Steve Horning of Jacobus sent us the following letter this morning:
This past Father's Day, my wife and children booked a bus trip for me to see Cal Ripken, Jr.'s induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame. My wife, father and step-mom left last Friday morning and returned very late, last evening. My brother came up separately, Saturday. My family knows I am a huge fan of Ripken. It was a gift of a lifetime for me... to be part of baseball history, show respect for a man who has set a record which may not be matched for generations, and say thank you to the man who saved baseball.
While Cooperstown was absolutely over-run with fans of the game, it was a respectful, patient crowd who appreciated Cal's many accomplishments. If you weren't there to pay respect to Cal, you were there to support Tony Gwinn, another class act. Both played for only one team during their major league careers. Our hotel room was an hour north of Cooperstown…while my brother stayed in Albany, NY (about 2 hours away) I imagine every room within 250 miles of Cooperstown was occupied.
While the town must have witnessed over 150,000 guests over the course of the weekend, it maintained the small-town feel. Some of the venders w/stands included the local Rotary, the girl's field hockey team, Cub Scouts, local churches, not to mention the countless lemonade/cookie stands run by small-town American kids. I met a gentleman named "Jim" @ the exhibition game, Saturday, who said he is an usher @ the York Revolution. I met a father & son from Brooklyn, NY and a family from Hudson, WI…all there for the same reason. A man named Cal.
Cal saved baseball. Cal's also saving American dreams, one person at a time. Reminding us all, that anything is possible, through commitment, dedication and showing up with your best game, every day.
THANK YOU, CAL!
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