Cal Ripken Jr. facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cal Ripken Jr. |
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Ripken in 2013
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| Shortstop / Third baseman | |||
| Born: August 24, 1960 Havre de Grace, Maryland, U.S. |
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| debut | |||
| August 10, 1981, for the Baltimore Orioles | |||
| Last appearance | |||
| October 6, 2001, for the Baltimore Orioles | |||
| MLB statistics | |||
| Batting average | .276 | ||
| Hits | 3,184 | ||
| Home runs | 431 | ||
| Runs batted in | 1,695 | ||
| Teams | |||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||
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 Baseball Hall of Fame |
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| Induction | 2007 | ||
| Vote | 98.5% (first ballot) | ||
Calvin Edwin Ripken Jr. (born August 24, 1960), often called "the Iron Man", is a famous American baseball player. He played as a shortstop and third baseman for his entire 21-year career with the Baltimore Orioles (1981–2001). Cal Ripken Jr. is known for being one of the best offensive players in his position.
During his career, Ripken had 3,184 hits, 431 home runs, and 1,695 runs batted in. He also won two Gold Glove Awards for his amazing defense. He was chosen for the All-Star team 19 times. He was also named the American League (AL) Most Valuable Player (MVP) twice, in 1983 and 1991. Ripken holds the incredible record for playing the most games in a row (2,632). This broke Lou Gehrig's record of 2,130 games, which many thought could never be beaten. In 2007, he was voted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility. He received 98.53% of the votes, one of the highest percentages ever.
Contents
Growing Up with Baseball
Ripken was born in Havre de Grace, Maryland. His parents were Violet and Cal Sr.. His father, Cal Sr., was a player and coach for the Baltimore Orioles. This meant the Ripken family often moved around the United States. Cal Jr. grew up surrounded by baseball and started playing at a very young age.
He learned a lot from the players on his father's teams. He also got great advice from his dad. By the age of three, Ripken knew he wanted to be a baseball player. When he was 10, he "knew the game inside and out." Cal and his brother Billy both played baseball at Aberdeen High School. Cal also played soccer.
High School Baseball Star
Ripken started his high school baseball career playing second base. His coach, Don Morrison, later moved him to shortstop. As a sophomore, Ripken was a strong fielder and led his team in runs batted in (RBI). In his junior year, he also started pitching. He struck out 55 batters and had three shutouts. He also batted .339.
Ripken was named the Harford County Most Valuable Player. He helped Aberdeen become county champions for the first time since 1959. In his senior year, Ripken had another great season. He batted .688 at one point and had a 0.79 ERA as a pitcher. In the state championship game, Ripken pitched and helped Aberdeen win. He struck out 17 batters and allowed only two hits.
Starting His Professional Journey
The Baltimore Orioles chose Ripken in the second round of the 1978 Major League Baseball draft. He was the 48th player picked overall. Ripken decided to go straight from high school to play professional baseball. He felt it was best to start his career right away.
The Orioles decided to have him play shortstop in the minor leagues. They thought it would be easier for him to switch to pitching later if needed.
Minor League Years
In 1978, Ripken began his minor league career with the Bluefield Orioles. He batted .264. In 1979, he moved up to the Single-A Miami Orioles. His manager moved him to third base, which was a "perfect fit." Ripken batted .303 and hit five home runs. He was named an All-Star.
In 1980, Ripken played for the Charlotte Orioles in Double-A. He hit 25 home runs, breaking the team record. He was named an All-Star and helped Charlotte win the Southern League championship. In 1981, Ripken was sent to the Rochester Red Wings in Triple-A. He played in the longest professional baseball game ever, which lasted 33 innings! Ripken hit 23 home runs and was named the International League Rookie of the Year.
Playing in the Major Leagues
Early Years (1981–1986)
The Orioles called Ripken up to the major leagues on August 7, 1981. He made his debut on August 10 as a pinch runner. His first major league hit came six days later.
In 1982, Ripken became the Orioles' starting third baseman. He hit a home run in his very first at-bat of the season. On July 1, his manager, Earl Weaver, moved Ripken to shortstop permanently. Weaver believed it was harder to find a shortstop who could hit well. Ripken hit 28 home runs that year and won the American League (AL) Rookie of the Year Award.
