BLOOMINGTON -- Cal Ripken Jr., who played in a record 2,632 consecutive games for the Baltimore Orioles and is active in several charitable causes, will be the keynote speaker at the American Red Cross of the Heartland's Evening of Stars on April 29.

Ripken was announced at the Red Cross Saluting Our Heroes breakfast Thursday at the DoubleTree Hotel & Conference Center by Evening of Stars co-chairmen Tom and Sandy Mercier.

Ripken played for the Orioles from 1981 to 2001 and was selected an All-Star 19 times and an American League Most Valuable Player twice. He collected 3,184 hits and slugged 431 home runs but is best known for breaking Lou Gehrig's record for consecutive games played.

Since his retirement, Ripken has helped found Ripken Baseball Inc., whose goal is to increase the love of baseball; Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation to give underprivileged children the chance to attend baseball camps; and Athletes for Hope, which helps professional athletes to get involved in charitable causes.

Lyn Hruska, Red Cross executive director, said Ripken is a good fit for the Red Cross because he has represented himself and his profession well and has a positive message.

Evening of Stars will 7 p.m. April 29 at the Marriott Hotel and Conference Center in uptown Normal. Tickets are $150 each and are available at www.archeartland.org and at 309-662-0500, Ext. 0. Evening of Stars is the Heartland chapter's largest fundraiser of the year. Past speakers include Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning and Duke University head basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski.