Lords of Baseball, Cal Ripken, and a Historic Moment

darkhorse · 07-19-2004, 07:27 PM

Heading into the All-Star break of the Lords of Baseball's first season, Cal Ripken was playing his usual rock-solid defense and supplying power and production in the middle of the Orioles batting order. In the All-Star voting, Ripken was second only to Brewers shortstop Robin Yount with one week left in the builidup to the mid-summer classic. However, unbeknownst to all but the baseball gods, Ripken was on a collision course with immortality.

On June 24th, Baltimore was playing game two of a 3 game set with the Tigers. The previous night, the O's had taken the opener with an 11th inning solo blast from rookie David Segui providing the winning run in a 7-6 victory. With a 38-38 won-loss record, Baltimore had a double digit deficit in the AL East pennant race behind the Red Sox. However, Orioles fans in attendance on this fateful day would witness a never before seen performance from their most beloved player.

In the bottom of the second, Ripken leads off the inning with a shot to deep center, 446 feet, off Tigers starter Nolan Ryan to put the Orioles up 1-0. Rookie 3B Leo Gomez would immediately follow him with another solo blast.

Leading off the 4th inning, Ripken takes one to left field, a homer covering 369 feet for a 3-0 O's lead.

Top of the 6th inning, new acquisiton Dante Bichette leads off with a single. Ripken strides to the plate and moves Ryan's offering opposite field for a dinger covering 363 feet. Orioles 5, Tigers 1, Ryan weeping.

Ripken leads off the 8th inning and faces Tigers journeyman hurler Paul Gibson, a southpaw. Ripken mashes a Gibson bender to right-center, a 407 foot shot. Holy cow! Ripken becomes the first American Leaguer to hit 4 home runs in a game since Rocky Colavito of the Cleveland Indians did so on June 10th, 1959, some 31 years ago. He becomes only the 12th big leaguer to ever accomplish this milestone.

Orioles 6, Tigers 1.

As the public address announcer makes this fact known, the fans begin their prayer vigil. "Please, God. If their is any justice in the world. Please, let Cal bat again!"

Top of the 9th and the Tigers bring on closer Mike Henneman. Ripken is due up third and will have to take his swings against Detroit's stopper. Palmeiro singles to right, then Bichette leaves them groaning with a double play grounder, U4-3.

Ripken is up, the bases are clear, and the Orioles sport a 6-1 lead.

Henneman winds, deals...............

AND IT'S GONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

RIPKEN HITS HIS 5TH HOME RUN OF THE NIGHT!

NEVER BEFORE IN MAJOR LEAGUE HISTORY!!!!

I can't believe my eyes. What an incredible, monumental, historic display of talent and skill.

http://lordsofbaseball.us/lords_of_b...ue/box995.html

dougaiton · 07-19-2004, 07:34 PM

Just amazing. I've never seen anything like it in all my OOTPness. Great write-up, dh!

And just think, this feat would never have been possible had not some astute GM waived Ryan's sorry backside!

What a footnote to a great first half of the season.

ifspuds · 07-19-2004, 07:35 PM

Cool stuff! I've never even seen 4 HRs in a game in OOTP, but 5...

Thanks for sharing.

BCStone57 · 07-19-2004, 07:45 PM

Incredible. Ive been playing OOTP for a long time and Never have I seen such a great feat such as this, Nothing close!!!!!!!!

darkhorse · 07-19-2004, 07:49 PM

On that last and fateful swing, Ripken must have looked something like this.

dougaiton · 07-19-2004, 07:57 PM

You know who I feel sorry for?

3 days later, Daniel Rasmussen pitched the game of his life for last-placed San Diego, striking out 4 and no-hitting the Houston Astros! Think he made the the covers of any sports weeklies?

darkhorse · 07-19-2004, 07:59 PM

In LOB, the All-Star game perfectly divides the season. With 81 games under his belt, Ripken has 20 home runs and has a "decent" shot of surpassing his previous career high of 28, set in his rookie season.

His five home run performance is off the charts brilliant. In a league with such pristine and spot on historical league totals, his accomplishment gains luster, if that is possible.

BCStone57 · 07-19-2004, 08:02 PM

I was able to find a little spot for him on the main page........lol........But your right, you have not heard a word about it around the league today. Dennis, you couldnt have picked a worse time to throw a no-hitter, I'd be surprised if your management knew about it !!!!!!

darkhorse · 07-19-2004, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dougaiton

You know who I feel sorry for?

