Updated 08/07/2012 09:00 PM
Cal Ripken Jr. in Rochester for Hall of Fame Induction
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“When I think of Rochester, I spent a little time here. I didn't have a full season here. But I look back on it, it was very impactful in my professional life,” said Cal Ripken, Jr.
Thirty-one years ago, part of the foundation to Ripken's Hall of Fame career was laid here in Rochester. As a young-faced 20 year old, Ripken spent most of the 1981 season with the Red Wings, batting 288 with 75 RBI.
“It was a time when I wasn't sure if I could make it to the big leagues or not, and this stay right here gave me the confidence. I thought I had a chance to actually be a pretty good player in the big leagues.”
Pretty good is a vast understatement: 19 All-Star games, 2 Gold Gloves, a World Series, and of course the Ironman - 2,632 consecutive games played.
How did he play 17 years without missing a single game?
“That's the question I keep getting asked all the time. A love of the game, a pretty resilient body, and I guess being good enough to have the manager want to put you in there.”
And a desire to play that just kept developing.
“Again, for me personally, this is where it all started.”
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