Meeting Cal Ripken Jr. was pretty awesome

I was fortunate enough to meet one of the most iconic American sports figures in history on Tuesday.

Cal Ripken Jr., the former Baltimore Oriel who broke the career record for consecutive games played, spoke at Amarillo College for its Distinguished Lecture series.

Before he spoke at AC, he allowed five minutes of interview time with the local press, which included the Globe-News and the AC Ranger.


I wasn't originally scheduled to be there for the interview, but the Globe-News' main news-side columnist, John Mark, wasn't able to attend the media availability, so I offered my services.

I did absolutely no work during the interview (pictured above, photo by Globe-News photographer Stephen "Spilly" Spillman), though I did take notes, record the interview and appear to work.

As he approached us at the table, with wine being opened behind us for the meet-and-greet reception planned for the room later that evening, he offered me a handshake, followed by Globe-News Sports Editor Lance Lahnert and the Ranger reporters.

That was one of the coolest things I've ever done on this job, though my one-on-one lunch interview with Don Shula, the NFL coach who led Miami to the league's only perfect season, still tops the list (Sorry, Cal).