Baseball's 'Iron Man' to speak at Show Me Center tonight

As part of the Southeast Missouri State University speaker series, retired Major League Baseball legend Cal Ripken Jr. will appear at 7:30 p.m. tonight at the Show Me Center.

Elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2007, Ripken has more than 3,000 hits and more than 400 home runs in his career. The night's theme is "The Keys to Perseverance."

Known as baseball's "Iron Man" Ripken has used the platform that baseball provided him to help instill growth in the game he loves. He's currently working to help construct a one-of-a-kind baseball complex in his hometown -- Aberdeen, Md. He's also had an effect on youth baseball; in 1999, Babe Ruth League, Inc., changed the name of its largest division from Bambino to Cal Ripken Baseball.

Southeast News Bureau Director Ann Hayes said around noon today that there are still tickets available for the event. Tickets are $10 for the public and can be purchased at www.ticketmaster.com or at the Show Me Center box office.

Pertinent address:

1333 N. Sprigg St., Cape Girardeau, MO