Even Jason Kipnis couldn't resist getting his idol's autograph before Game 1 of the ALDS

While ballplayers might seem like they're baseball-playing superheroes, put them in front of their childhood idol and all of that changes. Case in point: Jason Kipnis.  
Before the Indians beat the Red Sox, 5-4, in Game 1 of the ALDS, Kipnis, who had three hits including a homer, took a break from angrily staring at a photo of David Price (I assume that's how players get psyched up) to meet his idol. Naturally, it meant he was going to get an autograph, too. 

Even starting second basemen on playoff teams have to stop to get Cal Ripken Jr.'s autograph. pic.twitter.com/qJMZcAQ17x

— Anthony Castrovince (@castrovince) October 6, 2016

Turns out, it wasn't just the autograph that Kipnis had been wanting. While coming up through the Minors, the second baseman had made a bet with teammate Lonnie Chisenhall: Whoever gets to the Majors first gets to wear Ripken's No. 8.

Kipnis wanted to wear No. 8 in MLB, but lost bet to Chisenhall. Chiz reached The Show first, got to choose Ripken's number. https://t.co/iNVKceaHKy

— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) October 6, 2016

While Kipnis made his debut on July 22, 2011, Chisenhall just edged him by under a month -- debuting on June 27 that year. Chisenhall was first given No. 27, with shortstop Adam Everett wearing No. 8. Come next year, when Everett was released, the Indians' third baseman-turned-right-fielder got the coveted No. 8, while Kipnis stayed with No. 22. 
Find out what these two clubs have in store for an encore in Game 2, airing on TBS at 4:30 p.m. ET on Friday afternoon.