In 1983, Ripken had one of his best years. He was chosen for his first of 19 All-Star teams. He set Orioles' records for RBIs by a shortstop (102) and hits by any player (211). He led the major leagues in hits and doubles. He also led the AL in runs scored. After the season, he was named the AL Most Valuable Player (MVP). He batted .318 with 27 home runs. Ripken was the first player in MLB history to win Rookie of the Year and MVP awards in a row.
Ripken played in the playoffs for the first time in 1983. The Orioles won the 1983 World Series against the Philadelphia Phillies. Ripken played great defense at shortstop, making the final out of the series. Before the 1984 season, Ripken signed a big contract with the Orioles. He continued to play well, batting .304 with 27 home runs.
His consecutive games streak almost ended in 1985. He sprained his ankle but was able to play the next game after an off day. In 1986, Ripken had a 17-game hitting streak. He led the team in home runs with 25.
The Iron Man Streak Continues (1987–1990)
In 1987, Cal Ripken Sr. became the Orioles' manager. He became the first manager to have two sons, Cal Jr. and Billy, play in the same game. Later that year, Cal Sr. took Ripken Jr. out of a game. This ended Ripken's streak of 8,243 consecutive innings played. Ripken finished the year batting .252 but still hit 27 home runs.
In 1988, Ripken Sr. was fired, and Frank Robinson became manager. The Orioles started the year with 21 losses in a row. Ripken batted .264 but led all shortstops with 23 home runs. In 1989, Ripken and his brother Billy combined for seven hits in one game, an AL record for brothers. On August 2, 1989, he passed Steve Garvey to move to third place on baseball's all-time list for consecutive games played. The Orioles had a good season, almost making the playoffs. Ripken was especially impressive with his fielding, going 47 games without an error.
In 1990, Ripken continued to impress with his fielding. He went 95 straight games without an error, breaking a Major League record for shortstops. On June 12, he passed Everett Scott to move into second place all-time for consecutive games played. Ripken finished the year batting .250 with 21 home runs. He made only three errors all season, a new record.
Breaking the Record (1991–1995)
Ripken had an amazing year in 1991. He batted .323 with a career-high 34 home runs and 114 RBIs. He became the first Major League shortstop to have 30 home runs and 200 hits in a season.
He won his second AL MVP award and his first Gold Glove Award. He also won the All-Star Game MVP Award and the Home Run Derby. He was the first player to win both the Home Run Derby and All-Star Game MVP in the same year.
In 1992, Ripken signed a five-year contract, the largest in baseball history at the time. He won his second Gold Glove Award. In 1993, Ripken collected his 2,000th career hit. Fans voted him into the All-Star Game, even though he was struggling early in the season.
Before the 1994 season, it was announced that Ripken had broken Ernie Banks' record for most career home runs by a shortstop. On August 1, he played in his 2,000th consecutive game. The rest of the season was canceled due to a strike.
On September 6, 1995, Ripken broke Lou Gehrig's 56-year-old record for consecutive games played (2,130 games). This game, between the Orioles and the California Angels, was watched by many fans. Even President Bill Clinton and Vice President Al Gore were there. When the game became official after the fifth inning, the numbers on the warehouse wall outside the stadium changed from 2130 to 2131.
Ripken received a standing ovation that lasted over 22 minutes. He walked around the entire field to thank the fans. After the game, there was a special ceremony with speeches from famous people, including Joe DiMaggio, who played with Gehrig. Ripken thanked the fans and said he was "truly humbled" to be linked with Lou Gehrig.
Later Career and Retirement (1996–2001)
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On June 14, 1996, Ripken broke the world record for consecutive games played by playing in his 2,216th game. This record was previously held by Sachio Kinugasa of Japan. Ripken played in 163 games that season. He returned to the playoffs for the first time in 13 years.
In 1997, the Orioles signed a new shortstop, and Ripken moved back to third base permanently. He continued his streak and batted .270. The Orioles made the playoffs again, winning their division.
