Cal Ripken’s mother is safe after being abducted at gunpoint

Cal Ripken’s 74-year-old mother is back safe with her family Wednesday, a day after being abducted from her home by an armed man, according to Aberdeen, Md., police.

Vi Ripken was found unharmed in her car at 6:15 a.m. Wednesday in Aberdeen, some 25 miles from Baltimore, after being kidnapped by a man who forced her into her car between 7 and 8 a.m. Tuesday, police say.

“This has been a very trying time for our family, but we are grateful and relieved that mom is back with us, safe and healthy,” the Ripken family said in a statement. “We want to thank everyone for their tremendous support, especially all of the law enforcement agencies that worked so hard and quickly.”

The FBI and Maryland State Police are also investigating the incident.

Vi Ripken told police her abductor was a tall, thin white man who wore glasses. Authorities don’t know if he knew the Ripken family or made any demands, FBI spokesman Rich Wolf said.

Ripken is a Hall of Fame shortstop who became known as “Iron Man” for playing a record 2,632 consecutive games during his 21-year career with the Baltimore Orioles. His brother, Bill, is also a former major league player and their late father, Cal Sr., was a major league manager.

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The Associated Press contributed to this report.