Could Sunday be more epic than Cal's 2131?

**TL24x7** · 01-04-2013, 03:07 PM

I think it’s important to remember that no one, including Cal Ripken himself, knew what 2131 would become. There was a ton of spontaneity there and I’d argue that the spontaneity was far more memorable than the planned events for that evening, particularly a rather weak speech from Peter Angelos.

Do we know what will happen on Sunday? No. But given the stakes and the finality of the game, I believe it will be more epic than 2131 should the Ravens win as I expect. I guess we’ll wait and see.

**SHORTTRACK** · 01-04-2013, 03:12 PM

Originally Posted by TL24x7

particularly a rather weak speech from Peter Angelos.

Not to mention excruciatingly long. Is he done talking yet?

**bacchys** · 01-04-2013, 04:54 PM

Originally Posted by jonboy79

Being a non Baltimore native, I have to chuckle at this.

I really don't think that baltimore natives and fans have the right kind of grasp on Cal that the rest of the world does. He is immortalized in Baltimore for having "perfect attendance" something that is nowhere near as big a deal elsewhere as it is here....

Ray Lewis is a MUCH bigger national figure. I think this game has FAR more national impact then Cal's perfect attendance streak game.

Cal is immortalized in Baltimore for being Cal. The Streak is great and awe-inspiring, both for the perseverance it shows as well as the luck (avoiding freak injuries, etc). Ripken wasn't just a Baltimore sports figure at the time, however. Up through the end of his career, he'd get standing ovations at away ballparks. He'd spend hours at away ballparks signing autographs for the fans of other teams. Opposing players would make a point of going up to talk to him. Talking with the other team after a game is fairly common in the NFL. It's not common in the MLB, then or now.

The OP makes a good argument, and he's entitled to feel that way, but this isn't as big as 2131. That was the breaking of an historic record. There's no one close to touching Gehrig now, let alone Ripken. Given the way the game is played today, it's very possible Ripken's record will never be broken.

Lewis is a transcendental figure, I'll grant you. He's become something of the Godfather of the NFL. Players on other teams look up to him and seek his advice on a frequent basis. He's friends with multiple players on every team, and at the end of a Ravens game you will invariably see him meeting and talking with players from the opposing team regardless of the outcome of the game. In that, he's like Gino Marchetti was in his day: someone everyone from the owner of his team to players on other teams respected, admired, and sought out for advice (Shula got the coaching job here in Baltimore because Rosenbloom asked Marchetti who he should hire to replace Ewbank). But this is his (probably) last home game, not a chance to break an all-time record. It'll be a great and bittersweet moment for Ravens fans, especially since Lewis is the last of the original Ravens and he's meant so much to this franchise and fan base, but it's not 2131.

**AirFlacco** · 01-04-2013, 05:19 PM

Originally Posted by moose10101

Will they do it Sunday? Of course not. They're all kind of busy getting ready for a playoff game.

Ray will get his ceremony next year when he goes into the Ring of Honor. And I'm pretty sure he doesn't need an SUV. It always seemed kind of dumb to me to give stuff like that to a multi-millionaire.

Yea, like Cal really needed one but he was smiling and loved it. O's did it when Cal broke the record playoff or no playoff
in front of a full house which was all the time back then.

**Filmstudy** · 01-04-2013, 05:44 PM

2131 was special. Cal's lap around the field is something I'll never forget, but I think Ray's departure is going to be even more epic due to the impact it will have on an important game.

As much of an event as it was. The date for 2131 was known well in advance and planned so there was little chance a rainout would spoil it as a road game. From 3 years prior it was known with a higher degree of certainty that he would break the record than the Aaron was a sure thing to make it to 715. Both were terrific accomplishments, yet they were anticlimactic in a way.

Sunday is going to have an element of spontenaeity and crowd involvement that will be unique.

Specifically, Ray Lewis will be the conductor for that crowd all Sunday afternoon. When he raises his arms for noise, there will be noise like you have never heard before at M&T. If you are there and the Ravens win, it won't be the dance, nor probably any other activity planned that you'll remember best, it will be those key moments in the game where Ray lifted his arms on 3rd and 4, you screamed at the top of your lungs, and Luck seemed pressured into a turnover, sack, penalty, or simply a failed conversion. You'll remember that Ray Lewis made that happen, and you were there to contribute in some way.

The only Orioles moment which truly made me get teary was the closing of Memorial Stadium and the former Orioles taking the field at their positions 1 last time.

