Unique Experiences

Item Description

PRICELESS, ONE OF A KIND OPPORTUNITY!

This is the unique opportunity to be part of a private meet and greet with Hall of Fame baseball great Cal Ripken, Jr.  In addition to having lunch with this notable legend along with a private group, you & your guest will receive a personally autographed photo and have your picture taken with Mr. Ripken by a professional photographer. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity.  Don't miss out!

                                          Cal Ripken Jr.

Legendary, longtime manager Joe Torre said, "Cal is a bridge, maybe the last bridge, back to the way the game was played. Hitting home runs and all that other good stuff is not enough. It's how you handle yourself in all the good times and bad times that matters. That's what Cal showed us. Being a star is not enough. He showed us how to be more."

Cal Ripken Jr. was a throwback. He played hard, he played to win, and he played in every game. Upon reaching the major leagues in 1981, Ripken joined the Baltimore Orioles and was named American League Rookie of the Year for his first full season the next year. He spent his entire 21-year career with the Orioles, playing shortstop and third base.

Ripken compiled an impressive 3,184 hits, 431 home runs, and 1,695 RBI during his career. Among his vast and remarkable list of accolades, he was twice named the American League MVP (1983, 1991), was a 19-time All-Star, and won two Gold Gloves for his defense and nine Silver Slugger Awards for his offense. Ripken was a 2-time MVP of the MLB All-Star Game (1991, 2001) and won the Home Run Derby in 1991. He was also bestowed the Roberto Clemente Award and Lou Gehrig Memorial Award in 1992 and was named the Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year in 1995. 

After the fan fallout from the 1994 MLB Strike, Cal Ripken Jr. gave them reason to come back. On September 6th, 1995, baseball fans around the world tuned in to ESPN to watch Ripken surpass Lou Gehrig's 56-year-old record for consecutive games played (2,130 games), a mark thought by many to be unbreakable. The game between the Orioles and the Angels still ranks as one of the most watched baseball games in history. The crowd in the stands, the opposing players and all four umpires gave Ripken a standing ovation lasting more than 22 minutes, one of the longest standing ovations for any athlete in history. Ripken voluntarily ended his 17-year streak at 2,632 games in 1998. 

Ripken retired from Major League Baseball in 2001 and went out on a high note winning the Commissioner's Historic Achievement Award. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2007 by 98.53 percent of voters, the highest percentage of votes ever for a position player.

Ripken is currently a member of the postseason color commentating team for the TBS network. He is a best-selling author and the President and CEO of Ripken Baseball, Inc., whose goal is to grow the love of baseball from a grassroots level. Since his retirement, he has purchased three minor league baseball teams. He has been active in charity work throughout his career, and is still considered an ambassador of the game. 

Ripken's name has become synonymous with strength, character, perseverance and integrity. In 1999, Babe Ruth League Inc. changed the name of its largest division (5-12 year-olds) from Bambino to Cal Ripken Baseball. Presently, over 700,000 youths play Cal Ripken Baseball worldwide.  

(From Pro Sports MVP Entertainment & Promotions)

Item Special Note

Winner and guest will be included in the private luncheon with Cal Ripken, Jr. from 11:30am-12:30pm on Saturday, November 8, 2014. Event takes place at the Morial Convention Center in New Orleans. Exact details will be provided to winning bidder prior to event.

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