Cal Ripkin, Jr. Hosting 16 Japanese Students

Mention the name Cal Ripkin, Jr, and what words pop into your head? Baseball? Longevity? Determination? Maryland? Baltimore Orioles? Short-stop? Records? Those words and many more can be related to Cal. But have you thought of him as a diplomat? Since he retired from the Baltimore Orioles in 2001 he has taken on a large non-baseball role. He is considered a goodwill ambassador for the United States. What better person to take on that responsibility than Cal.

What has Cal done in this new role? In 2007 he hosted a delegation to China and another to Nicaragua in 2008. Last year he served as host for teens and coaches from Iraq, and that was something he did on his own, separate from the State Department. In order words, Cal Ripkin, Jr. goes out of his way to do what he can to make the world a little better place.

Right now Cal is hosting 16 Japanese students who arrived Monday night. They have a busy schedule. The students, girls and boys, will meet with Cal and also with Hillary Clinton in Washington today. These 16 students were affected by the earthquake and tsunami that devastated Japan. It must be a special treat for them to be able to visit the United States and just be kids for a while. They will have many stories to take back home and wonderful memories of the United States.

According to the Baltimore Sun, they will be participating in baseball clinics and that includes the Ripkin Youth Baseball Academy in Aberdeen, Maryland. On Thursday they will be watching Cal's former team, the Baltimore Orioles play the Chicago White Sox. What a thrill to visit Camden Yard in Baltimore. Do you think they will have a crab cake or two while at the stadium?

When trying to reach out to the youth of the world, sports has always played a huge role. To find someone like Cal, who is highly respected and who is willing to give of himself in this way is truly touching. He should be thanked for his contributions to baseball and beyond. Nice job Cal!

Source:

Baltimoresun.com