One more thing...which meant more to you in Baltimore sports history:

--Eddie Murray or FRobby's 500th home run
--Johnny Unitas' last TD pass

For a lot of reasons, if you chose the latter I think you'll say this is the greatest individual moment in Baltimore Sports history.

**Terpsfan82** · 01-04-2013, 05:46 PM

Originally Posted by Filmstudy

2131 was special. Cal's lap around the field is something I'll never forget, but I think Ray's departure is going to be even more epic due to the impact it will have on an important game.

Specifically, Ray Lewis will be the conductor for that crowd all Sunday afternoon. When he raises his arms for noise, there will be noise like you have never heard before at M&T. If you are there and the Ravens win, it won't be the dance, nor probably any other activity planned that you'll remember best, it will be those key moments in the game where Ray lifted his arms on 3rd and 4, you screamed at the top of your lungs, and Luck seemed either pressured into a turnover, sack, penalty, or simply a failed conversion. You'll remember that Ray Lewis made that happen, and you were there to contribute in some way.

I swear I'm so pumped up I could fight right now. Sunday can't come soon enough.

**The Fanatic** · 01-04-2013, 05:56 PM

Originally Posted by camdenyard

Maybe if Ray returns an INT in OT for the winning TD...wouldn't that be something.

While certainly that would be exciting to say the least, I'd just assume pass on having to endure that type of drama in This game.
Not sure my heart could withstand the strain that type of game would put on it.

Originally Posted by Filmstudy

Sunday is going to have an element of spontenaeity and crowd involvement that will be unique.

Specifically, Ray Lewis will be the conductor for that crowd all Sunday afternoon. When he raises his arms for noise, there will be noise like you have never heard before at M&T. If you are there and the Ravens win, it won't be the dance, nor probably any other activity planned that you'll remember best, it will be those key moments in the game where Ray lifted his arms on 3rd and 4, you screamed at the top of your lungs, and Luck seemed either pressured into a turnover, sack, penalty, or simply a failed conversion. You'll remember that Ray Lewis made that happen, and you were there to contribute in some way.

Boy, that's deep right there Filmstudy.

**Ravenswintitle** · 01-04-2013, 06:04 PM

In my mind, Ray is 10,000 times bigger than Cal.

**Paintballguy** · 01-04-2013, 07:03 PM

Originally Posted by Filmstudy

2131 was special. Cal's lap around the field is something I'll never forget, but I think Ray's departure is going to be even more epic due to the impact it will have on an important game.

As much of an event as it was. The date for 2131 was known well in advance and planned so there was little chance a rainout would spoil it as a road game. From 3 years prior it was known with a higher degree of certainty that he would break the record than the Aaron was a sure thing to make it to 715. Both were terrific accomplishments, yet they were anticlimactic in a way.

Sunday is going to have an element of spontenaeity and crowd involvement that will be unique.

Specifically, Ray Lewis will be the conductor for that crowd all Sunday afternoon. When he raises his arms for noise, there will be noise like you have never heard before at M&T. If you are there and the Ravens win, it won't be the dance, nor probably any other activity planned that you'll remember best, it will be those key moments in the game where Ray lifted his arms on 3rd and 4, you screamed at the top of your lungs, and Luck seemed pressured into a turnover, sack, penalty, or simply a failed conversion. You'll remember that Ray Lewis made that happen, and you were there to contribute in some way.

The only Orioles moment which truly made me get teary was the closing of Memorial Stadium and the former Orioles taking the field at their positions 1 last time.

One more thing...which meant more to you in Baltimore sports history:

--Eddie Murray or FRobby's 500th home run
--Johnny Unitas' last TD pass

For a lot of reasons, if you chose the latter I think you'll say this is the greatest individual moment in Baltimore Sports history.

It gives me chills just thinking about how this game is going to be. There is no doubt that the atmosphere will be electric on Sunday at the bank. Man I can't wait.

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**Ravenalytics** · 01-04-2013, 08:15 PM

No one cares about baseball anymore. Sorry folks! NFL is king and the heart and soul of the entire CONCEPT of defense is playing his last home game.

I expect madness.

**Paintballguy** · 01-04-2013, 08:21 PM

Originally Posted by Ravenalytics

No one cares about baseball anymore. Sorry folks! NFL is king and the heart and soul of the entire CONCEPT of defense is playing his last home game.

I expect madness.

I agree and I spent a lot of my life playing baseball. Nobody cares about baseball anymore. No way the o's repeat what they did.

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**somedumbguy** · 01-04-2013, 08:52 PM

Originally Posted by Paintballguy

I agree and I spent a lot of my life playing baseball. Nobody cares about baseball anymore. No way the o's repeat what they did.

