Violet Ripken, mother of Cal Jr., dies at 82
Updated Feb 28, 2021;
ABERDEEN, Md. Vi Ripken, matriarch of the famed Orioles family that includes Hall of Fame son Cal Ripken Jr. and once the victim of a bizarre kidnapping, has died. She was 82.
Family spokesman John Maroon said Sunday that she died on Friday, a day before her birthday, in Aberdeen, where a youth stadium carries the Ripken name.
Violet and Cal Ripken Sr. married in 1957, and he spent four decades in the Baltimore system as a player, minor league coach and manager. He managed the Orioles in 1987 and early 1988, when sons Cal Jr. and Billy played infield for him.
Vi Ripken, mother of Cal Jr and kidnap victim, dies at 82
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Ryan Ripken believes he can be a big leaguer An invitation to Orioles spring training is a big step
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The Orioles didn’t get to see Heston Kjerstad at their alternate training site or instructional camp last summer after selecting the slugging outfielder No. 2 in the 2020 Draft. On Friday, O’s GM/EVP Mike Elias revealed why.
Elias said Kjerstad was sidelined due to “an episode of myocarditis,” a viral infection that causes inflammation of the heart muscle. Elias said Kjerstad is expected to report to Spring Training late due to the condition.
“He’s doing really well and we’re going to have him at the camp, but we’re still emerging from the timeline of that,” Elias said. “It’s a bit of a lengthy recovery timeline and there are also risk factors associated with the ongoing pandemic we need to be very mindful and careful about as well.”