I feel like a little kid at Christmas. RIPKEN STYLE!

[David T.]

So my brother Burnie has a buddy named Daryl who works for a heating and air conditioning business here in town.
Today Daryl calls my brother and tells him he won a contest at work for selling the most air conditioners.
The winning prize is a lucheon for 2 in Chicago with a one on one meet and greet with Cal Ripken Jr. right after, at the University of Illinios baseball diamond. Later that night they get to go watch the White Sox play the Twins!
My brother just got back to work from a weeks vacation and is short-handed at work and can't go.
This is where I come in.
My brother mentions me and how big a fan I am of Ripken and Daryl ends up offering me the other ticket.
We get 2 nights lodging at the Chicago Hilton, the luncheon, 1 on 1 meet & greet with Ripken, an autographed ball, an autographed 8X10, 2 tickets to the Twins/Sox game, plus $100.00 spending money.
I AM SO FREAKING EXCITED!!
The Itinerary states that Ripken won't be autographing anything other than the 8X10 and the ball mentioned, but it does state that I may bring a camara, movie camara and a glove.
You don't know how awesome it would be to be able to play a little catch with Cal Ripken Jr.
Anyways I'm am really stoked and just had to tell you all.
Russ, I'll be thinking of you buddy!
Will definately be adding pictures next week.
WOOT!!!
David

 

[tonsofcommons]

Congrats man!

 

[Brewer Andy]

Congratulations! That's freakin incredible! It will be a day long remembered...

 

[bigalbert]

WOW that is awesome!

 

[RITM]

WOW!

 

[scotty21690]

Awesome!!


Take lots of pics.

 

[Exposfan]

Congrats- some guys have all the luck.

 

[RITM]

You will certainly have the time of your life. Before I met Cal I was told by everyone who knew him that Cal made every person he spoke with feel like they were the only person in the room. Very courteous and always makes eye contact.

I really can't say enough about Cal's generosity. Recently I organized a fundraiser for our community. Our elementary and junior high school was flooded. We had 40 teachers who were on their own when it came to replacing personal teaching resources lost in the flood. Cal was gracious enough to send a signed 8 x 10 to be auctioned off to raise funds for the teachers. Enjoy the experience!

 

[Randy Shields]

WOW! That's Great Tweety!!

Couldn't of happened to a nicer guy!!! Can't wait for the pic's! Enjoy my friend!

 

[David T.]

Hey all, got back from Chicago yesterday and thought I'd share some pics.
The event turned out to be everything I'd hoped for!
The meet and greet with Cal was more of a mini baseball clinic.
I don't think anyone really knew what to expect cause none of us really dressed for a workout, but it was great.
We met him at the baseball field at the University of Chicago Illinois.
First time I've ever walked on turf. Damn it was hot!
We did a little batting and fielding with Cal there giving pointers the entire time.
When we finished we sat in the dugout and chatted for about a 1/2 hour.
He is truly a class act.
He was friendly, sincere, very talkative and made you feel like he'd known you forever.
Later that night we went to the Sox/Twins game and had a great time in one of the Skyboxes.
Twinkies kicked ssa.
With that said here's a few pics......

Note: I know I'm old, short, 25-30 lbs overweight, have a big nose, big ears and pretty much one ugly SOB. Please refrain from poking too much fun of me. :lol:

We received an auto'd ball (sorry no pic, my daughter has the camara) and this auto'd 8X10.....

Overall I had the time of my life and will never ever forget a minute of it!
Lastly, Chicago is one bid arse city and is very beautiful, not too mention they have some absolutely gorgeous women!


David

 

[brouthercard]

Man, looks like you had an awesome time, congrats again and enjoy the memories!!


But one question - if they promised you Cal Ripken, why did they give you George "The Animal" Steele instead? Was Cal sick? Did he at least bite open one of those ring cushions for you?

(sorry, didn't make fun of you, but had to poke some fun at "big" Cal.) :lol:

 

[David T.]

Man, looks like you had an awesome time, congrats again and enjoy the memories!!


But one question - if they promised you Cal Ripken, why did they give you George "The Animal" Steele instead? Was Cal sick? Did he at least bite open one of those ring cushions for you?

(sorry, didn't make fun of you, but had to poke some fun at "big" Cal.) :lol:

Yea but you have to remember the camara adds 10 lbs.
Weird, Cal must have only had one camara on him while had to have had at least 3-4. :lol:
In all seriousness, he seemed to be in very good shape on the field.
At 6'5" he towered over everyone.
I think he turns 50 in a couple of weeks. I can only wish I looked like that next year. :lol:
David

 

[Randy Shields]

David, that is awesome! To have some one on one time with the Ironman is unimagineable. I personally believe Cal has to be compared with the Greatest Athletes who ever lived specifically because of the Streak. To have him give you pointers and toss you a little BP should have most guys drooling on here. It does me. I'm sure those are some great memories you have to cherish with Cal. You Lucky Dog!!

Thanks for sharing Buddy!

brouthercard: I was at the home opener of the Charlotte Stone Crabs on April 8th in Port Charlotte, Fl and Cal was there as he is the co-owner of the team. He literally signed for 45-50 minutes before the game and I saw him up close and got some pics.-(My Dad got his graph on a Baseball) He does not appear chubby or fat at all IP. Could just be the shirt in David's photo's. Cal appeared to be in great shape.

 

[schmidtfan20]

man Cal looks huge, muscles that is. Congrats!

Kevin

 

[wideright]

That's just a crazy once-in-a-lifetime experience! Congrats and thanks for the pictures!

 

[David T.]

Thanks for the comments guys, it was an awesome exprience.
Funny thing is, some of the other people didn't really seem that excited. I'm sure some thought I was a bit strange as I was as giddy as can be.
Seriously Cal looked to be in great shape. What really stuck with me was how freaking large his hands were. Incredible.
On a side note, my wife called me Tuesday to tell me that her parents house had flooded with roughly 9 inches of sewer water in their finished basement.
It was pretty rough knowing what they were going through and not being able to help out at all til I got home.
Here in Iowa we have had so much rain it's incredible.
All I've done since I've been home is lug up wet carpet, furniture, boxes and everything you can imagine.
They lost a lot of personal items such as old pictures and other momentos.
I feel so bad for them.
They're both in their 60's and I've been pretty damned impressed with how well they've handled it all.
Lastly, does anyone have a current email address for Russ S.?
I have something for him that I think he'll really enjoy.
If so shoot me a PM please.
David

 

[Pinbreaker]

Congrats on a lifetime expierience.. Yes, Cal does turn 50, since he's got me just shy of a month..

One reason I have a few of his items is that he is my age.. I know how I feel and see him still at it with the kids and events like the one you went to..

Great pics and now you can always say your hitting instructor was Cal Ripken Jr. and have the pic's to prove it!!

 

[JEBJJA]

Is that Cal or a Cow?





J/K ..... :lol: Must of been a great time...

 

[Russ S.]

WOW David... :shock: :shock:
Amazing stuff buddy.
Such an amazing experience, congratulations. I'm very envious. Looked like an amazing time.
I hope one day to be able to have an experience like that.
Thank you so much for sharing.