Weighing in, fans on balance laud Ripken's career

The Sun asked readers to share their thoughts on Cal Ripken Jr. as he was voted into the Hall of Fame. A sampling of their responses:

Thank God for Cal Ripken Jr.! Not only did he save baseball (as people outside Baltimore say), but he also has been the heart and soul of a lot of true Orioles fans in these past years of huge disappointment. Cal has given us all something to look forward to once again - being a Baltimore Orioles fan, wearing orange and black, with No. 8 on our backs.


I've been an Orioles fan and, even more so, a baseball fan since I can remember. As I became an adult, I was drawn to a specific player who I thought exhibited an ability to succeed in all aspects of the game of baseball and was aware of his responsibility as a role model for kids and young athletes. I found myself trying to emulate Cal, really by accident, especially in my coaching kids' sports.

Cal played at the highest level with the utmost respect from his peers, his passion so transparent to try to be better every game, obviously by the numerous batting stances, consecutive innings played and consecutive games played. Cal never seemed to be satisfied with his previous effort. He played with integrity, but also with an intensity to compete and to lead by example on and off the field.

Cal accomplished so much during an era of steroids, financial greed and a lack of commitment to a community and/or team.


One characteristic a player must have to get into the Hall is integrity. Enough said.


He was good defensively, but his offense was average or below average when he was hurt. A temporary fill-in could have done better for the team at those times. He was not a team player.

The Streak does not make a Hall of Fame player.