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I realize this is a football message board and I don't argue that football is king, but to say nobody cares about baseball is silly. Peter Angelos has ruined baseball in this town, but what Buck Showalter just did last season was incredible and Baltimore was jumping for the Orioles down the stretch. If the Orioles put a consistant quality product on the field, Camden Yards would fill up again.

**Paintballguy** · 01-04-2013, 09:03 PM

Originally Posted by somedumbguy

If the Orioles put a consistant quality product on the field, Camden Yards would fill up again.

Not gonna happen. Last year was a miracle year. They won so many close games and had a lights out bullpen. Ill eat my words if it does happen but I doubt it.

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**grandraven** · 01-04-2013, 10:13 PM

Originally Posted by Paintballguy

Not gonna happen. Last year was a miracle year. They won so many close games and had a lights out bullpen. Ill eat my words if it does happen but I doubt it.

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And you see everyone else making moves but the O's. Glad they kept Davis.

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**AirFlacco** · 01-04-2013, 10:24 PM

Originally Posted by Ravenalytics

No one cares about baseball anymore. Sorry folks! NFL is king and the heart and soul of the entire CONCEPT of defense is playing his last home game.

I expect madness.

Baltimore always was and always will be a football town. Even when the O's won those world series the Colts were still
the kings in this town and the Ravens are now.

**JohnBKistler** · 01-05-2013, 07:03 AM

My personal view...

I more appreciate the team achievements and not so much individual ones. So while Ripken's consecutive game streak and Ray's retirement are certainly "special" moments, to me they don't equate to those "special" team moments: Os winning the WS, the first home Ravens playoff game, winning the SB, etc.

"Equate" and "compare" are the wrong words....not saying team moments are better...just that they are different occasions. Having a hard time putting my thoughts into words.....

So seeing Ray dance out of the tunnel one last time will be special, no doubt. The fact that is is combined with a playoff game is certainly good theatre.

I suspect, for me at least, how "epic" the day becomes is going to be determined by what happens in the next 60 minutes.

**bacchys** · 01-05-2013, 09:47 AM

Originally Posted by Paintballguy

I agree and I spent a lot of my life playing baseball. Nobody cares about baseball anymore. No way the o's repeat what they did.

I didn't play baseball, but I care about it now. I guess I'm nobody.

In my neighborhood, boys played lacrosse. We didn't have pick-up baseball games. We had pick-up lacrosse games. While I rooted for the O's (naturally! I was raised right!), I didn't understand or care about baseball. It wasn't until I started working at the Point after getting out of the Army that I began to develop an appreciation of the game.

**bacchys** · 01-05-2013, 09:50 AM

Originally Posted by AirFlacco

Baltimore always was and always will be a football town. Even when the O's won those world series the Colts were still
the kings in this town and the Ravens are now.

The Colts were, yes. Unfortunately, that wasn't true when it came to city and state politicians, who seem to have valued the Orioles more than the Colts.

Rosenbloom and the Drunken Bastard had legitimate complaints about Memorial Stadium and the differing treatment the two professional franchises received in their leases of the place. The Orioles's favoured status with city and state politicians and bureaucrats played a large role in Rosenbloom's heading for the Rams and the Drunken Bastard's sneaking out of town.

**The Fanatic** · 01-05-2013, 01:26 PM

Originally Posted by camdenyard

Maybe if Ray returns an INT in OT for the winning TD...wouldn't that be something.

The more I think about this, the more I want this to be a curb stomping of epic proportions.

I want to see these mother fuckers beat into submission!!

Come the end of the 3rd quarter I want Andrew Luck laying on his back staring up at Suggs or Kruger screaming "No Mas".

I want that entire team getting on that bus ruing the day they stepped foot into this city and unable to ever forget the day they had to come here and play the Baltimore Ravens on this day that is Ray Lewis' day to enjoy with his teammates and the fans of this team.

Oh My God I'm ready to go right now!!!

Is it game time yet??

**Paintballguy** · 01-05-2013, 01:32 PM

Originally Posted by bacchys

I didn't play baseball, but I care about it now. I guess I'm nobody.

In my neighborhood, boys played lacrosse. We didn't have pick-up baseball games. We had pick-up lacrosse games. While I rooted for the O's (naturally! I was raised right!), I didn't understand or care about baseball. It wasn't until I started working at the Point after getting out of the Army that I began to develop an appreciation of the game.

I still like baseball. I still play in a rec league with friends. It's just not as exciting for me to watch. Plus the regular season is so long it's hard to follow every single game.

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