BALTIMORE (Map, News) - Cal Ripken Jr. does not like to see the constant change among the Orioles front office and managerial staffs. However, the Hall of Fame shortstop does have faith that his former team may finally be moving in the right direction with the recent hiring of chief operation officer Andy MacPhail.

“Change is not necessarily good all the time,” said Ripken earlier this week in a teleconference held by TBS. “The Orioles have gotten into the position where they’re changing pretty readily and probably for the right reasons.

“They’re searching to try to find a winner, but it doesn’t take away the frustration … If you’re looking at Andy MacPhail and his resume in Chicago and he’s become available, my optimistic side is to continue to keep my fingers crossed and says, ‘Ok, he’s the right guy to impact change in a long-term way.’”

Ripken is currently getting ready for his Hall of Fame induction ceremony, set for next month in Cooperstown, N.Y.

In the meantime, he is taking the next step in his post-playing career when he joins Ernie Johnson, Jr. and fellow Hall of Famer Tony Gwynn as studio hosts of the Major League Baseball All-Star Selection Show at 4 p.m. Sunday on TBS.

Who represents the American and National All-Star teams has become even more important in recent years as the winning league earns home field advantage for the World Series, something Ripken does not agree with.

“I’ve been to enough All-Star games, especially in the early stages, where there was a lot of pride in that game and [the players] were there to prove which league was better,” Ripken said. “The incentive of home field advantage just doesn’t jive with me.”

Ripken added that despite the controversy surrounding San Francisco Giants outfielder Barry Bonds as it relates to possible performance-enhancing drug use, he considers Bonds a “career All-Star” and hopes he is in the game this year, set for July 10 in San Francisco.

“Yes, there is a shadow that is hanging over the top of him, but when I think of Barry I think of him as an All-Star player and sometimes you have to have those All-Stars that are considered ‘career All-Stars’ at the game because that’s what makes the All-Star Game so special,” Ripken said. “I don’t get so caught up in the suspicion and speculation. I’d like to assume that everything is on the up and up, and I’d like to see him at the All-Star game myself.”

Comments from Examiner Readers

6:43 AM MST on Tue., Feb. 19, 2008 re: "Orioles ready for competition to begin"

City Resident said:
its good to see some people still support the Orioles. as a Baltimore resident who grew up in Boston, i know what its like to root for a crappy team for a LONG time (Bruins, Celtics especially). and those complainers? they'll be the first ones back when things are going well again. sad! keep it up true O's fans and i'll "see you at the Yard!"

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12:09 PM MST on Thu., Dec. 20, 2007 re: "O's say no deals today"

Examiner Reader said:
TRADE !!!!!.....Who would want an Oriole player ?????

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5:06 AM MST on Tue., Dec. 18, 2007 re: "Mitchell Report unites fans"

avid reader said:
I csn't believe that baseball paid this guy all of that money to write a report that could take baseball down. There was no news in the report because so many players grow too fast in size and as a fan I say to myself this guy could not be spending this much time in the gym. This is a sad scenario for the game.

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6:23 PM MST on Sat., Dec. 15, 2007 re: "Say it ain�t so, MLB players"

Karl said:
many baseball players want to play, win, and continue their careers at whatever cost; even to taking illegal substances. And the fans feel the same way. Let them continue their careers. And if taking illegal substances helps to win games, that is okay with the majority of fans. As Vince Lombardi is credited with saying, "winning is everything; it is the only thing."

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9:26 PM MST on Fri., Dec. 14, 2007 re: "Big names hit in MLB drugging report"

O's season ticket holder said: said:
What i find amazing is this. Two years ago all of the congressmen wanted to hold hearings on this same matter, now i see why. Just like this retired senator they are all looking for lucrative jobs once they leave office.....

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7:08 AM MST on Fri., Dec. 14, 2007 re: "Big names hit in MLB drugging report"

Examiner Reader said:
How convenient that not a single current Red Sox player is mentioned, despite the glaringly obvious Ortiz. How can someone his age have a heart condition known to be linked to steroid use and not have showed up in the report? Perhaps because it was controlled by someone who has a financial stake in the Red Sox?