3 days later, Daniel Rasmussen pitched the game of his life for last-placed San Diego, striking out 4 and no-hitting the Houston Astros! Think he made the the covers of any sports weeklies?

LOL. No way!

Poor bastard. Pitches the first no-hitter in LOB history and they still can't get his name right.

Such is the life of a Pad.

The Professor · 07-19-2004, 08:15 PM

Great stuff! I enjoyed the write-up.

...tough luck for Daniel Rasmussen, though. And Dennis, too.

darkhorse · 07-19-2004, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Professor

Great stuff! I enjoyed the write-up.

...tough luck for Daniel Rasmussen, though. And Dennis, too.

Hey Prof, how are those LA Angels doing? Been any Brown-outs in California this year?

Carlton · 07-19-2004, 08:30 PM

friggin fantastic.

With my league it's always obscure players making footnotes when I want someone like Cal to do it!

Don't tell me...he has taken a day off?

darkhorse · 07-19-2004, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carlton

friggin fantastic.

With my league it's always obscure players making footnotes when I want someone like Cal to do it!

Don't tell me...he has taken a day off?

Oh, yes. Sat for four games in the first half. It's a damn shame they didn't do the same in real life. Cal would have had a much better career and the Orioles would have won a lot more games.

THE STREAK! Boo!

rem · 07-19-2004, 09:42 PM

To think I'm in the league but don't have the Orioles.

darkhorse · 07-19-2004, 09:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by remangiii

To think I'm in the league but don't have the Orioles.

True. You'll have to comfort yourself with the best record in Lords of Baseball.

rem · 07-19-2004, 11:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by darkhorse

True. You'll have to comfort yourself with the best record in Lords of Baseball.

I take full credit.

sporr · 07-20-2004, 10:31 AM

Amazing stuff! Great write up. Congrats Cal!

Skywalker76 · 07-21-2004, 03:08 AM

Black & Orange rules

darkhorse · 07-21-2004, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skywalker76

Black & Orange rules

Well, it did for one night in LOB. O's are 40-41 at the moment, but their savvy GM will have them moving up the table, soon.

07-19-2004, 07:27 PM	#1
darkhorse Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2002 Location: fort worth, tx Posts: 10,850	Lords of Baseball, Cal Ripken, and a Historic Moment Heading into the All-Star break of the Lords of Baseball's first season, Cal Ripken was playing his usual rock-solid defense and supplying power and production in the middle of the Orioles batting order. In the All-Star voting, Ripken was second only to Brewers shortstop Robin Yount with one week left in the builidup to the mid-summer classic. However, unbeknownst to all but the baseball gods, Ripken was on a collision course with immortality. On June 24th, Baltimore was playing game two of a 3 game set with the Tigers. The previous night, the O's had taken the opener with an 11th inning solo blast from rookie David Segui providing the winning run in a 7-6 victory. With a 38-38 won-loss record, Baltimore had a double digit deficit in the AL East pennant race behind the Red Sox. However, Orioles fans in attendance on this fateful day would witness a never before seen performance from their most beloved player. In the bottom of the second, Ripken leads off the inning with a shot to deep center, 446 feet, off Tigers starter Nolan Ryan to put the Orioles up 1-0. Rookie 3B Leo Gomez would immediately follow him with another solo blast. Leading off the 4th inning, Ripken takes one to left field, a homer covering 369 feet for a 3-0 O's lead. Top of the 6th inning, new acquisiton Dante Bichette leads off with a single. Ripken strides to the plate and moves Ryan's offering opposite field for a dinger covering 363 feet. Orioles 5, Tigers 1, Ryan weeping. Ripken leads off the 8th inning and faces Tigers journeyman hurler Paul Gibson, a southpaw. Ripken mashes a Gibson bender to right-center, a 407 foot shot. Holy cow! Ripken becomes the first American Leaguer to hit 4 home runs in a game since Rocky Colavito of the Cleveland Indians did so on June 10th, 1959, some 31 years ago. He becomes only the 12th big leaguer to ever accomplish this milestone. Orioles 6, Tigers 1. As the public address announcer makes this fact known, the fans begin their prayer vigil. "Please, God. If their is any justice in the world. Please, let Cal bat again!" Top of the 9th and the Tigers bring on closer Mike Henneman. Ripken is due up third and will have to take his swings against Detroit's stopper. Palmeiro singles to right, then Bichette leaves them groaning with a double play grounder, U4-3. Ripken is up, the bases are clear, and the Orioles sport a 6-1 lead. Henneman winds, deals............... AND IT'S GONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! RIPKEN HITS HIS 5TH HOME RUN OF THE NIGHT! NEVER BEFORE IN MAJOR LEAGUE HISTORY!!!! I can't believe my eyes. What an incredible, monumental, historic display of talent and skill. http://lordsofbaseball.us/lords_of_b...ue/box995.html __________________ "The Human Torch was denied a bank loan."

