Ripken did have one (and got some fairly nice foundation donations): http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/bal-ripken-farewelltour,0,655645.htmlstory But the deluge of the last 3 years is pretty rare. Like I say, I could have seen one for Thome even though he spent time w/different teams at the end. I think the league would have liked to honor him that way but I also think he's the type who wouldn't have wanted the pomp and circumstance.