Ripken batted .271 in 1998. On September 20, he decided to end his streak at 2,632 games. This was 502 games more than Gehrig's record. He wanted to end the streak on his own terms. Rookie third baseman Ryan Minor started in his place. Fans and players gave Ripken a big ovation when they realized the streak was ending.
In 1999, Ripken had his highest batting average at .340. He hit 18 home runs. On June 13, he had his best individual game, getting 6 hits and 2 home runs. On September 2, he hit his 400th career home run.
Ripken reached another big milestone in 2000. On April 15, he got his 3,000th career hit. Only a few players in baseball history have reached this mark.
In June 2001, Ripken announced he would retire at the end of the season. He was voted the starting third baseman in the All-Star Game. As a special tribute, shortstop Alex Rodriguez swapped positions with Ripken for the first inning. This allowed Ripken to play shortstop one last time in an All-Star Game. In the third inning, Ripken hit a home run on the first pitch! He won the All-Star MVP award again, becoming one of only four players to win it twice.
Ripken's final game was on October 6, 2001, at Oriole Park. He ended his career in the on-deck circle, waiting to bat. After the game, Ripken gave a speech thanking the fans for their support over 20 seasons.
Cal Ripken's Legacy
At 6 feet 4 inches tall and 225 pounds, Ripken was different from most shortstops of his time. Shortstops were usually smaller and faster players. Ripken showed that taller players could also be great shortstops. Many power-hitting shortstops who came after him, like Alex Rodriguez, are seen as part of his legacy.
Ripken was an excellent defensive shortstop. He led the league in assists many times and won two Gold Gloves. In 1990, he set an MLB record for the best fielding percentage by a shortstop in a season. He was known for his strong fundamentals and for studying batters to position himself well.
Ripken's power led to records like most home runs by a shortstop (345). He is also 13th all-time in career doubles. In 1999, he passed Hank Aaron for the most double plays grounded into in a career.
Ripken was also known for changing his batting stance often. He would adjust it if he was in a slump or if it "didn't feel good." He said a batting stance was "only a starting point."
A poll of fans by MLB.com ranked Ripken's 2,131st straight game as the "Most Memorable Moment" in MLB history. Ripken has said he never felt comfortable being compared to Lou Gehrig. He felt Gehrig's overall stats were much bigger. But he understood they shared the bond of playing in many consecutive games.
On January 9, 2007, Ripken was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame. He received 98.53% of the votes, one of the highest percentages ever. Tony Gwynn was also chosen alongside Ripken. Their induction ceremony on July 29, 2007, was attended by a record 75,000 people.
Ripken has received many honors outside of baseball. In 2001, a NASCAR race was renamed the "MBNA Cal Ripken Jr. 400" in his honor. In 2008, a part of I-395 in Baltimore was named Cal Ripken Way.
Because of his success, Ripken appeared in many advertisements for companies like Nike and Chevrolet. These ads often highlighted his "dependability, durability, and wholesomeness." Ripken became a symbol of hard work and loyalty.
Charity Work and Business Ventures
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| Cal Ripken Jr.'s number 8 was retired by the Baltimore Orioles in 2001. |
Throughout his career, Ripken has given his time and money to many charities. In 1988, he and his wife Kelly started the Cal Ripken Jr., Lifelong Learning Center. This center helps adults learn to read. In 1992, MLB gave him the Roberto Clemente Award for his community work.
Ripken has supported research for Lou Gehrig's disease. After he broke Gehrig's record, the Orioles and others created the Cal Ripken/Lou Gehrig Fund for Neuromuscular Research. With his brother Billy, he formed the Cal Ripken Sr., Foundation in 2001. This foundation helps kids from all backgrounds attend baseball camps and learn the game.
Ripken has also served as a commissioner for the White House Tee Ball Initiative. He helped promote teamwork and taught tee ball to children at the White House. In 2007, Ripken helped found Athletes for Hope, a charity that helps professional athletes get involved in good causes.
In 2007, Ripken was named a Special Sports Envoy for the US State Department. He traveled to China to share the game of baseball with young people and coaches.
