View source for Cal Ripken Jr.

{{Short description|American baseball player (born 1960)}}
{{redirect|Cal Ripken|his father|Cal Ripken Sr.}}
{{good article}}
{{Use American English|date=December 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2025}}
{{Infobox baseball biography
|name=Cal Ripken Jr.
|image=Lieutenant Governor Boyd Rutherford with Cal Ripken Jr (cropped).jpg
|caption=Ripken in 2019
|alt=Ripken posing with a figurine
|position=[[Shortstop]] / [[Third baseman]]
|bats=Right
|throws=Right
|birth_date={{Birth date and age|1960|8|24}}
|birth_place=[[Havre de Grace, Maryland]], U.S.
|death_date=
|debutleague = MLB
|debutdate=August 10
|debutyear=1981
|debutteam=Baltimore Orioles
|finalleague = MLB
|finaldate=October 6
|finalyear=2001
|finalteam=Baltimore Orioles
|statleague = MLB
|stat1label=[[Batting average (baseball)|Batting average]]
|stat1value=.276
|stat2label=[[Hit (baseball)|Hits]]
|stat2value=3,184
|stat3label=[[Home run]]s
|stat3value=431
|stat4label=[[Run batted in|Runs batted in]]
|stat4value=1,695
|teams=
* [[Baltimore Orioles]] ({{mlby|1981}}–{{mlby|2001}})
|highlights=
* 19× [[Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star]] ([[1983 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|1983]]–[[2001 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|2001]])
* [[World Series champion]] ({{wsy|1983}})
* 2× [[Major League Baseball Most Valuable Player Award|AL MVP]] (1983, 1991)
* [[AL Rookie of the Year]] (1982)
* 2× [[Gold Glove Award]] (1991, 1992)
* 8× [[Silver Slugger Award]] (1983–1986, 1989, 1991, 1993, 1994)
* [[Roberto Clemente Award]] (1992)
* MLB record [[Major League Baseball consecutive games played streaks|2,632 consecutive games played]]
* [[Commissioner's Historic Achievement Award]]
* [[Baltimore Orioles#Retired numbers|Baltimore Orioles No. 8]] retired
* [[Baltimore Orioles Hall of Fame]]
* [[Major League Baseball All-Century Team]]
|hoflink = National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum
|hoftype = National
|hofdate=[[2007 Baseball Hall of Fame balloting|2007]]
|hofvote=98.5% (first ballot)
}}
'''Calvin Edwin Ripken Jr.''' (born August 24, 1960), nicknamed "'''the Iron Man'''",<ref name="Rosenfeld 3"/> is an American former [[baseball]] [[shortstop]] and [[third baseman]] who played [[List of Major League Baseball players who spent their entire career with one franchise|his entire 21-season career]] in [[Major League Baseball]] (MLB) for the [[Baltimore Orioles]] (1981–2001). One of his position's most productive offensive players, Ripken compiled 3,184 [[Hit (baseball)|hits]], 431 [[home runs]], 1,695 [[runs batted in]], and won two [[Gold Glove Award]]s for his defense during his career. He was a 19-time [[Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star]] and was twice named [[American League]] (AL) [[Major League Baseball Most Valuable Player Award|Most Valuable Player (MVP)]], in 1983 and 1991. 

Ripken holds the [[Major League Baseball consecutive games played streaks|record for consecutive games played]] (2,632), having surpassed [[Lou Gehrig]]'s streak of 2,130 which had stood for 56 years and which many deemed was [[List of Major League Baseball records considered unbreakable|unbreakable]]. In [[2007 Baseball Hall of Fame balloting|2007]], he was elected to the [[National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum|Baseball Hall of Fame]] in his first year of eligibility with 98.53% of votes, the sixth-highest election percentage ever to-date.

Born in [[Maryland]], Ripken grew up traveling around the United States as his father, [[Cal Ripken Sr.|Cal Sr.]], was a player and coach in the Orioles' organization. After playing at [[Aberdeen High School (Maryland)|Aberdeen High School]], Ripken Jr. was drafted by the Orioles in the second round of the [[1978 Major League Baseball draft|1978 MLB draft]]. He reached the major leagues in 1981 as a shortstop but moved to third base in 1982,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/BAL/BAL198108121.shtml|title=Kansas City Royals at Baltimore Orioles Box Score, August 12, 1981|website=Baseball-Reference.com}}</ref> but the following year, he was shifted back to shortstop, his long-time position for Baltimore. That year, Ripken also won the AL [[Major League Baseball Rookie of the Year Award|Rookie of the Year Award]] and began his consecutive games played streak. 

In 1983, he won a [[1983 World Series|World Series]] championship over the [[Philadelphia Phillies]] and his first AL MVP Award. One of Ripken's best years came in 1991 when he was named an All-Star, won the [[Home Run Derby (Major League Baseball)|Home Run Derby]], and was the recipient of his first [[Major League Baseball All-Star Game Most Valuable Player Award|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, in his 2,131st consecutive game, which fans voted as the league's "most memorable moment" in the history of the game in an MLB.com poll; Ripken voluntarily ended his 17-year 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, Ripken was named the All-Star Game MVP and was honored with the [[Commissioner's Historic Achievement Award]].

Ripken is considered one of the best shortstops in baseball history. At {{convert|6|ft|4|in|abbr=on}}, {{convert|225|lb|abbr=on}}, he pioneered the way for the success of taller, larger shortstops. He holds the record for most home runs hit as a shortstop, at 345, breaking the record of 298 previously held by [[Ernie Banks]], and was selected as the starting shortstop for the [[Major League Baseball All-Century Team]]. 

