Ripken, a beloved black Labrador Retriever and friend to several Triangle sports teams, has died.
Ripken died unexpectedly on New Year’s Day after “suffering complications from a serious, undiagnosed medical condition which he sadly could not recover from,” according to an Instagram post.
He was eight at the time of his death.
Ripken was usually seen retrieving the kicking tee after kickoffs at NC State football games. He also played the role of “bat dog” at Durham Bulls games, going out to fetch bats after plate appearances for Bulls players.
Ripken’s owners, Michael and Melissa O’Donnell, said they knew Ripken was destined for a life on the field.
“I want to say it was the first day I met him at eight weeks old…He didn’t want to play with anything else but a bat, a football tee or a golf ball,” he said. “It was never a frisbee or the normal dog toys. It was always something sports related.”
Ripken, named after baseball legend Cal Ripken, Jr., was a local celebrity of sorts for fans of animals and sports. He started his career in 2019 when he was three years old, often helping the Holly Springs Salamanders.Â
“It was a hit and people loved it,” Melissa O’Donnell said. “It started getting attention from WRAL and other local media outlets. Then that started spreading across to other local stations in other states and it got picked up nationally.”
Fans often gave heartfelt cheers when Ripken made appearances at games and his journeys were celebrated on national TV shows and social media, where he gained a following. In 2022, Ripken got national exposure on “The Kelly Clarkson Show.” He eventually got his own Topps baseball card.
Ripken was part of a ceremonial puck drop at a Carolina Hurricanes game this season. He was recently at a Carolina Panthers game on Dec. 22 and seen hanging out with running back Chuba Hubbard before kickoff.
Ripken also enjoyed a stint with the Savannah Bananas, who came to Durham in 2023.
Ripken was the spokesdog for Sit Means Sit Dog Training, which the O’Donnells operate in Raleigh. He often wore a flashy gold chain with a capital ‘R’ that got him even more attention.
Several sports organizations from across the Triangle offered their condolences and their support for Ripken and his family.
“Devastated to lose this beloved member of our family,” read a tweet from NC State Athletics. “Thank you, Ripken, for bringing so much joy to Wolfpack Nation. You will be missed.”
The O’Donnells told WRAL News they wanted to thank everyone for their kind words and for loving his dog like it was their own.
“We’re getting messages from everywhere, which is amazing,” Melissa O’Donnell said. “It really shows what Ripken did in his short time here. It’s helped make a very difficult situation a little easier. We lost our family dog, that’s hard enough.”
While Ripken’s legacy will never be replaced, the O’Donnells said it will live on in his brother, Champ, another black lab and next in line to take on Ripken’s assignments.
“He’s a year and a half old,” Melissa said. “He’s already done some Salamanders games. He’s done an NC State rugby game, so we are getting him ready.”
Michael O’Donnell said his family is planning a proper tribute of Ripken in the near future.
