Ripken's new club: Aberdeen IronBirds

Cal Ripken talks to reporters about his new minor league baseball team. AP

BALTIMORE (AP) -- In devising a name for his minor league team in Aberdeen, Cal Ripken wanted to combine the elements of himself, the Baltimore Orioles' organization and the city itself.

The solution: The Aberdeen IronBirds.

Ripken introduced the name of his New York-Penn League team Thursday at Camden Yards. The IronBirds, a Class A affiliate of the Orioles, will begin play June 18.

The "Iron" reference is indicative of Ripken himself, whose streak of playing in 2,632 straight games earned him the nickname Iron Man. The "Bird" part of the name hammers home the team's association with the Orioles.

The orange and black logo features a silver cartoon airplane crossing an "A." The fighter plane is an acknowledgment of the Aberdeen testing grounds, a military facility located in the city where Ripken was raised.

"The idea of having the plane in the logo tied it all together," Ripken said.

The airplane has the No. 8 on the tail fin and a big blue eye, which Ripken calls a tribute to his mother, Vi.

Vi Ripken underwent heart bypass surgery about a month ago and is "doing very well," according to Cal.

Ripken, 41, retired from the Orioles in October. He's kept himself occupied enough so that he doesn't yet miss the game.

"I'm willing to admit that I've busied myself so I could focus on other things," he said. "I wasn't sure how I'd react. But I didn't miss spring training, and I didn't spend opening day wishing I could battle Roger Clemens."

Although he has plenty to keep him busy, Ripken said he will make the IronBirds a priority.

"I plan on being involved, firsthand, just so I can see how things work. I want to make sure the product lives up to expectations," he said. "I'll also use it to get a baseball fix."

Now that the team has an identity, Ripken is even more enthusiastic about his new endeavor.

"The name brings us one step closer to opening up," he said. "I anticipate our little opening day. It's a little less significant than opening day in Baltimore, but it's exciting for me to open a new stadium as an Orioles affiliate."

 

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