in MLB Articles

Following Miguel Tejada's stellar first year with the Baltimore Orioles, some media types have begun debating as to who the best shortstop ever to play for the Maryland team really is. Are you kidding me? Have people forgotten just how good Cal Ripken Jr. was already? The man has only been retired for few seasons, yet several baseball writers are downplaying his contribution to baseball in favor of Tejada's hot bat. That's completely crazy!

Not only did Ripken establish his famous consecutive games streak, but he did it by playing at a very high level. Cal Ripken Jr. WAS the Baltimore Orioles. He was a class act on and off the field, signing autographs, making public appearances, helping out charitable organizations. No one ever wore the bird on the cap prouder than Cal Ripken Jr. Heck, he even moved to third base when the team asked him to towards the end of his illustrious career.

Let's not also forget his world title1, all-star appearances, awards and adulations that he picked up throughout his career. Indeed, Cal Ripken Jr. wasn't just a good player; he was a legend. Anyone that is mentioned in the same breath as Lou Gehrig deserves a little more respect than what is being given to him right now by some yahoos in the so-called “know.”

Sure, Tejada is a great player who has been in over 800 straight MLB games. He's also won an MVP and I respect that. But, he's been an all-star twice, has hit .300 only two times and is in but his second season with the O's. Where do some of these pro Tejada types get off? At 29, Miguel Tejada has plenty of great seasons ahead of him. However, he'd still have to play into his 40's to even come close to what Cal did during his legendary time in baseball