CAL RIPKEN JR. - AUTOGRAPHED SIGNED PHOTOGRAPH - HFSID 266330

CAL RIPKEN, JR.
The Hall of Famer is shown waving his cap to the crowd after ending his 2,632 games played streak at Camden Yards.
Photograph signed: "Cal Ripken, Jr." Color, 8x10. On September 20, 1998, in the Baltimore Orioles last home game of the season, Cal Ripken, Jr., took himself out of the line-up, ending his record consecutive game playing streak at 2,632. When he was asked why he ended the streak, Ripken said: "I just think it reached a point where I firmly believe it was time to change the subject, restore the focus back where it should be, on the team, and move on. I thought about this for a while, for a long time, and my first inclination was to help the team get to the wild card berth, to continue to play, keep the focus right on the team and if we would have fallen through in any way to take the last day off in Boston, just as a way to end it. And then I thought about it for a second and through a little conversation with my wife we worked it out and said, 'Wait a minute. If this is going to happen, if this is going to end, let's end in the same place that it started.' It started in Baltimore many, many years ago. Let's do it in my home state, my home city with my family or friends in front of the -- and I hope you're listening out there in the stadium -- in front of the very best baseball fans anywhere. I appreciate all the support. The only way this is going to be a little bit emotional is it makes me think back on all the great years and all the great times. But this shouldn't be a sad moment. If you look at me, I look at it as a happy moment. It's a celebration. And it's not going to change who I am, it's not going to change the way I approach the game of baseball. I still consider myself an everyday player. And I plan on coming out every single day and proving that on a daily basis. So I'm not going anywhere. All you have to do is look tomorrow and I'll be in the lineup again (Monday) night in Toronto. So that's really it. Don't be sad. Be happy." Ripken had not missed playing in a regular-season game since May 30, 1982. IRONICALLY, THE SEPTEMBER 20, 1998, GAME WAS AGAINST THE NEW YORK YANKEES, THE TEAM LOU GEHRIG PLAYED FOR IN 2,130 CONSECUTIVE GAMES, THE RECORD UNTIL RIPKEN BROKE IT IN 1995. Printed at the lower left of this photograph is: "2632/September 20, 1998/Camden Yards/Baltimore". MLB and Cal Ripken Jr. holograms at lower right. Fine condition.