Ripken is a best-selling author and the President and CEO of Ripken Baseball, Inc., whose goal is to expand the love of baseball from a grassroots level. Since his retirement, he has purchased three [[minor league baseball]] teams, and a minority stake with the Orioles. He has been active in charity work throughout his career and is still considered an ambassador of the game. He lives in [[Annapolis]], Maryland, and is married to Laura Ripken, née Kiessling, a judge on the [[Appellate Court of Maryland]].<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/cal-ripken-is-moving-on-literally-and-figuratively/2018/04/11/759c5f7c-3ce1-11e8-a7d1-e4efec6389f0_story.html |title=Cal Ripken is moving on, literally and figuratively |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |date=April 12, 2018 |first=Roxanne |last=Roberts}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Laura S. Ripken, Maryland Court of Special Appeals Judge |url=https://msa.maryland.gov/msa/mdmanual/30sp/html/msa15256.html |website=Maryland Manual On-Line |publisher=Maryland State Archives |access-date=January 12, 2021 |date=January 11, 2021}}</ref>

==Early life==
Calvin Edwin Ripken Jr. was born on August 24, 1960, in [[Havre de Grace, Maryland]], the son of Violet Roberta "Vi" Ripken (née Gross) and Cal Ripken Sr. He has [[Germans|German]], [[English people|English]], and [[Irish people|Irish]] ancestry.<ref>{{cite news |first=Mike |last=Klingaman |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-1995-09-04-1995247061-story.html |title=Ripken's roots run deep in Maryland, with hundreds of relatives |newspaper=The Baltimore Sun |date=September 4, 1995 |access-date=May 6, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Childs |last=Walker |work=The Baltimore Sun |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-2012-07-25-bs-md-vi-ripken-profile-20120725-story.html |title=Vi Ripken is down-to-earth center of Maryland's most famous baseball family |date=July 25, 2012 |access-date=May 6, 2016}}</ref> Though the Ripkens called [[Aberdeen, Maryland]], their home, they were often on the move because of Cal Sr.'s coaching duties with the [[Baltimore Orioles]] organization.<ref>Rosenfeld, p. 2</ref> Cal Sr., in fact, was in [[Topeka, Kansas]], with one of his teams when his son was born.<ref>Joseph and Gronvall, p. 6</ref> 

Cal Jr. grew up around baseball and got started in it at a very young age.<ref name="Rosenfeld 3">Rosenfeld, p.3</ref> He was able to receive instruction from players on his father's teams, most notably from [[Doug DeCinces]].<ref>Rosenfeld, p. 9</ref> He also got advice from his father, who once remarked to his mother that his questions were better than the ones reporters had.<ref name="page 7">Joseph and Gronvall, p. 7</ref> At the age of three, Ripken knew he wanted to be a ballplayer, and at the age of 10, Ripken "knew the game inside and out".<ref name="page 7" /><ref>Strazzabosco, p. 5</ref> Ripken and his brother [[Billy Ripken|Billy]] attended [[Aberdeen High School (Maryland)|Aberdeen High School]].<ref>Rosenfeld, pp. 10, 60</ref> They both played baseball there; Cal also played [[soccer]].<ref name="Rosenfeld 12">Rosenfeld, p. 12</ref> He has two other siblings, Ellen and Fred.<ref>Rosenfeld, p. 6</ref>

Ripken began his high school career playing [[second baseman|second base]]; his coach, Don Morrison, said, "I was considering moving him to [[shortstop|short]], but I was unsure if his arm was strong enough."<ref>Rosenfeld, p. 10</ref> Despite Morrison's concerns, Ripken did move to shortstop as a sophomore, combining strong fielding with a team-leading 10 [[runs batted in]] (RBI).<ref name="Rosenfeld 12" /> 

Needing pitching help, the Aberdeen Eagles began using Ripken as a [[pitcher]] as well in his junior year. He responded by [[strikeout|striking out]] 55 batters in {{frac|46|1|3}} [[innings pitched]] with three [[Shutouts in baseball|shutouts]] while [[Batting average (baseball)|batting]] .339 with 21 [[Hit (baseball)|hits]] and nine RBIs.<ref>Rosenfeld, pp.&nbsp;13–14</ref> He was named the [[Harford County, Maryland|Harford County]] Most Valuable Player (MVP) while helping Aberdeen become county champions for the first time since 1959.<ref>Rosenfeld, p. 13</ref> During his senior year, Ripken again had a strong season, lifting his batting average to .688 at one point and posting a 0.79 ERA with 45 strikeouts over his first 26 innings.<ref>Rosenfeld, p. 18</ref> In the playoffs, Ripken pitched the state championship game against [[Thomas Stone High School]].<ref name="page 19-20">Rosenfeld, pp.&nbsp;19–20</ref>

The Eagles trailed 3–1 when Ripken, noting that rain was coming and that the game would be canceled and replayed because the Eagles had not yet played the fourth inning, made nine throws to [[first base]] to ensure the game would be replayed.<ref name="page 19-20"/> When the game was played the next week, Ripken struck out 17, allowed two [[Hit (baseball)|hits]], and threw a [[complete game]] as Aberdeen won the state championship.<ref>Rosenfeld, p. 20</ref> He threw 102 pitches in the 7–1 victory.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ghostsofbaltimore.org/2013/09/24/os-2-draft-pick-ripken-fans-17-1978-championship/|title=O's No. 2 Draft Pick, Ripken, Fans 17 in 1978 Championship|last=Tom|date=September 24, 2013|website=Ghosts of Baltimore|language=en-US|access-date=March 5, 2019}}</ref>

==Professional career==
===Draft and minor leagues===
The [[Baltimore Orioles]] drafted Ripken in the second round of the [[1978 Major League Baseball draft]] 48th overall. Despite a story written by SABR, Ripken was selected with the Orioles' predetermined draft pick, not through a forfeited pick from the Boston Red Sox after the Sox selected Dick Drago in the 1977 re-entry draft. The Orioles would select catcher Cecil Whitehead with the pick they received from Boston two picks after Ripken.<ref name="Cal Ripken">{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/draft/|title=2nd Round of the 1978 MLB June Amateur Draft|website=Baseball-Reference.com}}</ref> 

