Thompson would later be able to apologize for the use of the word “few” in regard to this Gettysburg Address-style soliloquy by Angelos.
Angelos slowly adjusted the microphone and allowed for a long, pregnant pause to beginning what were simple his opening statements:
This is a truly a magnificent evening. One filled with much meaning and many baseball memories. This is a night, an event, which will stand forever in our recollection of something special, something remarkably significant. What Cal Ripken Jr. has achieved does him huge credit as a person and as a baseball player. He has used his God given talents in a remarkable and uniquely heroic way. And by his example he represents the finest tradition of the American work ethic….
Light, polite applause from the crowd followed.
That type of commitment to doing your best, day in and day out, through whatever physical or other challenges that life may present serves admirably as a model for the youth of America. This is a tale of accomplishment. Through the travails which life presents of getting the job done, there is a bond here between the past and the present. Between the strength of Lou Gerhig as reflected in the strength of Cal Ripken. This is about commonly shared virtues, and values, and perseverance which casts a mold for the future. The qualities of that character have a dimension that survives the generations. And we can proudly say that these are qualities which are particularly a part of the American heritage.
Cal has given by work and effort most significantly what he has achieved stands as an inspiration for us all. This event has also been favored by an outpouring of giving which is wonderful to behold. Through extraordinary generosity purchasers of the special Ripken commemorate seats have raised more than $1 million for establishment of the Cal Ripken-Lou Gerhig Foundation, which is being created to financially support and advance the research being conducted into Lou Gerhig’s Disease by the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. We are fortunate indeed to have such important research being conducted by an institution whose local roots are deep and whose stature in the world of medicine is of international dimensions. I wish to acknowledge the efforts of the committee – Pete Manos, president of Giant Foods, Dick McCready, president of Rem Inc. Don Hutchinson, Chairmen of the Greater Baltimore Committee, and our own Joe Foss and Lou Kousouris of the Orioles. Let’s give them a great, big hand…
Ladies and Gentleman I’d like to introduce, very briefly, Gene Budig, President of the American League, who authorized the construction and use of 260 field seats for this event. This is the first time that seats on the field have ever been approved by the Major Leagues for anything other than a World Series or an All Star Game. We want to thank Gene Budig for doing that. Let’s give him a hand…
I’m pleased to report that through the efforts of Peter Manos and his committee we were able to sell all 260 tickets at $5,000 per ticket, which generated a gross revenue of one million, three hundred thousands dollars. Cal, now, we would like to present you with that check which you are clearly and directly responsible for producing and ask you to present it to the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. Cal, if you please…
Ripken walked back and forth across the field to find the check and finally cracked a smile and took a photo op for what amounted to Angelos’ buddies, family and employees. Angelos leaned back into the microphone and began another stanza from his writing:
Now what can the Orioles do as a baseball family and it…
And then it began.
The booing. The jeers. The cat calls from Orioles fans.
After nearly eight minutes of a droning monologue in a stadium with more than 50,000 jammed into every aisle, every available space, waiting hours (if not weeks and years) for this incredible night to honor and worship at the alter of the sacred Cal, the fans at Camden Yards were being lectured as the owner of the Orioles was stealing the spotlight and boring the patrons to tears with a self-congratulatory monologue on live, worldwide television.
When the noise began, Angelos looked bewildered. The longer he waited for the boos and hissing to stop, the louder they actually got. He stopped, almost started again and mumbled, while turning as the noise hit a crescendo and turned to then assistant general manager Frank Robinson behind him and said half off of the microphone, “What are they saying?”
The Hall of Famer and legendary 1966 Baltimore Orioles outfielder cupped his mouth and screamed: “They want Cal!”
Angelos, completely oblivious to how disrespectful he was in the midst of being in regard to the entire process for the fans and Ripken and his achievement, turned back to the microphone and said: “Alright, we’re going to finish in a minute…” as he scolded the crowd. “We have another announcement here!”
And like a lawyer performing for the jury, he looked back down to his scripture and went back into orator mode, albeit stumbling a bit at first.
What can the Orioles do as a baseball family in a continuing celebration of what is happening here tonight? What can we do to celebrate that which has unfolded in a most dramatic way over the last few days? The Orioles, in appreciation of what Cal Ripken has done, and what he stands for, and recognizing the opportunity to share in this significant research undertaking, hereby pledge to provide the additional money needed to bring the Ripken Gerhig Foundation initial funding up to the level of two…million… dollars!
This is a gift form the Orioles investors group, which I am privileged to lead. But most importantly it is a gift from you, the best fans in all of baseball, whose unfailing enthusiasm and support make all of this possible.
Tonight tells us a lot about the greatness of this game. About endurance and the enduring quality of baseball…
He was quickly intercepted by even more boos that rained down on him. This time, it was three times louder but Angelos did his best to stave off the rumble by rambling through his speech over the din.
With heartfelt appreciation, we thank Cal and we thank each of you and may we all remember and be grateful and remember this night and all that it stands for . The Orioles congratulate Cal and Cal’s parents, Vi and Cal Sr., his wife Kelly, his lovely wife, and his children Ryan and Rachel.
Cal Ripken we salute you! You are indeed Balti…er…baseball’s favorite son. Cal Ripken!
Jon Miller quickly took the mic and brought on Joe DiMaggio. The cat calls quickly subsided when Mr. Baseball came forward.
This would be the last time Peter Angelos would ever take a microphone at Camden Yards and address Baltimore Orioles fans. He was clearly stung by the booing, a sound he had never heard like that before.
This wasn’t the reception that a guy who “saved baseball for Baltimore” was expecting to hear from the peasants in the stands.
Perhaps you remember the night Cal Ripken broke the Lou Gerhig streak for its 2131 majesty and his subsequent victory lap a Camden Yards. Mr. Angelos, however, remembers getting his feelings hurt that night. He never again made another public appearance on the field as the owner of the Baltimore Orioles.
