Justin Bour Honored with Ripken Sr. League Hall of Fame Presentation at All-Star Game

By Evan Joseph

Six years after his official induction, former Major League Baseball first baseman Justin Bour finally held the hardware.

The George Mason University alumnus was presented with his Cal Ripken Sr. Collegiate Baseball League Hall of Fame plaque on Tuesday night during the league’s All-Star Game at Shirley Povich Field.

Inducted as part of the 2020 class, Bour's presentation was delayed until the summer exhibition showcase against the Valley League All-Stars.

"It's an honor," Bour said. "I think back to a lot of things that sort of shaped where I am today, and the career I was able to have, and I can definitely pinpoint this being one of those places."

Before making it to the big leagues, former MLB first baseman Justin Bour put up impressive numbers in the Cal Ripken League playing for Youse’s Maryland Orioles during the 2006 and 2007 seasons. 

In 2006, Bour showcased his pure hitting ability by batting a stellar .331. The following year, he anchored the lineup for the 2007 Ripken League regular season champions, leading the squad with six home runs and 38 RBIs. 

His contributions helped Youse's Orioles to back-to-back All American Amateur Baseball Association (AAABA) national championships in both of his seasons with the team.

He hit 46 career home runs for the Patriots, finishing his collegiate tenure tied for second in program history before being drafted by the Chicago Cubs in 2009. He went on to launch 92 home runs during his six-year big league career, headlined by a 25-homer season with the Miami Marlins in 2017. 

Long before the professional accolades, the Virginia native utilized the local collegiate summer loop to help build the foundation for his professional journey.

Continuing to separate himself from the many others who aspire to play in the majors required a certain mindset.

"I always had confidence," Bour said. "To be a good baseball player, you have that mental edge of believing in yourself.

While that self-belief was crucial, Bour admits he was not looking into the distant future or reflecting on his major league prospects during his time in the CRSCBL. 

“That's so far away, though,” Bour said. “At that point, when I was playing in this league, I never really thought about it. I was more of a game to game type player."

That singular focus served him well, carrying him through the minor league grind to eventually anchor big league lineups for the Marlins, Los Angeles Angels, and Philadelphia Phillies.

Standing on the field where the league's current top prospects were showcasing their skills, Bour's presence served as a tangible reminder to the young athletes in the dugouts of where a summer in the Ripken League can lead.