On deciding to go straight from high school to the professional level, he said, "When the colleges started coming around, Dad and I talked about mostly whether I was going to pursue a career in baseball. If I had the ability, the feeling was to get on with it, and if it didn't work out, start over again in college at 25 or 26."<ref>Rosenfeld, p. 22</ref> Ripken played both pitcher and shortstop in high school; in fact, the Orioles were the only team not just interested in his pitching ability.<ref>Rosenfeld, p. 25</ref> The Orioles decided to start him playing shortstop in the minor leagues, deciding it would be easier for him to transition back to pitching if necessary than it would be for him to start hitting again.<ref name="page 26">Rosenfeld, p. 26</ref>

In 1978, to begin Ripken's minor league career, the Orioles assigned him to the [[Bluefield Blue Jays|Bluefield Orioles]] of the rookie [[Appalachian League]].<ref name="page 26"/> He batted .264 with 63 hits, no [[home runs]], and 24 RBIs, failing to make the league's all-rookie team.<ref>Rosenfeld, p. 30</ref> 

In 1979, Ripken moved up to the [[Minor League Baseball#Class A|Single-A]] [[Fort Myers Miracle|Miami Orioles]] of the [[Florida State League]]. Shortly into the season, Miami [[Manager (baseball)|manager]] [[Lance Nichols]] decided to move Ripken to third base, saying, "Cal was having some problems at short, so naturally I decided to shift him to third ... Third base was a perfect fit for Cal and our team."<ref>Rosenfeld, p. 31</ref> On July 2, Ripken hit his first professional home run, a game-winner in the 12th inning against Joseph Abone of the [[West Palm Beach Expos]].<ref name="page 33">Rosenfeld, p. 33</ref>  

Ripken batted .303, hit five home runs, led the league with 28 [[Double (baseball)|doubles]], and had 54 RBIs while playing in all 105 of Miami's games. He was named an All-Star after the season.<ref name="page 33" /> His performance earned him a brief call-up to the [[Charlotte Orioles]] of the [[Double-A (baseball)|Double-A]] [[Southern League (1964–2020)|Southern League]]; Ripken batted .180 in a month with them, albeit with three home runs.<ref>Rosenfeld, p. 34</ref> 

Ripken began 1980 with Charlotte. His manager at Charlotte, [[Jimmy Williams (coach)|Jimmy Williams]], predicted him to set the team home run record, and Ripken did not disappoint.<ref>Rosenfeld, pp.&nbsp;35–36</ref> At season's end, he had 25 home runs, besting the previous record by four. He also had 28 doubles, 78 RBIs, and a .492 [[slugging percentage]].<ref name="page 36">Rosenfeld, p. 36</ref> Ripken was named an All-Star while helping Charlotte win the Southern League championship.<ref name="page 36"/>

In 1981, Ripken was added to Baltimore's [[Major League Baseball rosters#Expanded roster|40-man roster]]. He attended [[spring training]] with the Orioles, but was sent to the [[Rochester Red Wings]] of the [[Triple-A (baseball)|Triple-A]] [[International League]] to start the season.<ref>Rosenfeld, p. 39</ref> At Rochester, Ripken played in the [[longest professional baseball game]]. Ripken started at third base and played all 33 innings against the [[Pawtucket Red Sox]] (which featured another future Hall of Famer, [[Wade Boggs]]) in a game that took parts of three days to complete.<ref>{{cite news |title=Mix future stars, Chill 33 innings, serve IL Classic |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1350&dat=20010417&id=m11IAAAAIBAJ&pg=6522,308294 |newspaper=Toledo Blade |date=April 17, 2001 |access-date=July 6, 2014}}</ref> Ripken hit 23 home runs for Rochester while batting .288 with 75 RBIs in 114 games.<ref name="R Stats">Rosenfeld, p. 273</ref> He was named the [[International League Rookie of the Year Award|International League Rookie of the Year]].<ref name="Rosenfeld 54">Rosenfeld, p. 54</ref>

===Baltimore Orioles (1981–2001)===
====1981–1986====
[[File:Cal Ripken Sr. & Jr..JPG|thumb|[[Cal Ripken Sr.]] and Jr. in 1982]]
The Orioles were planning to keep Ripken in Rochester through 1981, but searching for improvement in the second half of the 1981 season, they called him up on August 7.<ref>Rosenfeld, p. 48</ref> Manager [[Earl Weaver]] planned to have Ripken take over the role of utility infielder, in place of [[Wayne Krenchicki]], who had been sent down to make room for Ripken on the roster.<ref>Rosenfeld, p. 51</ref> He made his debut on August 10 as a [[pinch runner]] for [[Ken Singleton]] in the 12th inning of a game against the [[Kansas City Royals]]. Ripken scored on a hit by [[John Lowenstein]], giving the Orioles the win.<ref>Rosenfeld, p. 53</ref> His first major league hit came six days later against [[Dennis Lamp]] of the [[Chicago White Sox]].<ref name="Rosenfeld 54"/> Ripken finished the season batting .182 without an extra-base hit as the Orioles finished fourth in the second half of the season.<ref>Rosenfeld, p. 55</ref>

Ripken received the third base job for the Orioles in 1982 when the team traded DeCinces before the start of the season.<ref>Rosenfeld, p. 57</ref> He homered in his very first at-bat of the first game of the Orioles' 1982 season against [[Dennis Leonard]] of Kansas City as part of a three-hit outing. However, he slumped to begin the season; his batting average was .118 through May 1.<ref>Rosenfeld, p. 61</ref> Ripken looked for advice from several Orioles players and coaches but was most aided by advice from [[Reggie Jackson]]: "Just know what you know you can do, not what everybody else tells you to do."<ref>Rosenfeld, p. 64</ref> 

