AUBURN, Ala. – With 39 Auburn baseball players listening intently, hall of famer Cal Ripken Jr. talked Saturday about his journey from Baltimore to Cooperstown.
"It's about your approach," said Ripken, a 19-time all-star with 3,184 career hits. "Ultimately, it's about your attitude."
Ripken told the Tigers how, early in his career, he would tighten up in all-star games, so eager to hold his own against the game's best.
"It's the same game," Ripken said he learned over time. "The importance of the game doesn't change how you execute. Nothing happens when you try too hard. Good things happen when you're able to control yourself in moments of high pressure."
The next day, with Auburn and Mississippi State tied 11-11 and a runner on second, Cole Foster singled home the winning run on an 0-2 pitch in the bottom of the ninth to help the Tigers take the series.
"Throughout the game I was trying to shorten up and have the shortest swing on a big pitch," Foster said. "I shortened up, got my hands through, got a barrel to the ball and I was happy with what happened."
Approach plus attitude: Cal Ripken's message to Auburn's baseball team
In a two-week span, Auburn's baseball team received instruction from and interacted with one GOAT and two hall of famers: Ripken and fellow National Baseball Hall of Fame member Frank Thomas, and Bo Jackson, at or near the top of any discerning list of greatest all-time athletes.
"Kind of like EF Hutton, when he speaks you listen," Auburn coach Butch Thompson said. "When somebody is so passionate about baseball, they love to share, so I appreciate Cal Ripken for doing that.
"When somebody of that caliber – like Cal, Bo or Frank – stands before these student-athletes, the reinforcement we get as a coaching staff is incredible. We're trying to pass these nuggets down and it strengthens our message when they hear these same thoughts from people of this stature. It enriches the student-athlete experience."
Revered for breaking Lou Gehrig's 2,130-consecutive-games streak and extending it to 2,632, Ripken told the Tigers how he was able to play in every Orioles game for more than 16 straight seasons.
"My job was to show up ready to play every day," Ripken said. "My attitude was to be available. That willingness allowed that streak to happen."
Ripken's talk to the baseball team coincided with his daughter's tour of Auburn University's College of Veterinary Medicine. Thomas returned April 6-8 for the unveiling of his statue outside Plainsman Park. Jackson threw out the first pitch before the opening game of the Mississippi State series on the eve of his Bo Bikes Bama benefit ride.
Hall of Famer Frank Thomas with Auburn's baseball team on April 8
"For Frank and Bo to come back, they absolutely understand legacy," said Thompson, referencing the three pillars he relies on to lead Auburn's baseball program. "We've talked about attack, legacy, vision.
"For our greatest to come back, it sets an amazing example for our players that you can be connected to this university for the rest of your life. It creates a richer, deeper connection to Auburn when people of their stature come back to campus."
After Ripken's talk, senior catcher Nate LaRue asked "The Iron Man" about his approach at the plate.
"Have a plan, then get in the box and execute in a stubborn sort of way," Ripken said. "I can't name two hitters in the big leagues who hit the same way. Learn you and be your best coach. Practice routines that get results on the field, then stick with those routines."
The next day, LaRue hit his first home run of the season to help the Tigers overcome a seven-run deficit.
"I appreciate those guys continuing to invest and show those examples," Thompson said. "That's huge for our young people."
Baseball's 'Iron Man,' Cal Ripken, imparted wisdom during Auburn's series vs. Mississippi State
Jeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on Twitter: @jeff_shearer