Press release excerpt:
MASN, the television home of the Balimore Orioles, has announced that Billy Ripken, former Oriole and brother of Cal Ripken Jr., will serve as a color analyst during the network's pre and post game show, O's Xtra, from July 8th through July 10th.
Ripken brings decades of experience in professional baseball and the Orioles organization to the O's Xtra broadcast. He will join veteran Orioles broadcaster Tom Davis in the studio for the entire series against the Toronto Blue Jays.
Oh man.
Billy was one of the worst hitters you'll ever see on God's green earth, yet somehow hit .290 in 1990, which led the Orioles (456 plate appearances).
I suppose his most memorable season, though, had to be '88. Billy was a key factor in those O's being as horrible as they were. Yeah, the guy could pick it a little, but he hit .207/.260/.258 that year, and he was an everyday player, good for a 48 OPS+ and a .191 EqA. Just an awful, awful season, so bad that you have to appreciate the fact that he continued to run himself out there thanks to his last name.
But I'm not really trying to hate. It's just that if you talk about Billy Ripken, it's hard to not talk about his horrendous '88 season.
Get ready for some wacky insight!