ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, April 3, 1997 TAG: 9704030037
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: BALTIMORE
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
Cal Ripken, the new third baseman for the Orioles, also has an option year for 2000 worth $6.3 million.
Cal Ripken agreed to a contract extension Wednesday that virtually assures him of playing his entire career with the Baltimore Orioles.
The extension guarantees the perennial All-Star $15.1 million over the 1998 and 1999 seasons. He will get $6.3 million in each of the next two years. The Orioles have an option for 2000 at $6.3 million with a $2.5 million buyout.
Ripken, 36, was entering the final season of a $32.5 million, five-year contract. The new deal was announced at a news conference after Ripken homered and hit two doubles in the Orioles' 4-2 opening-day win over Kansas City.
``I don't think we had a deal until after the home run,'' Ripken said with a grin.
The sides had been negotiating for several weeks in an effort to get the contract completed by opening day.
``To me it has more special meaning than most because I grew up in the area,'' Ripken said. ``I always wanted to be an Oriole. I was drafted as an Oriole. ... It's very rare that someone gets the opportunity to play for the same team their whole career. Don't think that I don't think I'm lucky in that regard. This is a very happy day. It takes me to a point that very well could be the end of my career. I hope not but it very well could be.''
Ripken and general manager Pat Gillick said they would not negotiate past the opener, and now Ripken has a contract that will keep him in a Baltimore uniform through his 40th birthday.
``There was a lot of give and take on both sides,'' Gillick said. ``We're happy that Cal is going to remain here in Baltimore, where he should be. Where he was drafted, developed and has played his entire career.''
Ripken played in his major league-record 2,317th consecutive game, only the seventh at third base since July 1982. Ripken broke Lou Gehrig's record of 2,130 consecutive games on Sept. 6, 1995. Last year he played in his 2,216th game, breaking the world mark set by Sachio Kinugasa of Japan.
LENGTH: Short : 48 lines KEYWORDS: BASEBALLby CNB