Police: Cal Ripken's mom abducted, now safe

BALTIMORE -- The 74-year-old mother of Hall of Fame infielder Cal Ripken was safe Wednesday, a day after an armed man abducted her from her home northeast of Baltimore, police said.

Vi Ripken was kidnapped between 7 a.m. and 8 a.m. Tuesday by a man who forced her into her car, according to Aberdeen police. She was found about 6:15 a.m. Wednesday unharmed in her car near her home in Aberdeen, some 25 miles from Baltimore.

Ripken earned the nickname "Iron Man" for playing in 2,632 consecutive games during his 21-year career with the Baltimore Orioles and is a hero to many baseball fans. His brother, Bill, also played second base in the major leagues. The two were managed for a time on the Orioles by their father, Cal Ripken Sr., who died in 1999.

Vi Ripken described her abductor as a tall, thin white man with glasses, but police spokesman Lt. Fred Budnick had no other details.

The FBI and Maryland State Police were also involved in the investigation.

FBI spokesman Rich Wolf said authorities don't know whether the abductor knew the Ripken family or what, if any, demands might have been made.

"Maybe they can come up with a motivation based on the actions of the guy," Wolf said.

"This has been a very trying time for our family, but we are grateful and relieved that mom is back with us, safe and healthy," the Ripken family said in a statement. "We want to thank everyone for their tremendous support, especially all of the law enforcement agencies that worked so hard and quickly."

The family said that it could not comment further due to the ongoing investigation.

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