Peers don’t envy Ripken

COOPERSTOWN, N.Y. (Map, News) - They offered no words of wisdom, but several Hall of Famers wished Cal Ripken Jr. luck on Friday morning as he prepared for the most important speech of his life.

“Giving this speech is going to be the most difficult speech he’s given in his life,” Hall of Fame third baseman George Brett said. “What’s great about becoming a Hall of Famer is that its not about you, it’s about the people who made you the person you are. And you get to thank them. That’s the hard part about it.”

Ripken will join San Diego’s Tony Gwynn as the centerpieces for the Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on Sunday afternoon at 1:30 on ESPN Classic. Orioles’ broadcaster Gary Thorne will be the master of ceremonies.

Ripken will give his speech in front of an expected 60,000 spectators scheduled to attend the induction ceremony at the Clark Sports Center Sunday and millions more watching on television.

But Ripken better make sure to keep his fellow Hall of Famers happy, said former Oriole third baseman Brooks Robinson, who gave his speech in 1983.

“If Cal goes longer than 15 minutes, we’re walking off the stage,” Robinson said. “We told him, 15 minutes big boy and we’re gone. So you’d better make it short and sweet.”

For Ripken, it should not be a problem. Throughout the month leading up to Sunday’s speech, Ripken has promised to keep his speech meaningful and concise--hoping to deliver a strong message.

“I remember last year, Mike Schmidt brought a Sudoku book and we all did Sudoku through the speeches,” Brett said with a big laugh. “Hopefully, they let me sit next to Mike again so we can do some more.”

But even in a jovial mood, though, Brett could not hide his respect for Ripken.

“He came to work every frickin’ day. Every day,” Brett said. “It’s not about the numbers. But how many guys came to work every day and performed? That’s what he did, and that’s something special.”

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