Ripken’s 30th anniversary marked by touching pregame ceremony

BALTIMORE—Thirty years after he trotted around the field after his 2,131^st consecutive game became official, Cal Ripken Jr. toured the field in a Corvette convertible, waving to the Orioles’ fans who came to mark the anniversary.

Though the ceremony started about 15 minutes late because of rain, the near capacity Oriole Park crowd cheered Ripken and his invited guests, including former teammates Brady Anderson, Harold Baines, Bobby Bonilla, Al Bumbry, Ben McDonald, Mike Mussina, Eddie Murray, Jim Palmer, Rafael Palmiero, Larry Sheets and B.J. Surhoff.

“I’ve been told that this record is unbreakable now,” Ripken told the crowd. “I would always say, ‘If I could do it, then somebody else can. I hope someone passes me someday and that I and all of you have the pleasure of seeing it.”

Hall of Famer Ken Griffey Jr. was a surprise guest and broadcasters Chris Berman and Jon Miller were there, too.

The cheers were especially loud for Murray and Palmeiro, who appeared at an Orioles event for the first time since leaving the club in 2005.

Ripken caught the first pitch from his son, Ryan.