Ripken owns several minor league baseball teams. In 2002, he bought the Utica Blue Sox and moved them to his hometown of Aberdeen, renaming them the Aberdeen IronBirds. This team plays at Ripken Stadium. He also bought the Augusta GreenJackets and the Charlotte Stone Crabs.
In 2007, Ripken started working as a studio analyst for TBS Sports during the MLB playoffs. In 2024, Ripken joined a group that bought the Baltimore Orioles. He agreed to serve as an advisor with the team.
Personal Life
Ripken was married to Kelly Geer, and they have a daughter, Rachel, and a son, Ryan.
His son Ryan also played baseball professionally. He was drafted by the Orioles in 2012 but chose to go to college. He was later drafted by the Washington Nationals and then signed with the Orioles again. Ryan played for the Aberdeen Ironbirds, which his father owned. He retired from professional baseball in 2022.
Ripken has written or helped write many books. After the 1996 season, he released his autobiography, The Only Way I Know, which was a New York Times Best Seller. He has also written books about coaching youth baseball and a children's fiction book called Hothead. He writes a weekly advice column for young athletes in the Baltimore Sun.
Awards and Records
Awards
| Award / Honor | Time(s) | Date(s) |
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| American League All-Star | 19 | 1983–2001 |
| American League Silver Slugger Award (SS) | 8 | 1983–86, 1989, 1991, 1993, 1994 |
| American League Most Valuable Player | 2 | 1983, 1991 |
| MLB All-Star Game Most Valuable Player | 2 | 1991, 2001 |
| American League Gold Glove Award (SS) | 2 | 1991, 1992 |
| The Sporting News' MLB Player of the Year | 2 | 1983, 1991 |
| American League Rookie of the Year | 1 | 1982 |
| Roberto Clemente Award | 1 | 1992 |
| Lou Gehrig Memorial Award | 1 | 1992 |
| Sports Illustrated magazine's "Sportsman of the Year" | 1 | 1995 |
| Associated Press "Athlete of the Year" | 1 | 1995 |
| The Sporting News' "Sportsman of the Year" | 1 | 1995 |
| Commissioner's Historic Achievement Award | 1 | 2001 |
| Stan Musial Lifetime Achievement Award For Sportsmanship | 1 | 2016 |
Records and Honors
- 1995: Broke Lou Gehrig's consecutive games streak
- 1999: Ranked #78 on The Sporting News' list of the "100 Greatest Baseball Players"
- 1999: Elected to the Major League Baseball All-Century Team.
- 2001: Uniform #8 retired by the Baltimore Orioles
- 2007: Elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame by 98.53% of voters, one of the highest percentages ever.
- 2007: Inducted to the Baseball Hall of Fame on July 29 with Tony Gwynn in front of a record crowd of 75,000 people.
- Most consecutive games played: 2,632
- Most consecutive innings played: 8,243
- Most home runs by a shortstop: 345
- Most double plays by a shortstop in the American League: 1,682
- All-time leader in MLB All-Star fan balloting (36,123,483 votes)
- Most American League MLB All-Star team selections: 19 (1983–2001)
- Most MLB All-Star Game appearances at shortstop: 15 (1983–1996, 2001)
- Most consecutive MLB All-Star Game starts: 17
- Most plate appearances by one player in one game: 15 (Triple-A game, tied with Tom Eaton and Dallas Williams).
Baltimore Oriole Records
- Games played: 3,001
- Consecutive games: 2,632
- At bats: 11,551
- Hits: 3,184
- Runs: 1,647
- RBIs: 1,695
- Extra base hits: 1,078
- Doubles: 603
- Home runs: 431 (no other Oriole has hit more with the team)
- Total bases: 5,168
- Walks: 1,129
- Assists: 8,212
- Double plays: 1,682
Images for kids
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Ripken honored at the University of Texas at Arlington
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Ryan Ripken batting for the Auburn Doubledays in 2016
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See also
In Spanish: Cal Ripken, Jr. para niños
- Cal Ripken Jr. Baseball, a 1992 video game
- DHL Hometown Heroes
- List of Major League Baseball players who spent their entire career with one franchise
- List of second-generation Major League Baseball players