After that, Ripken hit well for the rest of the season.<ref>Rosenfeld, p. 67</ref> On May 29, Ripken did not play the second game of a [[Doubleheader (baseball)|doubleheader]], the last time he missed a game until 1998.<ref>Rosenfeld, p. 65</ref> On July 1, Weaver decided to permanently shift Ripken to shortstop, deciding that it was harder to find a shortstop who could hit than it was to find a third baseman who could hit.<ref name="page 69">Rosenfeld, p. 69</ref> Weaver said, "You never know. Rip might be a great shortstop."<ref name="page 69" /> Ripken hit 28 home runs that year en route to winning the [[American League]] (AL) [[MLB Rookie of the Year Award|Rookie of the Year Award]].<ref>Rosenfeld, p. 73</ref> Aided by Ripken, the Orioles contended for the playoffs until they lost to the [[Milwaukee Brewers]] on the final day of the season.<ref>Rosenfeld, p. 72</ref>

Ripken advanced even more in 1983, having what would be one of the best years of his career. He played well all season on the way to earning the first of 19 [[Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star]] berths.<ref>Rosenfeld, pp.&nbsp;77–78</ref> Roommate [[Rick Dempsey]] gave this analysis of Ripken's performance: "Certainly there were pitchers who faced him in 1982 and made or tried to make adjustments against him. But Cal was determined and worked hard to offset their adjustments."<ref>Rosenfeld, p. 79</ref> At season's end, Ripken had set Orioles' records for RBIs by a shortstop (102) and hits by all players (211).<ref name="page 86">Rosenfeld, p. 86</ref> He led the major leagues in hits and doubles (47) while also leading the AL with 121 [[runs scored]].<ref name="page 86"/> As a shortstop, he led the league in fielding percentage (.970), [[Assist (baseball)|assists]] (534), and [[double play]]s (111), although he did not win the [[Rawlings Gold Glove Award|Gold Glove Award]].<ref name="page 86"/> After the season, he was named the AL [[Major League Baseball Most Valuable Player Award|Most Valuable Player]] (MVP), hitting .318 with 27 home runs.<ref name="page 86"/> Ripken became the first player in MLB history to win Rookie of the Year and MVP Awards in consecutive seasons.

Ripken made the playoffs for the first time as the Orioles won the [[American League East|AL East]] in 1983.<ref>Rosenfeld, p. 83</ref> The Orioles defeated the White Sox in the [[1983 American League Championship Series|ALCS]] before beating the [[Philadelphia Phillies]] four games to one in the [[1983 World Series]]. In the series, Ripken hit just .167 with no homers and only one RBI.<ref>{{cite web|title=Cal Ripken Jr. World Series Stats|publisher=The Baseball Almanac|url=http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/playerpost.php?p=ripkeca01&ps=ws|work=Geisler Young|access-date=July 30, 2007}}</ref> Although not contributing significantly in the World Series with his bat, he made a number of key plays defensively at shortstop, including the final out of the series on a [[Garry Maddox]] lineout in Game 5.<ref>Rosenfeld, p. 85</ref> Before the 1984 season, Ripken signed a four-year contract for "about" $1&nbsp;million a year, the largest contract the Orioles had ever given to a player of his age.<ref>Rosenfeld, p. 92</ref> Again, he was named to the All-Star Game.<ref name="page 99">Rosenfeld, p. 99</ref> 

He racked up another fine season, batting .304 with 27 home runs, 86 RBIs, and 103 runs scored.<ref name="page 99" /> Although he failed to win a Gold Glove, he set an AL record with 583 assists.<ref name="page 99" /> The Orioles had a winning record but only managed to finish in fifth place.<ref name="page 99" /> Ripken's streak nearly came to an end in 1985. Against the [[Texas Rangers (baseball)|Texas Rangers]] in the second game of the season, he sprained his ankle on a fielding play. Ripken finished the game, but afterward, Dr. Charles Silverstein ordered him to rest for 24 hours. However, the Orioles had an off day after that game, and Ripken was back for their next game.<ref>Rosenfeld, pp.&nbsp;104–105</ref> During the season, Ripken was managed by his father when Cal Sr. filled in between [[Joe Altobelli]] and Weaver for one game on June 14.<ref>Rosenfeld, p. 108</ref> Ripken finished the year batting .282 with 26 home runs and 110 RBIs while also leading the league with 123 double plays and 286 [[putout]]s.<ref>Rosenfeld, p. 111</ref>

[[File:President Ronald Reagan talking with Cal Ripken Jr.jpg|thumb|Ripken with President [[Ronald Reagan]] in 1986]]
During June 1986, Ripken recorded a 17-game [[hitting streak]].<ref>Rosenfeld, p. 113</ref> It was a tough season for the Orioles, as they finished last for the first time in their tenure in Baltimore.<ref name="Rosenfeld 116">Rosenfeld, p. 116</ref> In a speech to the team before the [[All-Star break (MLB)|All-Star break]], Weaver criticized the healthy players on the team for not hitting, except Ripken. "Do you know the kid hasn't missed an infield practice all year? Now, he's going to the All-Star Game," Weaver said.<ref>Rosenfeld, pp.&nbsp;114–115</ref> He batted .282 with 81 RBIs, a drop partly because the Orioles scored 110 fewer runs than the year before. He was the first Oriole other than [[Eddie Murray]] since 1979 to lead the team in home runs, with 25.<ref name="Rosenfeld 116"/>

====1987–1990====
Cal Ripken Sr. replaced the retired Weaver as manager of the Orioles at the beginning of the 1987 season. That year, Ripken Sr. became the first manager to write two of his sons into the lineup card when both Ripken Jr. and his brother and fellow Oriole, [[Billy Ripken]], played in the same game on July 11.<ref name=electedtohof/> Later in the season, Ripken Sr. decided to take Ripken Jr. out of the game on September 14, in a blow-out loss to the [[Toronto Blue Jays]] at [[Exhibition Stadium]]. [[Ron Washington]] replaced him in the eighth inning, ending Ripken's streak of 8,243&nbsp;consecutive innings played.<ref name="page 130">Rosenfeld, p. 130</ref> Ripken Sr. called the streak a "burden" after the game, saying, "I had to do it sometime."<ref name="page 130"/> Consecutive innings streaks have not always been recorded, but Ripken's remains unchallenged by historians.<ref name="page 130"/> Ripken finished the year batting a career-low .252, but he still hit 27 home runs, had 98 RBIs, and [[Base on balls|walked]] a career-high 81 times. He also recorded a .982 fielding percentage.<ref>Rosefeld, pp.&nbsp;132–133</ref>

