|
 |   |
|
EVENTS Fantasy Central Inside Game Multimedia Central Statitudes Your Turn Message Boards Email Newsletters Golf Guide Cities Work in Sports
CNNSI.com GROUP
COMMERCE
|  |
He's back Orioles sign Ripken to one-year deal
Updated: Thursday November 02, 2000 8:27 AM
BALTIMORE (AP) -- Cal Ripken has signed a one-year contract that virtually ensures him of ending his baseball career with the Baltimore Orioles, the team announced Wednesday. Ripken, 40, received $6.3 million in the final year of a contract that expired after last season. "Obviously, I am very pleased to have the contract completed," Ripken said. "I always have been an Oriole and I always want to be an Oriole. My back feels great, and I'm looking forward to having the opportunity to compete." A Ripken spokesman said earlier Wednesday that a new deal would likely earn the two-time American League MVP and 18-time All-Star $6.3 million in 2001 and include a club option for 2002 based on his playing time next season. "Cal's contract will roll over from last year. That's what it's looking like," Ira Rainess said Wednesday before the signing was announced. Ripken, who holds the major league record for most consecutive games played at 2,632, has spent his entire career in Baltimore. But he was limited to 86 games in 1999 because of lower back pain and missed two months last season for the same reason. But when he's played, he's been effective. Ripken hit .340 with 18 homers and 57 RBIs in 1999, and last year he hit .282 with two homers and 12 RBIs in September after returning from a lengthy stint on the disabled list. "Cal showed in September that he still has the desire and the ability to be an everyday player, and we look forward to having him back strong and healthy next year," said Syd Thrift, Orioles vice president for baseball operations. The second year of his next contract will likely be guaranteed if he plays in a certain number of games this season, Rainess said. Ripken made the decision to return for a 21st season after a September in which he played well and without pain. If his back bothered him during that time, he would have probably called it a career.
"Early in the month, I wasn't sure ... I
felt a little rusty, a little tight," he said on the final day of
the season. "As the month wore on, things were right. The last
five or six days, things were very, very normal. I moved to my left,
moved to my right. I swung the bat really hard, ran the bases. I'm
very satisfied."
| ||||||||||||||||
