Cal Ripken Jr.
Iron Man shortstop and third baseman who played 21 seasons for the Baltimore Orioles.
Calvin Edwin Ripken Jr. (born August 24, 1960), nicknamed "the Iron Man", is an American former professional baseball shortstop and third baseman who played his entire 21-season career in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Baltimore Orioles (1981–2001). He holds the record for consecutive games played (2,632), having surpassed Lou Gehrig's streak of 2,130. In 2007, he was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility with 98.53% of votes.
Quick Facts
- Team
- Baltimore Orioles (entire 20-season career)
- Primary position
- Shortstop; Second Base
- Career span
- 1981 – 2001
- Consecutive games played
- 2,632 (all-time MLB record)
- All-star selections
- 19
- Hall of fame
- Inducted 2007
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.
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 was elected to the Hall of Fame with 98.53% of votes, the sixth-highest percentage ever to-date.
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