The Orioles considered having Ripken replace [[Ray Knight]] at third base in 1988, but they decided to keep him at shortstop.<ref>Rosenfeld, p. 136</ref> After the Orioles started the season 0–6, Ripken Sr. was fired and replaced by [[Frank Robinson]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Newhan |first=Ross |title=Ripken firing opens door for minority hiring |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1310&dat=19880413&id=ubRVAAAAIBAJ&pg=1707,2945838 |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |date=April 13, 1988 |access-date=July 6, 2014}}</ref> The Orioles started the year 0–21, with Ripken slumping as well to open the season.<ref>{{cite news |last=Reilley |first=Mike |title=Ripken recalls 0–21 start |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1914&dat=19970418&id=I9kgAAAAIBAJ&pg=3259,2903320 |newspaper=Sun Journal |date=April 18, 1997 |access-date=July 6, 2014}}</ref> He finished the year batting just .264, although he led major league shortstops with 23 home runs and 81 RBIs.<ref>Rosenfeld, pp.&nbsp;149–150</ref> He also had a particularly memorable play in the All-Star Game, making a tremendous catch and strong throw to retire [[Will Clark]] in the second inning.<ref name="page 148">Rosenfeld, p. 148</ref> [[Ken Rosenthal]] of ''[[The Baltimore Sun]]'' called it "the gem of the evening."<ref name="page 148"/>

During the 1988 season, Ripken had signed a three-year contract with an option for a fourth year, preventing him from being a [[free agent]] at season's end.<ref>Rosenfeld, p. 149</ref> On August 2, 1989, he and Billy combined for seven hits against the [[Boston Red Sox]], with Cal Jr. providing a game-winning hit late in the game.<ref name="page 157">Rosenfeld, p. 157</ref> That was an AL record for hits by brothers; the major league record was held by [[Lloyd Waner|Lloyd]] and [[Paul Waner]], who had eight on June 25, 1932.<ref name="page 157"/> Fifteen days later, he passed [[Steve Garvey]] by playing in his 1,208th straight game, moving to third on baseball's all-time list behind [[Lou Gehrig]] and [[Everett Scott]].<ref>Rosenfeld, p. 159</ref> Despite this accomplishment, Ray Robinson of ''[[The New York Times]]'' wrote, "Few regarded Ripken... or anyone else, as the successor to the Iron Horse."<ref name="streak 1989">{{cite news|last=Robinson|first=Ray|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/29/sports/baseball/29ripken.html?_r=0|title=The Iron Horse and Ripken|newspaper=The New York Times|date=July 29, 2007|access-date=July 14, 2014}}</ref> The Orioles, after posting three straight losing seasons, contended for the playoffs most of the year before missing out in the final week of the season.<ref name="page 161">Rosenfeld, p. 161</ref> Ripken slumped in September, as he had only seven hits in his final 55 [[at bat]]s.<ref name="page 161"/> He batted .257 in 1989 but was especially impressive for his fielding; he once went 47 games in a row without an error and finished the year with a .990 fielding percentage.<ref>Rosenfeld, pp.&nbsp;161–162</ref>

Ripken slumped offensively in 1990, batting .209 through his first 59 games.<ref name="page 167">Rosenfeld, p. 167</ref> However, throughout the year, he impressed players and fans with his fielding.<ref name="page 167"/> On June 12, he broke [[Mark Belanger]]'s Baltimore record for most consecutive errorless chances by a shortstop.<ref name="page 167"/> He went 67 straight games before experiencing what was originally scored an error on June 26.<ref name="page 168">Rosenfeld, p. 168</ref> However, [[official scorer]] Bill Steka decided the error was really [[Mike Devereaux]]'s fault and changed the call the next day.<ref name="page 168"/> Ripken continued the streak to 95 games, breaking the Major League record for shortstops and setting the AL record for infielders other than third basemen.<ref name="page 171">Rosenfeld, p. 171</ref> On June 12, he also passed Scott to move into second place all-time for consecutive games played. The milestone came at [[Memorial Stadium (Baltimore)|Memorial Stadium]]; however, the fans [[booing|booed]] him because of his offensive slump.<ref name="page 167"/> Ripken finished the year batting .250, leading the Orioles with 21 home runs, 84 RBIs, 150 hits, and 78 runs scored.<ref name="page 174">Rosenfeld, p. 174</ref> He and Billy tied for the team lead with 28 doubles.<ref name="page 174"/> Ripken committed only three errors in 1990, shattering the previous record of six in a season. Despite his fielding accomplishments, [[Ozzie Guillén]], who had committed 17 errors, won the Gold Glove Award.<ref name="page 175">Rosenfeld, p. 175</ref> Some felt that Ripken should have won the award: [[Tim Kurkjian]] called the vote a "crime", and [[Bobby Valentine]] stated that he was, "embarrassed by the actions of my peers."<ref name="page 175"/>

====1991–1995====
[[File:President Bush, Queen Elizabeth, Mrs. Bush, Cal Ripken, Jr.png|thumb|right|Ripken (left) with President [[George H. W. Bush]], [[Elizabeth II]] and [[Barbara Bush]] in 1991]]
Ripken had a career year in 1991.<ref name="page 187">Rosenfeld, p. 187</ref> Through the All-Star break, his batting average was .348, making him the first shortstop to be leading the league in average through that point since [[Lou Boudreau]] in 1947.<ref>Rosenfeld, p. 182</ref> He finished the season by hitting .323 with a career-high 34 home runs and 114 RBIs.<ref name="page 187"/> In addition, Ripken hit 46 doubles, [[Stolen base|stole]] a career-high six bases, and hit five triples while posting his career lowest strikeout rate and fewest strikeouts in a season with 600 or more plate appearances.<ref name="page 187"/> He became the first Major League shortstop ever to tally 30 home runs and 200 or more hits or 30 home runs and 40 or more doubles.<ref name="page 187"/>

