May 21, 2013
WASHINGTON (AP) -- A couple of weeks after his induction into
baseball's Hall of Fame, Augusta Greenjackets' owner Cal Ripken Junior has been appointed to the role of special envoy for the State Department. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, a well-known sports fan, made the formal announcement today.
Rice paid tribute to Ripken's record-breaking streak of 2,632
consecutive games played, joking that she expects the Iron Man to
keep up that kind of perseverance.
The former Baltimore Oriole says he hopes to promote teamwork
and cross-cultural communication.
Ripken is the second "special sports envoy." Figure skating
star Michelle Kwan is the other.
The job is an unpaid position for which the government pays only
travel expenses.
