Witnessing the induction of former Baltimore Oriole Cal Ripken Jr. into the Baseball Hall of Fame July 29 was a heady experience for St. Ignatius, Hickory, parishioner Ernie Tyler. While attending the Cooperstown, N.Y., festivities caused the 83-year-old to end a baseball era of his own – Mr. Tyler missed his first home game as an umpire’s attendant for the Baltimore Orioles since 1960– he said he could think of no better reason to end his 3,769-game streak. “It’s actually a good feeling that my streak is over,” said the father of 11, whose number of in-season home games was posted at Oriole Park July 27, the game before he left for Cooperstown. “It takes the pressure off.”


