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Saying goodbye to Cal

By KEVIN KELLY

© St. Petersburg Times,
published August 21, 2001

Here's what the Rays have planned for their series finale Thursday against the Orioles, Cal Ripken's final game at Tropicana Field:

In honor of Ripken's uniform number, outfield seats will cost $8.

Ripken photo cards will be distributed to the first 25,000 fans. Seventy-five will be autographed by the future Hall of Famer.

The Rays will donate $5,000 to the Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation as part of a pregame ceremony that will include a video tribute.

Players from the Cal Ripken Youth Leagues in Sarasota and Forrest Park will attend.

Ripken will throw out the first pitch to Rays manager Hal McRae, who played in Ripken's first major-league game Aug. 10, 1981.

An autographed bat and ball will be auctioned during each of the three games, with proceeds going to the Rays of Hope Foundation and Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation.

A fan will walk away with the commemorative third base used during the game.

A fan will present Ripken with a card before the game. The "Thanks Cal" card was signed by fans at the Rays' past homestand.

One fan will win two round-trip airline tickets, hotel accommodations and game tickets to see Ripken's final game at Camden Yards on Sept. 23 against the Yankees.

The Rays will auction a set of game-used bases, a commemorative on-deck circle, a lineup card from the game, an autographed photo card and home plate box seats to the game via www.devilrays.com.

All items, except for the game tickets, will be auctioned through Aug. 28. The tickets will be auctioned through Wednesday. Proceeds go to the Rays of Hope Foundation.

-- Compiled by Kevin Kelly from information provided by the Rays.

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