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12-17-2003, 08:48 PM
He loves the idea!! :thumbsup:
12/17/2003 5:07 PM ET
Ripken lauds O's for Tejada signing
By Gary Washburn / MLB.com
http://orioles.mlb.com/images/2003/12/15/CTVrTfno.jpg
Miguel Tejada is the first legitimate superstar the Orioles have featured since Cal Ripken retired at the end of the 2001 season. (Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE -- The man who redefined the shortstop position gave his seal of approval for the Orioles' signing of Miguel Tejada.
Cal Ripken, the most recognizable player in Orioles history and one of baseball's greatest shortstops, lauded the O's for nabbing Tejada with a six-year, $72 million contract.
Tejada, the 2002 American League MVP, is the first legitimate superstar the Orioles have featured since Ripken retired at the end of the 2001 season. Tejada is the first piece of the Orioles' rebuilding plan, as they are also pursing free agents Vladimir Guerrero, Ivan Rodriguez and Javy Lopez.
"Miguel is one of the top players in the game," Ripken said through spokesman John Maroon. "I am particularly happy because the shortstop position has been celebrated in recent years and he is one of the best."
Ripken has the Major League record for consecutive games played with 2,632 while Tejada has a current 564-game streak, which is 20th on the all-time list.
"He is a durable guy and loves to go out and play the game every day and he accepts the responsibility to play. He is a special player who is dedicated to defense and does all of the things while defense is the first concern when filling the position of shortstop. And besides that, you've got one of the game's best and brightest hitters."
Ripken was one of seven players to finish with at least 400 home runs and 3,000 hits. He is the owner of the Orioles' Single-A affiliate in Aberdeen, Md., and operates Ripken Baseball, a branch of youth baseball.
Gary Washburn is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
12/17/2003 5:07 PM ET
Ripken lauds O's for Tejada signing
By Gary Washburn / MLB.com
http://orioles.mlb.com/images/2003/12/15/CTVrTfno.jpg
Miguel Tejada is the first legitimate superstar the Orioles have featured since Cal Ripken retired at the end of the 2001 season. (Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE -- The man who redefined the shortstop position gave his seal of approval for the Orioles' signing of Miguel Tejada.
Cal Ripken, the most recognizable player in Orioles history and one of baseball's greatest shortstops, lauded the O's for nabbing Tejada with a six-year, $72 million contract.
Tejada, the 2002 American League MVP, is the first legitimate superstar the Orioles have featured since Ripken retired at the end of the 2001 season. Tejada is the first piece of the Orioles' rebuilding plan, as they are also pursing free agents Vladimir Guerrero, Ivan Rodriguez and Javy Lopez.
"Miguel is one of the top players in the game," Ripken said through spokesman John Maroon. "I am particularly happy because the shortstop position has been celebrated in recent years and he is one of the best."
Ripken has the Major League record for consecutive games played with 2,632 while Tejada has a current 564-game streak, which is 20th on the all-time list.
"He is a durable guy and loves to go out and play the game every day and he accepts the responsibility to play. He is a special player who is dedicated to defense and does all of the things while defense is the first concern when filling the position of shortstop. And besides that, you've got one of the game's best and brightest hitters."
Ripken was one of seven players to finish with at least 400 home runs and 3,000 hits. He is the owner of the Orioles' Single-A affiliate in Aberdeen, Md., and operates Ripken Baseball, a branch of youth baseball.
Gary Washburn is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.