He's 5-10 with a 5.10 ERA in 32 road games, including 17 starts.

Gausman shut out the Rangers on four hits over 6 1/3 innings on July 2, but the Orioles lost 2-0. He's never pitched in Arlington.

Prince Fielder is 3-for-5 with a home run against Gausman. Mike Napoli is 1-for-6 with three strikeouts. The Rangers are a collective 6-for-26.

Left-hander Cole Hamels is 1-1 with a 4.73 ERA in four starts since the Rangers acquired him from the Phillies. He's allowed five, four, three and two runs. The Orioles can't be happy with that pattern.

Hamels is 0-2 with a 6.23 ERA in two career starts against the Orioles, allowing nine runs and 18 hits in 13 innings. Adam Jones is 2-for-3, Steve Pearce is 1-for-3 with a double and two strikeouts, Gerardo Parra is 2-for-10 with a double and Paul Janish is 3-for-15 with a double.

Jones may not play after crashing into the fence yesterday at Kauffman Stadium. Rangers physician Dr. Keith Meister will examine him.

Janish figures to start at shortstop against the Rangers trio of left-handers this weekend, though Ryan Flaherty has homered in back-to-back games. Janish had two singles yesterday after pinch-hitting for Jones, and he made two more outstanding plays in the field.

"I think more than anything, it's as advertised," said manager Buck Showalter. "It put him in a tough position there. He got our first hit and a couple of knocks. Paulie is a pro and he's a very proactive defender. He can see the ball hit and he's already moving and he can throw from a lot of different angles. He's as good of a shortstop as you'll want to see.

"He's a pro. We're lucky to have him."