Many Orioles fans were probably surprised and ecstatic when they heard Orioles legend Cal Ripken Jr. would be a part of David Rubenstein’s new ownership group.
Now that this ownership group has been approved by Major League Baseball, Ripken got emotional thinking about what this new role in the franchise means. He believes he and his fellow owners have a driven mindset that they hope will take the Orioles to new levels of success.
Ripken, 63, had an extraordinary career on and off the field prior to becoming a minority owner of the Orioles, but the baseball legend is still in awe of this new development and is grateful for everything that has led to this point.
“I had a dream for the first 20 years to be a baseball player and then I lived that dream for 21 years with the Orioles, my hometown team,” Ripken said on Glenn Clark Radio April 2. “Then I became an owner for a minor league team and I learned a little bit about business. I think so many things in life are a matter of timing. This ownership group came around. The timing seems to be perfect for it, and I didn’t think I’d be as emotional about it as I feel I am because it wasn’t something that you set out to do.”
As excited as Ripken is for this new opportunity, there is still some uncertainty about what his role will evolve into. That may be daunting for some, but Ripken relishes the opportunity to be a jack-of-all-trades and support this organization in any way he respectfully can.
Ripken described his role as a “sounding board,” and he likes that term because like all of the other new ownership members to this point, he does not want to disrupt the success that GM Mike Elias and others have had on and off the field. Yet Ripken is more than willing to provide any kind of advice, support or counsel for these figures should the need arise
“I can be a sounding board and I can utilize some of my baseball knowledge and my baseball expertise to help in some way,” Ripken said. “… It is such a great thing to come in and own a team that the baseball piece is in such great shape. So, you almost want to step back and say, ‘OK, it’s on you and keep things going.’ So, I don’t feel at all like I’m in charge of baseball. I feel that if Mike needs a thought or a sounding board, I can be that sounding board for him and I could help in any way.”
Ripken is just one of the many individuals making up the Orioles’ new ownership group. Headed by Baltimore native David Rubenstein, the group also includes fellow billionaire Michael Bloomberg, basketball great Grant Hill and former Baltimore Mayor Kurt Schmoke.
While some are waiting to see what this new ownership group will do with the franchise next, Ripken has been inspired by the philosophy his fellow owners share with their love and commitment to the city of Baltimore.
“I was pretty amazed. David, his connections and his roots go way, way back and he talked about that quite extensively. And he’s maintained a connection,” Ripken said. “But I love the fact that [the owners] see themselves as the stewards of the organization as the team. Not necessarily strict owners, but they’re the stewards. It’s owned by the community and by Baltimore, and it’s a responsibility for them to handle it in the right way. So, I love that philosophy.”
While most fans don’t know much of Rubenstein, Ripken has had a longstanding personal connection with Rubenstein for years now. While he is still getting to know other fellow owners, Ripken believes if they’re anything like Rubenstein the organization is in good hands.
“I’ve known David for a while. I’ve had a chance to be around him maybe 15 years or more,” Ripken said. “I can tell you that anything you want to know from David, just ask him. He’s one of the most transparent and good people, and sometimes he’ll speak to subjects that I wasn’t sure that he would go to, but he’s that way. He’s just open. He’s transparent. He’s good.”
What is ahead for the Orioles both on and off the field remains to be seen, but Ripken is as energized and optimistic as ever in his new role. He feels that his ties have never been stronger with the team.
“I feel formally a part of the Orioles. I’ve always had a connection, but it feels really good,” Ripken said. “I’m watching every pitch. I went to the first three games. I missed [April 1] and that was pretty exciting. But there’s a renewed enthusiasm in my life.”
For more from Ripken, listen to the full interview here:
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