BALTIMORE -- On the eve of the 30th anniversary of Cal Ripken Jr. ’s record-breaking 2,131st consecutive game, baseball’s “Iron Man” was preparing for an emotional Saturday night. The 65-year-old Orioles legend knew the memories would flood back as he returned to the field at Camden Yards, the site of one of the biggest moments in sports history on Sept. 6, 1995.

“You try to prepare yourself, because sometimes, you get caught off-guard with the emotion,” Ripken said Friday afternoon. “I remember the first time around thinking about my mom [Violet], who was helpful. That kind of works you up a little bit. And 30 years later, you’d think that you’d get used to it, but it kind of brings up those memories, freshens them up a little bit.”

Ripken kept his emotions in check Saturday, when he

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