Great posts on both.  Bubba was a fan Favorite and gave us some memorable moments.  As for Ripken, John you couldn’t be more right.  True, Cal is a great ambassador for the game, but an above average player, not a great player.  And as much as his straek is to be admired, there is no question that he hurt his team as the streak progressed.  Don’t forget that Ripken did not travel with his team and, on the road,  did not stay in the same hotel that the team stayed in.  Team leader?