Soccer Dad: Vying with vi

July 13, 2007

Vying with vi

Tonight WBAL's Steve Davis interviewed Cal Ripken Jr.'s mother, Vi Ripken, as part of the station's celebration of Cal's election to the Hall of Fame.

It was very interesting listening as Vi Ripken betrayed no recollection of amazement of her son's ability while he was growing up. She told once of how her husband had once called and she told him that there were 16 scouts watching their son. He was amazed that so many scouts were checking his son out. (And remember Cal. Sr. was a longtime coach, someone who had the ability to judge baseball talent.) Unless I'm wrong, I read that Cal was scouted as a pitcher.

But her answers reminded me of two things.

1) I read in the paper a few years ago that Cal and his father had a plan. Cal would give baseball until a certain time (maybe until he was 20 or 21) and if it wasn't clear that he'd be a major leaguer by that time, he would go to college. In other words the Ripkens were pretty grounded. Nothing would be taken for granted. Perhaps it's the result of Cal Sr.'s experiences that involved wandering the country as a minor league coach and manager, that encouraged the family to make sure that the children had a life plan.

2) Vi Ripken's answers were neither cliched nor practiced. Many sports figures have a list of cliches that rattle off to answer interview questions. Cal wasn't like that. He put thought into his answer and didn't resort to cliches. It was a refreshing aspect of his personality.

baltimore orioles, cal ripken.