Ripken won his second AL MVP award, his first Gold Glove Award, the [[Major League Baseball All-Star Game MVP Award|All-Star Game MVP Award]] (going two for three including a three-run home run off [[Dennis Martínez]]), the [[Gatorade]] Home Run Derby contest (hitting a then-record 12 home runs in 22 swings, including seven consecutive homers to start the contest), [[Louisville Slugger]] "Silver Slugger Award", [[Associated Press]] (AP) Player of the Year Award, and ''[[The Sporting News]]'' Player of the Year Award.<ref>Rosenfeld, pp.&nbsp;182–183, 188, 190, 192</ref> The only other player in MLB history to win all those awards in the same season, excluding the Home Run Derby, was [[Maury Wills]] in 1962.<ref name="Rosenfeld 192">Rosenfeld, p. 192</ref> 

Ripken's home run off of former Orioles and then [[Montreal Expos]] pitcher [[Dennis Martínez]] was the defining moment of American League's 4–2 victory in the [[1991 Major League Baseball All-Star Game]]. As a result, Ripken was the first player to win both the Home Run Derby and All-Star Game MVP Award in the same year.<ref name="Cal Ripken" /> As for his regular-season MVP award, he was the first to win the award in the American League while playing with a sub-.500 club; the Orioles finished in sixth place that year with a 67–95 record. Ripken was only the second player to be named league MVP on a team with a losing record; [[Andre Dawson]] was the first in 1987, winning the NL MVP with the last-place [[Chicago Cubs]].<ref>Rosenfeld, p. 189</ref>

At the end of the 1991 season, [[Memorial Stadium (Baltimore)|Memorial Stadium]], the Orioles' home since 1954, saw its last MLB game against the Tigers. Ripken was the last Oriole to bat at the stadium, hitting into a double play against Detroit's [[Frank Tanana]] on October 6, 1991.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sports/longterm/memories/cal/ripfacts.htm |title=Facts About Cal Ripken's Career |date=August 22, 1995 |access-date=July 30, 2007 |newspaper=The Washington Post}}</ref>

During the 1992 season, Ripken and the Orioles tried to work out a new contract.<ref name="page 2-3">Rosenfeld, pp.&nbsp;202–203</ref> Several times throughout the season, Ripken endured batting slumps.<ref name="page 2-3"/> He said after the season, "I don't like to make excuses for the fact that I wasn't hitting, but I was distracted&nbsp;... I just felt like the Orioles were playing mind games with me. Whether that was right or wrong, it was bothering me."<ref>Rosenfeld, pp.&nbsp;203–204</ref> On August 22, Ripken finally signed a five-year, $30.5&nbsp;million contract, the largest in baseball history at the time.<ref>Rosenfeld, p. 206</ref> Ripken's slumps continued, and he was even booed by Orioles fans late in the season.<ref>Rosenfeld, p. 210</ref> He finished the year batting .251 with career-lows in home runs (14) and RBIs (72).<ref>Rosenfeld, pp.&nbsp;213–214</ref> The Orioles contended for the playoffs much of the year, and were not eliminated until September 27.<ref>Rosenfeld, p. 213</ref> However, he did win his second Gold Glove Award.<ref name="page 214">Rosenfeld, p. 214</ref>

[[File:Cal Ripken Jr. in 1993.jpg|thumb|Ripken in 1993]]
For the first time in Ripken's career, he became the only Ripken in the Orioles' organization, as the Orioles ousted his father as coach and traded Billy to Texas.<ref>Rosenfeld, p. 215</ref> His slump continued at the start of the 1993 season, but Ripken managed to get out of it in May by adopting a taller batting stance.<ref>Rosenfeld, p. 227</ref> Because of his early-season struggles, some criticized him for playing every day.<ref name="page 232">Rosenfeld, p. 232</ref> [[Bobby Bonds]] said of Ripken's playing every day, "That's idiotic. If I were his manager, he'd be out of there."<ref name="page 232"/> Oriole coach [[Davey Lopes]] responded that only Ripken could tell whether or not he needed a day off.<ref name="page 232"/> 

On June 6, Ripken injured his knee during a brawl against the [[Seattle Mariners]] and was convinced for most of the next day that he would be unable to play.<ref name="page 233">Rosenfeld, p. 233</ref> However, the knee felt better at gametime, enabling the streak to continue.<ref name="page 233" /> Ripken achieved a personal milestone on July 10, when he collected his 2,000th career hit, during a game at [[Oriole Park at Camden Yards]] against [[Wilson Álvarez]] of the White Sox.<ref>{{Cite news|author=Mark Maske|title=Valenzuela Stays Hot, Cools White Sox; Orioles Charge to 6–0 Victory as Ripken Gets 2,000th Hit and Hoiles Homers Again|date=July 11, 1993|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-955175.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080905054211/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-955175.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 5, 2008|access-date=June 19, 2008}}</ref> Because of Ripken's struggles, most managers and some sportswriters felt he should be left out of the All-Star Game in Baltimore that year; however, the fans gave him more than two million votes to ensure his spot.<ref>Rosenfeld, p. 237</ref> Following the All-Star break, Ripken's hitting improved greatly, as he batted .300 with 14 home runs and 46 RBIs for the rest of the season.<ref>Rosenfeld, p. 239</ref> He finished the year batting .257 with 24 home runs and 90 RBIs.<ref>Rosenfeld, pp. 243</ref>