07-19-2004, 07:34 PM	#2
dougaiton Hall Of Famer Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Location: Posts: 3,414	Just amazing. I've never seen anything like it in all my OOTPness. Great write-up, dh! And just think, this feat would never have been possible had not some astute GM waived Ryan's sorry backside! What a footnote to a great first half of the season. __________________ tThis shower of clowns My park-adjusted, historically split Born in '69 league file! (also at Joe's wonderful site +BBSC)

07-19-2004, 07:35 PM	#3
ifspuds Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 2,117	Cool stuff! I've never even seen 4 HRs in a game in OOTP, but 5... Thanks for sharing. __________________ Jeff Watson Former dynasty writer and online league player, now mostly retired

07-19-2004, 07:49 PM	#5
darkhorse Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2002 Location: fort worth, tx Posts: 10,850	On that last and fateful swing, Ripken must have looked something like this. __________________ "The Human Torch was denied a bank loan."

07-19-2004, 07:57 PM	#6
dougaiton Hall Of Famer Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Location: Posts: 3,414	You know who I feel sorry for? 3 days later, Daniel Rasmussen pitched the game of his life for last-placed San Diego, striking out 4 and no-hitting the Houston Astros! Think he made the the covers of any sports weeklies? __________________ tThis shower of clowns My park-adjusted, historically split Born in '69 league file! (also at Joe's wonderful site +BBSC)

07-19-2004, 07:45 PM	#4
BCStone57 Minors (Double A) Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 129	Incredible. Ive been playing OOTP for a long time and Never have I seen such a great feat such as this, Nothing close!!!!!!!!

07-19-2004, 07:59 PM	#7
darkhorse Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2002 Location: fort worth, tx Posts: 10,850	In LOB, the All-Star game perfectly divides the season. With 81 games under his belt, Ripken has 20 home runs and has a "decent" shot of surpassing his previous career high of 28, set in his rookie season. His five home run performance is off the charts brilliant. In a league with such pristine and spot on historical league totals, his accomplishment gains luster, if that is possible. __________________ "The Human Torch was denied a bank loan."

07-19-2004, 08:02 PM	#8
BCStone57 Minors (Double A) Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 129	I was able to find a little spot for him on the main page........lol........But your right, you have not heard a word about it around the league today. Dennis, you couldnt have picked a worse time to throw a no-hitter, I'd be surprised if your management knew about it !!!!!!

07-19-2004, 08:15 PM	#10
The Professor Hall Of Famer Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: East of East Posts: 3,020	Great stuff! I enjoyed the write-up. ...tough luck for Daniel Rasmussen, though. And Dennis, too. __________________ History isn't really about the past - settling old scores. It's about defining the present and who we are."

07-19-2004, 08:30 PM	#12
Carlton Hall Of Famer Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 3,765	friggin fantastic. With my league it's always obscure players making footnotes when I want someone like Cal to do it! Don't tell me...he has taken a day off?

07-19-2004, 09:42 PM	#14
rem Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: College Park, Md. Posts: 5,024	To think I'm in the league but don't have the Orioles. __________________ OTBA: Washington Filibusters CLBR: Minnesota Twins 2005 Winner of LL's Pick the Loser Contest! - 15-0

07-20-2004, 10:31 AM	#17
sporr Global Moderator Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Muscatine, IA Posts: 8,277	Amazing stuff! Great write up. Congrats Cal!

07-21-2004, 03:08 AM	#18
Skywalker76 All Star Reserve Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Miami Posts: 833	Black & Orange rules