Ken Singleton

Since major-league baseball players went on strike in August, irate fans have abused players at autograph sessions and vented their feelings on radio talk shows.However, the Tufton Group in Lutherville might as well be on another baseball world. The company, which handles Cal Ripken's appearances and endorsements, continues to receive a lot of phone calls and mail -- all positive."There have been supportive letters, and letters calling on Cal as a team leader to do something to end the work stoppage," says JoAnn Peroutka.

IT IS time, as the last baseball season of the 1900s begins, to put together the Baltimore team of the century. That is, a lineup of the best players to have pitched, batted and fielded in this city's behalf.Such a project could be carried out in committee of the whole (48,876 seating capacity) ballpark, or by any one centenarian. The ensuing argument could carry us into the 2000s.Rules: to be eligible, a nominee must have played at least one full, pennant-standings inning for a Baltimore team in the American, Federal, Negro or International leagues, in the 1900s (sorry, Judy Johnson, Jimmie Foxx, Al Kaline)

During the past two years, John Lowenstein has been seen all over the western United States and Canada. From cigar festivals in Arizona to Alaskan cruises to trips through British Columbia, the iconoclastic former Orioles outfielder-turned television analyst has been in more places than Waldo.Where he hasn't been, since the end of the 1996 season, is the Orioles' broadcast booth, and from just outside the hot tub at his Las Vegas home yesterday, Lowenstein said he's tanned, rested and ready to get back to calling the action.

The next time you watch an obnoxious baseball player throw a ball at a fan or toss a set of bats out of the dugout in a fit of anger, or whine that $3 million is an insulting amount of money to be paid, you might consider another side to the story before you write them all off as spoiled brats:In Seattle, baseball star Harold Reynolds spends $250,000 out of his own pocket to produce a series of free children's books that stress family values and warn against...

Oriole Hall of Famer Cal Ripken Jr. drew a laugh Sunday during his commencement address at the University of Maryland, College Park when he noted his wife, Kelly, graduated from the university, "although she will not allow me to reveal the year. " Dressed in a black robe and glasses, Ripken paused, leaned into the microphone carefully and said in a stage whisper, "1981. " The Comcast Center was packed to the rafters with family, friends and members of the Class of 2013. More than 7,700 students received degrees - although not at the campus-wide ceremony.

May 22, 1976: Ken Singleton hit a grand slam in the bottom of the ninth inning to give the Orioles an 8-4 victory over the Tigers.

Cal Ripken hit his 30th homer Wednesday night, becoming the eighth Oriole to hit that mark. Club membership:HRs.. Player.. .. .. .. Year49 .. Frank Robinson .. 196646 .. Jim Gentile .. .. 196139 .. Boog Powell .. .. 196437 .. Powell.. .. .. .. 196935 .. Powell.. .. .. .. 1970.. .. Ken Singleton. .. 197934 .. Powell.. .. .. .. 196633 .. Gentile. .. .. .. 1962.. .. Eddie Murray.. .. 198332 .. Robinson .. .. .. 1969.. .. Murray.. .. .. .. 1980.. .. Murray.. .. .. .. 198231 .. Murray.. .. .. .. 1985.

An All-Star lineup based on number of times names to team as an Oriole:Pitcher: Jime Palmer (6 games)Pitcher: Mike Mussina (3 games)Pitcher: Dave McNally (3 games)Pitcher: Mike Cuellar (3 games)Pitcher: Milt Pappas (3 games)Pitcher: Hoyt Wilhelm (3 games)CAtcher: Gus Triandos (3 games)First baseman: Eddie Murray (6 games)Second baseman: Davey Johnson and Bobby Grich (3 games)Shortstop: Cal Ripken (15 games)Third baseman: Brooks Robinson (18 games)Outfielder: Frank Robinson (5 games)Outfield: Ken Singleton (4 games)

Braves: Greg Maddux threw 70 strikes in 100 pitches.Rockies: Colorado completed a 13-game homestand, its longest the season, with a 3-10 record.Marlins: Florida has outscored its opponents 28-11 in the first inning. Bobby Bonilla, who hit an RBI single in the fifth, moved within one RBI of ex-Oriole Ken Singleton for ninth place on the career RBI list for switch-hitters. Bonilla has 1,064 RBIs during his 13-year career.Diamondbacks: Catcher Jorge Fabregas threw out Florida's Derrek Lee, who was attempting to steal second in the fourth, and has thrown out seven of 12 would-be base stealers.

For several years John Weiss, a professor of art at the University of Delaware, has traveled the country photographing baseball players -- both established stars and younger players. His photos have been gathered in a book, "The Face of Baseball," and 40 of the works from the book are included in an exhibit at the Babe Ruth Birthplace and Baseball Center. Among the players pictured are the three Ripkens -- Cal Sr. and Jr. and Bill -- and Orioles Mike Flanagan, Ken Singleton and Dennis Martinez.