Before the 1994 season, the [[Elias Sports Bureau]] informed the Orioles that Ripken had surpassed [[Ernie Banks]] for most career home runs as a shortstop with his 278th on July 15 against [[Scott Erickson]].<ref name="page 245">Rosenfeld, p. 245</ref> Banks met Ripken at a ceremony on February 9 and said, "I'm extremely happy that he broke this record because it give me a chance to come back and be remembered too."<ref name="page 245"/> Ripken started the season strong, batting .340 with 19 RBIs through April.<ref>Rosenfeld, p. 248</ref> On May 24, Ripken had six RBIs, including his 300th home run against [[Teddy Higuera]], as the Orioles rallied from a 5–0 deficit to defeat the Brewers 13–5.<ref>Rosenfeld, p. 249</ref> On August 1, he played in his 2,000th consecutive game, a 1–0 victory over the Twins at the [[Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome|Metrodome]].<ref>Rosenfeld, p. 253</ref> Through 112 games, Ripken batted .315 with 13 home runs and 75 RBIs before the [[1994–95 Major League Baseball strike]] canceled the rest of the season.<ref>Rosenfeld, p. 259</ref>

[[File:2131 on the warehouse wall.jpg|thumb|left|The numbers on the Orioles' warehouse changed from 2130 to 2131 on September 6, 1995, to celebrate Cal Ripken Jr. passing Lou Gehrig's consecutive games played streak.]]
Many baseball fans within and outside of the United States tuned into [[ESPN]] to watch Ripken surpass [[Lou Gehrig]]'s 56-year-old record for consecutive games played (2,130 games). The game, between the Orioles and the [[California Angels]], still ranks as one of the network's most-watched baseball games (baseball's most-watched game was Game 7 of the [[1986 World Series]]). Cal's children, Rachel and Ryan, threw out the ceremonial first balls. Both President [[Bill Clinton]] and [[Vice President of the United States|Vice President]] [[Al Gore]] were at the game; Clinton was with the commentators on ESPN for the Orioles' half of the fourth inning.<ref name=":0" />

The Orioles erected special box seats for the game to raise money for the Johns Hopkins University to study [[Lou Gehrig's disease]].<ref name=":0">{{cite news |last1=Boswell |first1=Thomas |author1-link=Thomas Boswell |title=History, Fans Embrace Ripken in 2,131st Game |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sports/orioles/longterm/memories/cal/articles/launch/rip2131.htm |access-date=August 28, 2022 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=September 7, 1995}}</ref> When the game became official after the bottom of the fifth inning, the numerical banners that displayed Ripken's streak on the wall of the [[Baltimore & Ohio Warehouse at Camden Yards]] outside the stadium's right-field wall changed from 2130 to 2131.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/almanac/video/1995/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130117075920/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/almanac/video/1995/index.html |archive-date=January 17, 2013 |work=CNN|title=Cal Ripken Jr. plays in his 2,131st consecutive game}}</ref><ref name="streak">{{cite web |url=https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/ripken-breaks-record-for-consecutive-games-played |title=Sep 6, 1995: Ripken breaks record for consecutive games played |work=History Channel |date=November 16, 2009 |access-date=November 15, 2013}}</ref>

[[File:President Bill Clinton with Cal Ripken Jr.jpg|thumb|Ripken with President [[Bill Clinton]] after breaking Lou Gehrig's consecutive games played streak]]
Ripken received a standing ovation from the crowd, the opposing players, and the umpires that lasted more than 22 minutes, one of the longest standing ovations for any athlete; ESPN did not go to a commercial break during the entire ovation. During the ovation, Ripken did a lap around the entire Camden Yards warning track to shake hands and give high-fives to the fans.<ref name="streak"/>

After the game concluded, there was an elaborate ceremony which included a number of speeches from dignitaries including [[Joe DiMaggio]], a teammate of Gehrig.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-1995-09-07-1995250087-story.html|title=At ceremony, thanks and gifts for Ripken 2,131: RIPKEN PASSES GEHRIG|website=Baltimore Sun|date=September 7, 1995 }}</ref> During his speech, Ripken said, "Tonight I stand here, overwhelmed, as my name is linked with the great and courageous Lou Gehrig. I'm truly humbled to have our names spoken in the same breath. This year has been unbelievable. I've been cheered in ballparks all over the country. People not only showed me their kindness, but more importantly, they demonstrated their love of the game of baseball. I give my thanks to baseball fans everywhere. Tonight, I want to make sure you know how I feel. As I grew up here, I not only had dreams of being a big league ballplayer, but also of being a Baltimore Oriole. For all of your support over the years, I want to thank you, the fans of Baltimore, from the bottom of my heart. This is the greatest place to play."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-almanac.com/quotes/quoripk.shtml|title=Cal Ripken Jr. Quotes|work=Baseball Almanac|access-date=November 15, 2013}}</ref>

Reflecting on that evening after his election to the Hall of Fame, Ripken said, "[[Bobby Bonilla]] and [[Rafael Palmeiro]] pushed me out of the dugout and said, 'Hey, if you don't do a lap around this thing, we'll never get the game started.' I thought it was a ridiculous sort of thing&nbsp;... but as I started to do it, the celebration of 50,000 started to be very one-on-one and very personal. I started seeing people I knew&nbsp;... Those were the people that had been around the ballpark all those years, and it was really a wonderful human experience."<ref name=electedtohof/>

Ripken hit .262 in 1995 with 17 home runs and had 88 RBIs.<ref name="bb-ref">{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/r/ripkeca01.shtml|title=Cal Ripken Statistics|publisher=Baseball-Reference.com|work=Sports Reference, Inc.|access-date=July 30, 2007}}</ref>

