Cal Ripken Sr. League Welcomes 2025 Hall of Fame Class

Alex Thompson (left) and Bruce Adams (right) by Mark Thalman

ROCKVILLE, Md. - After the initial Hall of Fame induction ceremony was postponed, the Cal Ripken Sr. League welcomed its newest inductees into its Hall of Fame at Shirley Povich Field on Sunday. The class included four new members; former Bethesda Big Train Pitcher Hunter Brown, the late Alexandria Aces' Co-founder Donald Dinan, former League Executive Director Alex Thompson and Gaithersburg Giants infielder Jordan Westburg. 

"I can safely say that I never set out to be inducted into the hall of fame because there wasn't a hall of fame when we started," Thompson said. "It's a recognition of a lot of hard work. The fact that we have a hall of fame means that the league has been successful."

Before he helped found the Cal Ripken Sr. League, Thompson was a key member with the Bethesda Big Train. He started as a volunteer and worked his way up into becoming the team's general manager. When Thompson first wanted to work in baseball, he sent a hand-written letter to Big Train Founder Bruce Adams. 

"I wanted to have a career in baseball," Thompson said. "I was looking for something to do in the summer that would allow me to chase that dream."

Thompson never met Adams before he sent his letter. The two have formed a strong bond over the last quarter century. Thompson was an instrumental part in creating the league fans know and love today. 

"We knew that if things were going to succeed,  it was going to be up to the teams," Thompson said. 

Alex Thompson by Mark Thalman

Thompson helped recruit and hire Jason Woodward as the league's commissioner over a decade ago. Thompson explained that hiring Woodward is the biggest accomplishment in his career. 

"The leadership that [he] brought to the league essentially ensured that there would be stability for the league for the next decade-plus," Thompson said. 

When Woodward was approached about the role, he jumped at the opportunity. He hopes to continue to grow the Ripken brand in both the DMV and across the country. 

"It was an opportunity to give back to baseball," Woodward said. "Our goal every year is to be the top destination for summer collegiate baseball."

Woodward explained that he and Thompson talk at least once a week just to bounce ideas off of each other. Brown was unable to make the ceremony, as he was on the mound in Houston to pitch in a key matchup against the division-rival Seattle Mariners. Big Train Manager Sal Colangelo spoke on Brown's behalf. 

"Out of the blue, he calls me 'hey coach, I want to come play for you. If I can't play for you, you can cut me,'" Colangelo recalled of his conversation with Brown. 

Sal Colangelo by Mark Thalman

Colangelo explained that their job as coaches is to work with these athletes and help them develop into becoming big leaguers. In just one summer, Brown added five to six miles per hour on his fastball according to the manager. Although Colangelo and the coaching staff worked with him, the coach can't take the credit. 

"[Brown] is the one that did it," Colangelo said. "Tireless hours of working on his mechanics in the bullpen. Hunter used to always say 'coach, believe,' and that's very powerful. When you believe, you can achieve and you can do anything."

Woodward is constantly thinking of ways to set themselves apart. He knows the work is never finished and is always looking at ways to grow the league. 

"[Our players] are our best recruiters," Woodward said. "I want to make [the league] better than I found it."

Jason Woodward by Mark Thalman

Thompson admitted that the new era in baseball has brought more challenges. He explained there is a balance of keeping what's working while also evolving throughout the process.  

"How do we harness [everything], stay creative, stay thoughtful and continue to put the success of our players above all else," Thompson said. "Our league will succeed if our players succeed."