No, that crowd was there—and many, many more were watching on TV—because of Cal Ripken, the man. Who then proceeded to demonstrate why he is such a respected, even beloved, figure. Even more remarkable, though, in this age of cheap and vulgar celebrity, is Cal Ripken. And the most remarkable thing about him, an acquaintance of his once told me, is that “he doesn’t realize just how good a man he is.”The real heroes don’t. George Weigel’s column “The Catholic Difference” is syndicated by the Denver Catholic, the official publication of the Archdiocese of Denver.