MLB ALL-STAR GAME

July 10, 2001

Cal Ripken, Jr.

CAL RIPKEN, JR.: Well, still had a shot of adrenaline or a long case of the goose bumps, I'm not sure what yet, but coming to the plate, I was excited. I was a little worried with the shadows and I was in the cage trying to swing really hard, trying to get ready and I went up there and said, "God, it's hard to see. Let me just keep things short and put the ball in play." The ovation, people standing up, and I came out and tried to acknowledge them very quickly because I didn't want the game to kind of be delayed for that. I got back in and just saw the first pitch, swung at it, put a nice swing on it. I swung and made good contact and the ball went out of the ballpark and I felt like I was flying around the bases. It was a shot of adrenaline, and then the curtain call after that; it was just a continuation of those goose bumps. I still have them right now thinking about it.

CAL RIPKEN, JR.: I must have been the only one on the whole planet that didn't know. I came out there and I thought about it -- this isn't the time or the place to go back to short, I haven't played it in so many years. He said, "No, everybody is expecting you to do it, so go on over there." I said, okay, and at first I was secretly wishing that Roger would strike out the three guys and then not to have to have a play and then I started thinking, "Yeah, I'd like to have a play, like to see what it feels like again." And after the second out, I really wanted a third one. But it was a good feeling. It was a different look. It was one that I saw for the majority of my career. It was fun to go back there and get that look.

CAL RIPKEN, JR.: It's been a whirlwind, and it's been a great atmosphere, a great environment for the celebration of baseball. I always thought that the All-Star Game was a special time to celebrate baseball. It really meant something special to our family to sit around and watch the game on TV, and to be a part of this all these years has been really special. This one, I think I came in with my eyes open a little wider, looking to take full advantage of everything that's special about the All-Star Game. It's tiring and it's been demanding a little bit, but it's been a great one. And to have things go great in the game, to hit a home run, it's been special. It's a great feeling.