B2501

Cal Ripken

Played in 2131 Consecutive Games

Collins Cover Announcement 

RULES ARE MADE TO BE BROKEN.

SO ARE RECORDS. MOST OF THEM.

This year I broke a self-imposed rule in my cachetmaking policy.

I decided to do an event cover. I never do event covers but I did one. One from the heart. One because this COLLINS Cover had to be made.

Before I get to the cover itself, let me tell you why I don't do events. First of all, the Postal Service issues enough stamps each year to give collectors a full plate of FDCs. To my mind, event covers would infringe on the hobby budget of many who may or may not like the event but who are primarily and foremost First Day Cover collectors. And, of secondary concern, is the fact that I love U.S. history and Americana and current events and a whole range of subjects from the popular to the obscure. If I ever started doing events, the possibilities would be ever so tempting and endless. So I don't. And I won't. But this one incredible event and this one sincere and dedicated human being (who happens to be a tremendous ball player) absolutely deserved to be recognized philatelically on the "Day It Happened". The Postal Service saw it that way and provided a special pictorial cancellation and I saw it that way and decided to do a COLLINS Cover for the event. Cap Ripkin, Jr. broke the record and I broke my rule. As a footnote, let me say that monetary consideration was not a factor. This COLLINS Cover was made because it was destined to exist. This moment in American life, in American sport, in American baseball had to be captured. It is a tribute to the man and to the game.

From 1923 to 1939 Lou Gehrig of the New York Yankees played in 2,130 consecutive games. He became known as the "Iron Horse". He was a man of character and decency. His streak ended when he took himself out of the line-up suffering from a paralyzing disease called amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. It eventually killed him and has since been known as "Lou Gehrig Disease". Many said that his remarkable span of 2,130 consecutive games would never be broken. It has been this year, and this time it truly may be a baseball record that stands for all time. On September 6, 1995 Cal Ripkin, Jr. played in his 2,131st consecutive game as shortstop for the Baltimore Orioles and the streak is still going. It started in 1981!

It was a fairytale night for baseball. Just minutes after he had hit a home run for a third succesive day, the game became official. His teammates, opponents, umpires, sell-out crowd, and national television audience applauded. It was a majestic moment. Cal stepped out of the dugout and lifted his cap in recognition of the ovation. He removed his jersey and gave it to his wife seated behind home plate. He hugged his two-year old son and kissed his five-year old daughter. He then jogged around the entire field shaking hands with the fans. It was not staged. It was not phony. It was not scripted. It was real. A decent man and talented and dedicated ball player living an American dream.

Ripkin is a hard worker. His streak attests to that. He is an all-star. His statistics attest to that. He is a sincere and caring human being. His lifestyle attests to that.

My hand-painted cachet depicts three different poses -- at shortstop, sliding into base, and a close-up portrait. The special postmark on the day of the game from Baltimore features a baseball with the number 2131. The text includes the line "Record Breaking Station". I believe that this record and this moment in baseball will live forever. The day Cal set his record, the next longest active consecutive game streak was at 235 by Frank Thomas of the White Sox. With Cal Ripkin, Jr. still playing, his ultimate final number may never be challenged. Yes, this special sporting event certainly was appropriate to be remembered and cherished in our cover hobby on the day it happened.

In his brief remarks, he closed by saying, "Tonight, I stand here, overwhelmed, as my name is linked with the great and courageous Lou Gehrig. I'm truly humbled to have our names spoken in the same breath. Whether your name is Gehrig or Ripken, DiMaggio or Robinson, or that of some youngster who picks up his bat or puts on his glove, you are challenged by the game of baseball to do your very best day in and day out. That that's all that I've ever tried to do." Cal Ripkin, Jr. Item B2501. $10.75.