Canseco takes swing at Ripken

Baltimore Sun ^ | February 15, 2005 | Jeff Barker

[Mr. Mojo]

Orioles great one of 'the total phonies,' got preferential treatment

Jose Canseco's new book focuses largely on steroids, but the retired slugger couldn't resist hurling a few non-steroid-related insults at former Oriole Cal Ripken.

"I can just throw up watching the total phonies go to work, guys like Cal Ripken or Alex Rodriguez; everything out of their mouths sounds like it was tested by some kind of focus group beforehand," Canseco writes of the two shortstops.

The Cuban-born Canseco suggests in the book that he often was singled out for media criticism because he was a minority. Ripken, he says, was "untouchable."

"Throughout his career, Cal Ripken Jr. was completely protected by the media. With his family history in baseball, he was one of those untouchable players, the guy who could do no wrong," Canseco writes.......

[Mr. Mojo]

Ripken's agent said it all (regarding Canseco's assertions): "It's hard to respond to a stream of consciousness absurdity but Cal Ripken's career and life speaks for itself.

[Blueflag]

Poor Jose. Just paint an "L" on his forehead.

Sad he is is so bitter.

[yarddog]

Maybe the reason they don't criticize Ripkin is because he doesn't do things for which he could be criticized for.

The idea that minorities are more open to criticism is absurd. Just ask Rush.

[Clemenza]

Particularly since Jose is as white as I am. He don't exactly look like an Afro-Cuban to me.

[demlosers]

The Canseco 'hype the book' tour goes on. I suppose he wants more money or some extra attention.

[sgtbono2002]

So many times the ankle-biters of this world have to strike out at the real men. As said Ripkens record stand on its own , his work with kids stands on its own. Its too bad Conseco isnt smart enough to realise that by bad-mouthing a real man he becomes even smaller in the minds of sports fans.

[zzen01]

Gee there Jose, Can you match Cal Ripkin Jr World Series Ring for WS Ring?!

[Mr. Mojo]

Amen.

[Dan from Michigan]

The Cuban-born Canseco suggests in the book that he often was singled out for media criticism because he was a minority.

LOL. He's as white as a ghost.

[yarddog]

I remember when Cal Ripkins Sr. was manager of the Asheville, Orioles in the Southern League. His boys were always at the games as was his daughter.

[DCPatriot]

Cal Ripken indirectly was responsible for the Orioles being bridesmaids and not champions.

The Streak became bigger than him.

He should have been moved to 3rd base long before Mike Bordick arrived. His range was diminished and his bat speed hardly provided warning track power for too many years.

[Phsstpok]

Jose Canseco will now, forever, be associated with the term "pathetic junkie loser."

It is now safe to completely ignore anything he has ever said or ever will say.

His Warhol time expired about 14 minutes ago.

[silent_jonny]

"[Ripken] could do no wrong," Canseco writes.......

What did Ripken ever do that could be labled "wrong"?

[Sonny M]

A-Rod has got to be one of the phoniest athletes to ever play in Dallas

Dallas?

How is Conseco using racism while A-Rod is also spanish.

[Hildy]

Wow..maybe the press didn't like him because they realized what an asshole he was even back then. I'll take a phony over an asshole any day.

[ConservativeTerrapin]

How dare he? Canseco is a loser, a former bash brother gone wrong. I will be surprised if he makes it in Cooperstown.

I for one will always admire what Cal Ripken Jr. has done for baseball. I miss him dearly.

[grey_whiskers]

He should have been moved to 3rd base long before Mike Bordick arrived. His range was diminished and his bat speed hardly provided warning track power for too many years.

I just wish the Orioles never let Eddie Murray go...
or Earl Weaver...
or..
aw, shucks, I'll just say it:

Long live the '69 - '71 Orioles!

Full Disclosure: Aww, Brooks woulda' got that one!

[BlessedByLiberty]

Perhaps not taking drugs, slapping around women or not succumbing to other vices is wrong in Canseco's mind?

The Media fawning over Canseco's gossipy book is ridiculous; so reminiscent of the Anti-Bush books before the election.

Canseco is not half the player, nor half the man of many of those he seeks to destroy with his gossip.

...and they say women are catty....meow!

[Viking2002]

Canseco can go scratch his ass.