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6:35 AM MST on Fri., Dec. 14, 2007 re: "The Dirty Birds"

Don said:
Wonder how these O's druggies would have played without the drugs ????????

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6:32 AM MST on Fri., Dec. 14, 2007 re: "Big names hit in MLB drugging report"

Don said:
Probably should have listed who hasn't

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12:28 PM MST on Wed., Dec. 12, 2007 re: "O's trade Tejada to Houston"

Don said:
Maybe they can get a package deal for the O's and Rav's with Mayflower van lines. It's got to be terrible being a local sportcaster here in Baltimore.

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1:53 PM MST on Fri., Oct. 5, 2007 re: "A day late and 25 games short"

Caroline- A.K.A orioles fan said:
i love the orioles, but after 10 losing seasons i've just about had it with them. its not that hard to just win a game! they spent a lot of money, last year trying to rebuild the bullpen and what did it do nothing! Keep markakis,bedard,roberts,guthrie,walker,bradford and some other people and cut burres, baez, bell, and some of the whole freakin bullpen! miguel tejada, good lord, we can get someone very good for him! Angleos, QUIT! YOUR DOING NOTHING ANYWAY!

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1:21 PM MST on Fri., Oct. 5, 2007 re: "O's fans see 10 years of heartbreak"

Lauren said:
i hope the orioles make some changes in the offseason because i've just about had it them. we have some great guys on our team. But, the pitching, most of all the pitchers have been injured this year, loewen,benson,wright,bedard,guthrie, and some other guys, if we can get them healthy and ready to go for 2008 i think we will play better. to be a playoff team you need everything, solid pitching, good defense and good offense and the orioles will have eveything if they just keep their players healthly.

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5:55 PM MST on Thu., Oct. 4, 2007 re: "Second half holds key to Orioles� future"

oriole fan said:
all i want is for the orioles to at least get to the playoffs, thats all i'm asking from them. or maybe even finish above .500 because after 10 losing seasons baltimore deserves a winning team! but i had to say that orioles have not given up. they play better against the yankees then they do agaisnt the devil rays. i mean c'mon! whats up with that?

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5:44 PM MST on Thu., Oct. 4, 2007 re: "Second half holds key to Orioles� future"

oriole fan said:
i love the orioles, but after 10 losing seasons i've just about had it with them. its not that hard to just win a game! they spent a lot of money, last year trying to rebuild the bullpen and want did it do nothing! Keep markakis,bedard,roberts,guthrie,walker,bradford and some other people and cut burres, baez, bell, and some of the whole freakin bullpen! miguel tejada, good lord, we can get someone very good for him! Angleos, QUIT! YOUR DOING NOTHING ANYWAY!

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9:58 AM MST on Wed., Oct. 3, 2007 re: "O's fans see 10 years of heartbreak"

Examiner Reader said:
It is ASTONISHING that these comments get well over 50 users rating their statements. The real issues get 1, 2, maybe 3. Maybe this is why Baltimore has such problems- no one cares enough to speak up, or take the time to do something! When it starts to leak into your neighborhood, I bet then we'll hear your mouth.

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9:10 AM MST on Wed., Oct. 3, 2007 re: "O's fans see 10 years of heartbreak"

Baseball Fan said:
HI, I think it is about time that the Baltimore Orioles wear your cities name on their away uniforms. They have the weak excuse that they serve other areas that would not relate to Baltimore. I live in New Hampshire and I have no problem with the Boston Red Sox identifying with Boston on their away uniforms. If the Red Sox didn't recognize Boston on their away uniforms I would take it as an insult to Boston and the home town fans. I have been to your city many times and have taken in Orioles, Red Sox games. I can't understand how Orioles fans and the city of Baltimore don't insist on the Orioles identifying with Baltimore on their away uniforms. After all, they are the Baltimore Orioles. They wouldn't have such a great ball park if it wasn't for the support of the tax payers of Baltimore. Thanks

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6:03 AM MST on Wed., Oct. 3, 2007 re: "O's fans see 10 years of heartbreak"

Don said:
Send the O's packing it's over. Root for the new kids on the block the Washington Nationals. They are welcome to use our stadium Hon.

