Orioles’ Brass Considered Asking Ripken to End Streak

Baltimore Oriole management had been discussing how best to approach Cal Ripken Jr. with the delicate suggestion that ending his playing streak would benefit both the club and himself, Kevin Malone, the former assistant general manager of the Orioles and now general manager of the Dodgers, said Monday.

Malone thinks that Ripken simply decided to do it on his own terms, ending the streak after 2,632 games when he removed himself from the lineup Sunday night.

“There had been discussions as to how to do it the right way so that everybody would be happy--what was best for Cal and what was best for the organization,” Malone said. “Cal hadn’t been approached yet, but there had been talks as to the best course of action, maybe at some point next year.

“The feeling was that he was getting older and that his production wasn’t quite the same and at some point that production would dictate taking a course of action.”

That Ripken, 38, took it himself surprised Malone in the context that through everything “he was like the Energizer bunny who keeps going and going and going.”

However, there was “so much pressure” and “so many expectations” surrounding the Orioles and their $72-million payroll this year, Malone said, that when the team failed to meet those expectations Ripken “tended to become a scapegoat. So I think it’s very possible, in fact probable, that if he felt he was going to be perceived in that context and the team was going to force him to end the streak, he would do it in a situation he controlled.”

Which may explain why his name was still on the lineup card up until 20 minutes before the game, which the Orioles lost to the New York Yankees, 5-4. He ultimately told Manager Ray Miller, “I think the time is right” and was replaced by Ryan Minor, one of the Orioles’ top prospects.

The streak had taken on a life of its own, but Ripken’s decision removes it as a lineup factor in 1999 and as a subject for media controversy.

Asked if he agreed with those who contended that Ripken would have been an even better player over the years with occasional rest, Malone said, “I can see both perspectives. He has always been in such great shape that I don’t know how valuable one day would have been. I mean, he never took that day to see what it might have produced. Most people benefit, physically and mentally, from a day off, but on the other hand, is one day really enough to revitalize your system?

“To me, Cal set the standard for dedication and commitment. He worked hard and played hard. He has always been the consummate professional. I think he represents dependability as well as any athlete in any sport.”

Ripken, insisting he had no regrets, returned to the lineup Monday night, when the Orioles played at Toronto.