Cal Ripken Jr.

Lore & Background

Ripken was born in Havre de Grace, Maryland, the son of Violet Roberta "Vi" Ripken and Cal Ripken Sr. He grew up traveling around the United States as his father was a player and coach in the Orioles' organization. After playing at Aberdeen High School, he was drafted by the Orioles in the second round of the 1978 MLB draft. He reached the major leagues in 1981 as a shortstop but moved to third base in 1982, then shifted back to shortstop in 1983. He won the AL Rookie of the Year Award in 1982 and began his consecutive games played streak that year. In 1983, he won a World Series championship and his first AL MVP Award. In 1991, he was named an All-Star, won the Home Run Derby, and received his first All-Star Game MVP Award, his second AL MVP Award, and first Gold Glove Award. He broke the consecutive games played record on September 6, 1995, and voluntarily ended his streak at 2,632 games before the final home game of the 1998 season. He switched back to third base for the final five years of his career. In 2001, his final season, he was named the All-Star Game MVP and received the Commissioner's Historic Achievement Award.

In Their Own Story

The Metrodome lights hummed their low amber buzz over a September night in 1989. The Twins were up by one in the bottom of the ninth, and the Orioles' shortstop was standing in the hole, glove low, eyes tracking the pitcher's windup like a metronome. He'd been standing in that hole every day for seven years. The Twins' leadoff hitter ripped a ground ball to short. Ripken fielded it one step in front of the bag, pivoted, and fired to first before the runner even committed. The throw was 130 feet of leather and wrist snap. The first baseman caught it, tagged the runner out, and the Twins' leadoff hitter walked back to the dugout shaking his head. In the stands, a Twins fan in a blue cap muttered, 'That's the man.' The game was still to be played, but for one breath, the whole diamond belonged to the shortstop who never missed.

Reader's Guide

Ripken is considered one of the best shortstops in baseball history. He holds the record for most home runs hit as a shortstop, at 345, breaking the record of 298 previously held by Ernie Banks. He was selected as the starting shortstop for the Major League Baseball All-Century Team. He is a best-selling author and the president and CEO of Ripken Baseball, Inc. Since his retirement, he has purchased three minor league baseball teams and a minority stake with the Orioles. He lives in Annapolis, Maryland, and is married to Laura Ripken, née Kiessling, a judge on the Appellate Court of Maryland.

Did You Know?

• Ripken was a 19-time All-Star and twice named AL MVP (1983 and 1991).
• He compiled 3,184 hits, 431 home runs, and 1,695 RBIs in his career.
• He won two Gold Glove Awards for his defense.
• His consecutive games played streak of 2,632 games is an MLB record.
• He was elected to the Hall of Fame with 98.53% of votes, the sixth-highest percentage ever to-date.