Cal Ripken, Jr., 2007 Upper Deck Masterpieces #53

It's time once again for me to escape from work and home for a week in Ocean City, MD with the family. In my stead, I leave you with a week of Cal Ripken, Jr. cards. I have hundreds, so why not show off seven that grabbed my attention in one way or another? Have a good week, folks. See you back here for the holiday weekend!

Brooks Robinson, 2007 Upper Deck Masterpieces #13

Shocking news today, as Brooks Robinson disclosed that he had recently undergone treatment for prostate cancer. He was speaking in Baltimore at a luncheon for the American Cancer Society, and thankfully the news was good. His condition was diagnosed early and he underwent a series of 39 radiation treatments. The 71-year-old Hall of Famer says that he's perfectly healthy now, and is glad that he was so conscientious about his health. I'm certain that thousands of Orioles fans - and baseball fans in general - are even more relieved than he is. I've never heard of someone who met Brooks and didn't come away impressed by his friendliness and candor. In recent years, Baltimore has lost too many of its baseball heroes: Dave McNally, Hank Bauer, Elrod Hendricks, Mark Belanger, Steve Barber. It sounds like "Hoover" will be around for several years to come, as it should be.