Cal Ripken's potential record-breaking game was conspicuous by its absence yesterday when the Orioles announced their 1995 home schedule.
As the tentative 1995 American League schedule reads, Ripken's 2,131st consecutive game played, the one that would put him ahead of Lou Gehrig should Ripken get that far, would come Aug. 18 in Oakland, if the season were to start on time.
The Orioles, however, have been assured a schedule change will be made to move the record-breaker to Camden Yards, said Orioles director of business affairs Walt Gutowski.
"They made it very clear they want to work with us on making an adjustment at some point," Gutowski said. "When? That will probably be tied into the labor situation."
American League president Gene Budig and Orioles vice
chairman/business and finance Joe Foss have talked about the issue to the Orioles' satisfaction.
"They've been consistent in their message [that] they want to make some accommodation," Gutowski said.
Since the work stoppage that imperils Ripken's streak -- should replacement players be used -- might not be solved by Opening Day, it would not make sense to adjust the schedule before an agreement is reached. Hence, the holdup.
For the Orioles, Opening Day is scheduled for April 3, 3:05 p.m. at Camden Yards. Other highlights: The Orioles are scheduled to be on the road for Memorial Day, at home on Labor Day and the Fourth of July, and would play 25 home day games.
Individual game tickets will go on sale in January, most likely Jan. 21, the day the club's winter carnival starts.
While some clubs have said they will reduce ticket prices in the event replacement players take the field, the Orioles thus far have not made any such indication.
"At this point, we don't have any change in policy," Gutowski said. "We're proceeding as we normally would. We're very hopeful this [work stoppage] can be resolved very soon and all of those questions won't come into play."
Orioles owner Peter Angelos, philosophically opposed to the concept of replacement workers, has stopped short of saying he would not field a team of them, noting he must consider his fellow owners.