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6:49 AM MST on Tue., Oct. 2, 2007 re: "The great Orioles MVP debate: The argument for Nick Markakis"

Examiner Reader said:
I thought Palmer put Markakis on the rising stars list because he was under 25 which the list asked for. Bedard is, what, 29? C'mon Welsh. Do your homework and stop twisting facts. Palmer wins in a landslide.

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11:31 AM MST on Thu., Aug. 23, 2007 re: "Rangers have record night at O�s expense"

A memorable season said:
That's one way to make this season memorable!

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6:15 AM MST on Thu., Aug. 23, 2007 re: "Rangers have record night at O�s expense"

Examiner Reader said:
Ouch. That's no spanking, that's a slaughter.

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3:35 PM MST on Wed., Aug. 22, 2007 re: "O's Trembley wins manager job for '08"

Examiner Reader said:
Uncle Pete, please open up that checkbook this winter!!!

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8:31 PM MST on Wed., Jul. 11, 2007 re: "Second half holds key to Orioles� future"

Examiner Reader said:
Trade Mora, Millar, Trachsel. Trade for Arod pay him and let him continue to be the best power hitter in baseball. Get the first baseman from Texas as soon as possible. One more starter and one relief pitcher. = winning season and some Oct. playing time.

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11:18 AM MST on Wed., Jul. 11, 2007 re: "Second half holds key to Orioles� future"

Examiner Reader said:
The first thing they should do is decide what kind of team they're going to be (which is what MacPhail presumably is doing now). Then they can trade Daniel Cabrera and Steve Trachsel. Next get rid of Miggy and Mora in the off-season. And then they can ship out a few of the other role players listed. I actually would keep Jay Payton for veteran leadership. They need to be smart.

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10:57 AM MST on Tue., Jul. 10, 2007 re: "Seasons of "What if""

Mr. Mirth Alert said:
Pfooey! The Orioles can win without Guerrero, A-Rod. or even Curt Schilling. Just start finding reasons to win, not excuses for losing. That's the mgr.'s job: to convince the team they're better than they are. But the crusty owner interprets that to mean they're better than he�& they are.

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9:51 AM MST on Tue., Jul. 10, 2007 re: "Seasons of "What if""

Examiner Reader said:
The four noisy people with HD? I guess i'll continue to watch a WINNING team in it's HD bliss!

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9:35 AM MST on Fri., May. 18, 2007 re: "Orioles say �Baltimore� is not back on jerseys"

Scott S. said:
The self proclaimed king won't allow it

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7:42 AM MST on Fri., May. 18, 2007 re: "Orioles say �Baltimore� is not back on jerseys"

Examiner Reader said:
The Orioles is no longer a region team since the Nationals have come to Washington, DC, so what is the problem with Baltimore being on the road jersey. If it is a marketing issue the Orioles would profit from it and the fans would appreciate the recognition of the city and the team while on the road.

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7:25 AM MST on Fri., May. 18, 2007 re: "Orioles say �Baltimore� is not back on jerseys"

Examiner Reader said:
Bring back the Baltimore road jersey!!! It would be a small concession to the fans that would go a long way to improving team relations under a dismal team win record. As for the "O's" caps; it is appropriate for a team that has been a bunch of zeros the past few years. Zero championships too.

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6:41 AM MST on Fri., May. 18, 2007 re: "Orioles say �Baltimore� is not back on jerseys"

Examiner Reader said:
How is this even an issue? Everyone knows that the Orioles are from Baltimore. I hate baseball and i know where every team is from without seeing the city name before the team name. Save your energy for the topics that matter.

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6:25 AM MST on Fri., May. 18, 2007 re: "Orioles say �Baltimore� is not back on jerseys"

Examiner Reader said:
Shouldn't the Orioles ownership be proud of the fact that they're from Baltimore? Put it back.

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