Pre Streak

Cal Ripken with rookie Cal Ripken, Jr. 

California Angels v Baltimore Orioles, May 2, 1982


Memorial Stadium, Section 63U, Sec 4 Row 5

It was my high school graduation.  A neighbor knew I was a sports fanatic.  He brother was an O's fan who lived not far from the stadium.  She arranged for me to go to Baltimore and be his guest.  He was affectionately known as Six Pack Jack.  True to his name, he was a character.
On the date May 30, 1982 Cal Ripken began his streak of playing 2,632 consecutive games.  This game preceeded The Streak.  There was a hometown connection for me.  In 1964, the year of my birth, the Phillies had a utter collaspe at the end of the season to finish 2nd to the St Louis Cardinals.  The Phils had such a large lead in September that they printed World Series tickets.  Gene Mauch was the manager.  Gene Mauch was today's manager for the visiting California Angels.  The legendary Earl Weaver was the skipper for the O's.
The Orioles Eddie Murray doubled in Al Bumby in the 1st.   The 2nd found the visitors responding quickly.  Ron Jackson singled in Doug DeCinces to tie the game.  Former Phillie Bob Boone doubled in Joe Ferguson for the early lead.
In the bottom of the 2nd Dan Ford bunted, Rick Demsey walked then Ford advanced to 3rd on a passed ball.  The O's young third baseman Cal Ripken stepped up and singled in Ford and Dempsey to tie up the ballgame.  The O's scored 2 more in the 3rd.
In the 5th the Orioles added another run when Ken Singleton singled in Al Bumbry.
Boone doubled in Brian Downing in the 7th to pull the Angels within 2 runs.
Scott McGregor stayed in the game to close it out himself.