Ripken holds special bond with Baltimore

BALTIMORE - Cal Ripken Jr. rarely heard jeers when the Baltimore Orioles played on the road, even when he helped beat the home team.

Ripken rarely questioned umpires and never showed up the players in the other dugout. He never thumped his chest in triumph, never took a haughty trip around the bases after hitting a home run.

Ripken wanted to win, but he played the game the way it was meant to be played - every day. For that reason, fans and major leaguers from around the country admired and respected Ripken.

But in Baltimore, it was love.

Ripken, 46, grew up in Aberdeen, was drafted by the Orioles and spent his...