Fridays with Mac: "Integrity Iron Man"

It was a beautiful opening day of baseball at Coors Field for the Colorado Rockies as they hosted the Los Angeles Dodgers. This Friday with Mac had your scribe commanding the television remote at Bill McCartney’s home and flipping between action in downtown Denver and second-round play from the 85th edition of the Masters golf tournament. It featured Tiger Woods’ return to competitive golf after a horrific car crash almost cost the 15-time major champion his right leg in early 2021. 

It was a great day to watch sports for the Hall of Fame coach who, as a high school three-sport standout in Detroit, enjoyed playing baseball as a slick-fielding shortstop. When the conversation focused on what used to be “America’s Past Time” it triggered recollection of recently attending the Denver Area Boy Scout’s annual awards breakfast. Another Hall of Famer, Baltimore Oriole legendary shortstop Cal Ripken, Jr., was the featured guest.

“Billy Mac from Hackensack, you would have loved what Ripken had to say about integrity,” was the opening salvo in recapping remarks baseball’s “Ironman” shared with a captive audience of more than 500 inside Ball Arena. The only coach to ever lead the Colorado Buffaloes to a national collegiate football title sat upright in his favorite chair, took eyes off the television and bellowed, “Wrong arm (I’m left-handed) tell me more.”

Ripken, a 19-time All Star, talked extensively about the incredible 2,632 consecutive games played from 1982-1989. A record most believe will never be broken. “It wasn’t about the number of games,” the 1983 World Series champion shared. “It was about being a leader and showing teammates and opponents the importance of preserving the integrity of the game.”

Now 61 and still active in baseball through ownership of three minor league teams and promoting the game around the world, Ripken recalled the 1982 season (when Ripken’s streak began) and the Orioles and Milwaukee Brewers playing a season-ending series. It would determine who won the American League East title. Milwaukee ended up winning the division by one game. “I thought back on the year and realized, a game in April, May, June, July, August or September, could have made the difference in avoiding a do-or-die situation. It was that moment which cemented in my brain the value of understanding my role in showing up every day ready to play to the best of my ability and understanding, every day counts.”

Coach Mac was levitating to, “Show up, do your job and make every day count” as I continued to share more stories from Ripken about integrity. Another memorable one was the two-time American League MVP’s stance on stealing signs. It’s been part of baseball forever and one the 2017-18 Houston Astros took to egregious heights. “I never wanted a teammate on second base to relay any information on the pitch and never offered any to a teammate at the plate when I was on second base. To me, it was always a contest between me and the pitcher.” Cal, right on dude.

I had one more story of integrity from the lanky 6’5” shortstop that brought a broad smile to McCartney’s face. Ripken’s father, Cal, a career professional baseball coach and manager, always detested infielders who would try and pull the “hidden ball trick” against opponents and sternly told his sons (brother Billy also played in the big leagues for Baltimore) to never attempt it. One season, Ripken’s second-base Orioles’ teammate was trying to pull it off. Ripken would have nothing to do with it. “I told the runner, don’t move off the second base bag. I could hear my dad’s voice in my head. It’s just not the way to play the game.”

Tiger made a birdie at Augusta in the second round, the Rockies scored two runs but McCartney didn’t notice. Ripken, baseball’s 1992 “Roberto Clemente Award” winner for exemplifying the game, sportsmanship, community involvement and contributions to his team, was consuming the 81-year-old’s cranium.“Ripken’s the Integrity Iron Man. Show up, do your job and make every day count.” Brilliant. It’s true for baseball and life!” Amen coach.