God Created the Little Brother

Let's hear it for little brothers.

Today, Cal Ripken (aka, the Greatest Shortstop Ever) goes into the Hall of Fame. I'm of course going to watch the induction ceremony as one my all-time favorite players gets an ugly brown plaque. At the end of the stage, staring out at everyone uncomfortably, will be Cal's little brother, Billy.

Billy actually had a pretty decent career. He played for 12 seasons as a defensive specialist, even spending 724 games as his big brother's double play partner. And while his brother was polishing up the resume for a Hall of Fame career, Billy managed to eke out 2500 less hits and a batting average 30 points lower.

I'm willing to bet Thanksgiving was a little uncomfortable as their mom bragged about Cal while Billy had to sit there and try and point out he led AL second basemen in fielding percentage in 1992. Which is not nearly as cool as two MVP Awards.

But Billy will always have this on Cal: he was on the most famous baseball card of time. Cal might have gone to 19 All-Star Games, but he never appeared on baseball card holding a bat which read: FUCK FACE. Take immortality where you can get it. We here at Poseur HQ salute you, Billy Ripken, the greatest prankster in Oriole history.