Report; Cal Ripken Jr. Is Honored at DCA
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Rex Hudler (continued)
One of the special things that stands out in my mind about being a teammate of Cal Ripken’s and being a teammate with him was the fact that he’s a family man. And that when I played with the Orioles in 1986 87 his father was the third base coach and his brother Billy was the second baseman with me. I knew my days were numbered. (laughter) But to see the joy on Cal’s face that he could come to the ballpark and be with his family - it was a memory I’m sure that will be everlasting in his mind. His father, like Doug DeCinces said, I benefited from his teachings. Forget about the times on the airplane when he would walk back and slap me in the chest as if that would make me feel welcome. He taught me some great things in the game. Cal loved to take infield. Here’s the Ironman - played all of these games in a row - still knew the value of fundamental baseball. You young kids, infield practice behind the scenes is where you become a major league player. That’s where Cal Ripken excelled, was behind the scenes, that you folks didn’t see.

Rex Hudler
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The California Angels were the team in Baltimore when Cal Ripken broke Lou Gehrig’s record. We were the team there by chance. And Marcel Latchman let me play second base the night Cal Ripken broke the record. So here I am standing out there in Oriole Stadium..excuse me, Camden Yards. And I’m watching...I’m on second base and I watched them push Cal out of the dugout. And I’m watching this and I’m going "what’s he going to do?" And he took off and he started going around the outfield. And I’m like in a dream and I’m thinking "Hud is this for real!" He kept going around and some guys fell out of the centerfield stands. Cal waited and gave them fives. Then he walked on down the line. I was upset he was going to shake hands with all of my teammates and leave me hanging out there on the field. So I wanted to…I wanted to run in there and get in line with my teammates just so I could shake his hand on that night. And it kept battling me on the inside saying "Hud don’t do it. That’ll make too much of a scene. Don’t do that." And if I remember I’m saying…"Go, no don’t Go. Go, no don’t go." So I’m..in my mind I’m having this dream watching him do this. As he got close to the fence his family was there so I said "Hud, your opportunity is lost." And as I cherished the moment I looked down and I found myself standing on the pitcher’s mound. I had wandered all around the field.

Cal, thank you for helping make - my career moment as a ballplayer was to play in that single game of significance. They’ll never be another game like it. I love you and your family, your father, Billy. I am so honored to be here today folks. Thanks so much. Come to the ballpark and check him out!

Gary Miller
We need to bottle that stuff, Rex. We could make a fortune. Alright, thanks to those wonderful teammates for those great stories to get us all warmed up because now it gives me great pleasure to introduce to you the person who will preside over the rest of our ceremonies here. The President of the Disneyland Resort, Cynthia Harriss.