Ken Singleton

Jim Palmer had retired after a month in 1984. Al Bumbry and Ken Singleton were released after that season. Cal Ripken needed big hands to carry all the torches that were passed to him in 1985. Given additional responsibilities with the loss of some trusted veterans, Ripken placed first or second on the team in 12 offensive categories. Continuing to redefine his position, Ripken also led major-league shortstops in home runs, RBIs, runs and slugging percentage. And, of course, a consecutive-games streak kept building.

Scott Simpson, fresh off his first victory on the Champions Tour, has been added to the 2006 Constellation Energy Classic, which will be played Sept. 15-17 at Hayfields Country Club in Hunt Valley. Simpson, the 1987 U.S. Open champion, turned 50 during last year's CEC and is playing his first full season on the Champions Tour. Last Sunday, he birdied No. 18 at Pebble Beach to post a one-stroke victory in the Wal-Mart First Tee Open. Three-time winner Jay Haas headlines a CEC field that will include at least 12 of the top 15 players on this year's earnings list.

Before Orioles fans get a peek at their current team as it takes shape in spring training, they can revisit the past and remember better times. Leave the sunscreen at home. Members of the Orioles' 1983 World Series championship team, including Hall of Famers Cal Ripken Jr. and Eddie Murray, will sign autographs this weekend as part of Baseball's Best memorabilia show at the Baltimore Convention Center. The event, believed to be the first of its kind in the area, begins today and concludes Sunday.

Record night Rarely does a walk get so much attention, but Kevin Millar received a loud ovation because of one. Millar has reached base in 50 consecutive games, breaking Ken Singleton's club record. He checked his swing on a 3-1 pitch in the fifth, took a step toward first base and froze when plate umpire James Hoye called a strike. The next pitch was inches off the plate, and Millar again checked his swing, but first base umpire Chris Guccione ruled it a ball. Fans stood to applaud. Long ball Aubrey Huff has 10 RBIs in his past eight games, a total he padded last night with a bases-empty homer in the second inning.

BOSTON -- As far as John Oates was concerned, Mike Mussina's latest effort was just another night at the ballpark."He's mechanically sound, so he's going to be able to do the things he's supposed to do," the Orioles' manager said of his rookie righthander after the 9-2 win over the Red Sox.Mussina scattered 10 hits in recording his first major-league complete game -- and the first by an Orioles pitcher in Fenway Park since Mike Boddicker went the distance in...

One more swing will do it. The Orioles' Cal Ripken is only one home run away from becoming the fourth shortstop in major-league history to hit 30.Ripken clubbed No. 29 Saturday night against the Cleveland Indians, establishing a career-high. He hit 28 in his rookie year of 1982.The only shortstops who have hit 30 home runs are Ernie Banks of the Chicago Cubs, Rico Petrocelli of the Boston Red Sox and Vern Stephens, also of the Red Sox. Banks did it five times, with a high of 47 in 1958. Petrocelli did it most recently, with 40 in 1969.

The Baltimore area showed that it can respond to disasters as about 1,500 people toted food and clothing to Oriole Park at Camden Yards yesterday to help tornado victims.The ballpark sprang to life for a day as a drop-off site for supplies to aid Baltimoreans harmed by Tuesday's twisters.Boxes of food and trash bags full of clothes were piled high in front of the ballpark. Employees of the Orioles and two local radio stations buzzed around tables, gathering supplies from the stream of donors.

The Orioles today announced the players who will appear at the 2006 FanFest on Saturday, Jan. 7 at the Baltimore Convention Center. The event is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., with early admittance to all season plan holders at 9 a.m. Current players and coaches scheduled to attend: TIM BYRDAK DANIEL CABRERA BRUCE CHEN ERIC DUBOSE JAY GIBBONS CHRIS GOMEZ LUIS MATOS MELVIN MORA DAVID NEWHAN JOHN PARRISH AARON RAKERS CHRIS RAY BRIAN ROBERTS...

The greatest game never playedWBAL (1090 AM) will broadcast "The Greatest Game Never Played" Monday during the Dan Rodricks Show. The script, a fictional playoff game between the all-time greatest Orioles and Yankees, was written by Rodricks, and WBAL's Chuck Thompson and Rex Barney do the play-by-play.The action begins with the game tied in the seventh and Dave McNally coming on in relief of Mike Cuellar. Yankees include Yogi Berra, Tony Lazzeri, Phil Rizzuto, Babe Ruth, Billy Martin, Reggie Jackson and Lou Gehrig.

SAN DIEGO -- Orioles shortstop Cal Ripken has long been known locally for his involvement in a variety of Baltimore charitable endeavors, but yesterday he received national recognition for his contributions off the field.Ripken received the 22nd Roberto Clemente Award, which is given to the player who best exemplifies the humanitarian spirit exhibited by Hall of Fame outfielder Roberto Clemente and represents baseball as well off the field as he does on it."I'm very honored," said Ripken.