Is Hall of Famer and longtime Oriole Cal Ripken Jr. being blocked from returning to the organization? There’s been conflicting stories about what’s going on at Orioles’ headquarters.

Last week, Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com said that Orioles’ owner Peter Angelos declined to hire the living legend in a baseball capacity because he did not want Ripken to get any credit in the event the team returns to their winning ways. I say they cross that bridge when they get there. Angelos is reluctant to create a position where Orioles’ president, Andy McPhail, is not in charge.

Rosenthal’s report seems to be denied by the Oriole’s owner. “Cal could make a contribution to any ballclub. I just don’t see Cal Ripken as being an assistant to anyone in a baseball context,” Angelos told The Baltimore Sun on Saturday. “If he expressed the wish to do that in some secondary position with the Orioles, which I think he’d never do, obviously that would be something that will be considered seriously. But Cal has many interests and is a very busy guy. I don’t think he’s ever considered himself available to play some secondary role with the ballclub and appropriately so.” Angelos adds that Rosenthal’s report are “inaccurate and grossly incorrect.”

Sounds like a guy that is trying to dance around truth.

Ripken and Angelos have successfully worked together in a business capacity since Ripken’s retirement from baseball in 2001. Ripken owns the Orioles’ Short-A affiliate Aberdeen IronBirds and has partnered with Angelos in several projects and charity events.

In my opinion, I think Angelos could use all the help he can get. Get Ripken on board and worry about the PR when he crosses that bridge. The team is currently in last place with a 2-12 record.