====1996–2001====
[[File:Cal Ripken, Jr in 1996 (cropped).jpg|thumb|upright|left|Ripken in 1996 at [[Yankee Stadium (1923)|Yankee Stadium]]]]
Ripken began the 1996 season slowly, but his playing improved as the season went on.<ref name="bordick">{{cite news |last=Olney |first=Buster |title=O's move shifts Ripken to 3rd; 15-year tenure at short is over after signing of free agent Bordick; Ripken nod seals the deal; Gillick says changes help defense, pitching |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/406945712 |newspaper=The Baltimore Sun |date=December 13, 1996 |access-date=November 19, 2013|id={{ProQuest|406945712}} }}</ref> On June 14 at [[Kauffman Stadium]] in Kansas City against the Royals, Ripken broke the world record of consecutive games played by playing in his 2,216th. The record had been held by [[Sachio Kinugasa]] of Japan. Kinugasa was at the game to watch Ripken break his record.<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=Ripken Ties World Record |url=https://www.spokesman.com/stories/1996/jun/14/ripken-ties-world-record/ |newspaper=The Spokesman-Review |location=Spokane, WA |date=June 14, 1996 |access-date=November 19, 2013}}</ref> On July 15, Ripken was moved to third base as an experiment, with [[Manny Alexander]] taking the shortstop position.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1996/B07150BAL1996.htm|title=Baltimore Orioles 8, Toronto Blue Jays 6|publisher=Retrosheet.org|access-date=January 10, 2011}}</ref> He was told the change would be permanent but was moved back to shortstop after Alexander had one hit in his six games at shortstop.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.cgi?id=alexama02&t=b&year=1996|title=Manny Alexander 1996 Batting Gamelogs|work=Sports Reference, Inc.|publisher=Baseball-Reference.com|access-date=November 19, 2013}}</ref> 

Ripken appeared in 163 games during the regular season in 1996, batting .278 with 26 home runs, 102 RBIs, and a .980 fielding percentage at shortstop.<ref name="bb-ref" /> He returned to the playoffs for the first time in 13 years as the Orioles won the AL [[Wild card (baseball)|Wild Card]]. In the [[1996 American League Division Series|AL Division Series]], Baltimore defeated Cleveland in four games, with Ripken batting .444 in the series.<ref name="bb-ref" /><ref>{{cite news |last=Olney |first=Buster |title=Extra-ordinary O's; Alomar's hit in 9th, home run in 12th win playoff series; Yankees are next opponent; Indians fall, 4–3, despite racking up record 23 strikeouts |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/406935810 |newspaper=The Baltimore Sun |date=October 6, 1996 |access-date=November 19, 2013 |archive-date=May 31, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140531124357/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/baltsun/doc/406935810.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Oct+06%2C+1996&author=Olney%2C+Buster&pub=The+Sun&edition=&startpage=&desc=Extra-ordinary+O%27s%3B+Alomar%27s+hit+in+9th%2C+home+run+in+12th+win+playoff+series%3B+Yankees+are+next+opponent%3B+Indians+fall%2C+4-3%2C+despite+racking+up+record+23+strikeouts |id={{ProQuest|406935810}} |url-status=live }}</ref> His average fell to .250 in the [[1996 American League Championship Series|ALCS]] as the Orioles were defeated in five games by the Yankees.<ref>{{cite news |last=Olney |first=Buster |title=Yanks end O's wild ride; New York's six-run third finishes O's collapse at Camden, ends series in 5; Error, Fielder's HR are key; O's drop 3rd straight here; N.Y. back in World Series for first time since 1981 |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/406953735 |newspaper=The Baltimore Sun |date=October 14, 1996 |access-date=November 19, 2013|id={{ProQuest|406953735}} }}</ref>

In 1997, the Orioles signed free-agent shortstop [[Mike Bordick]] from the [[Oakland Athletics]] and moved Ripken back to third base permanently.<ref name="bordick"/> General manager [[Pat Gillick]] said that the move was made not because of problems by Ripken but because more defensive options were available at shortstop than at third base.<ref name="bordick"/> Had Ripken not wanted to move back to third base, the Orioles likely would have signed [[Tim Naehring]] instead.<ref name="bordick"/>

Ripken was scheduled to become a free agent following the 1997 season, but at the start of the year he agreed to a two-year extension with the Orioles.<ref>{{cite news |last=Schmuck |first=Peter |title=A case of delayed gratification; After 1 day wait, O's, fans blown away by good news in opener; O's BIG DAY: WIN, 4–2, SIGN RIPKEN, TOO |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/406975874 |newspaper=The Baltimore Sun |date=April 3, 1997 |access-date=November 19, 2013|id={{ProQuest|406975874}} }}</ref> During the season, he suffered from nerve damage that at times kept him from being able to sit on the bench.<ref>{{cite news |last=Strauss |first=Joe |title=Ripken decides against surgery; Third baseman says disk problem in back is on the mend |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/407006189 |newspaper=The Baltimore Sun |date=November 1, 1997 |access-date=November 19, 2013|id={{ProQuest|407006189}} }}</ref> However, he did not miss a game and batted .270 with 17 home runs and 84 RBIs as the Orioles again made the playoffs—this time by winning the AL East.<ref name="bb-ref"/><ref>{{cite news |last=Schmuck |first=Peter |title=After fine year, O's face large challenge; Baseball: The Mariners and Randy Johnson are imposing opponents in the first round of the playoffs. |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/407014459 |newspaper=The Baltimore Sun |date=April 3, 1997 |access-date=November 19, 2013 |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304104014/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/baltsun/doc/407014459.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS%3AFT&type=current&date=Oct+1%2C+1997&author=Schmuck%2C+Peter&pub=The+Sun&edition=&startpage=&desc=After+fine+year%2C+O%27s+face+large+challenge%3B+Baseball%3A+The+Mariners+and+Randy+Johnson+are+imposing+opponents+in+the+first+round+of+the+playoffs. |id={{ProQuest|407014459}} |url-status=live }}</ref> Ripken batted .438 as the Orioles defeated the Mariners in four games in the [[1997 American League Division Series|ALDS]].<ref name="bb-ref"/> He batted .348 and hit a home run in the [[1997 American League Championship Series|ALCS]], but the Orioles fell to Cleveland in six games.<ref name="bb-ref"/>

Ripken batted .271 with 14 home runs and 61 RBIs in 1998.<ref name="bb-ref"/> On September 20, before the final home game of the season against the Yankees, Ripken decided to end his streak at 2,632 games, having surpassed Gehrig's previous record by 502 games. Rookie third baseman [[Ryan Minor]] started in his place, at first thinking it was a rookie prank. Realizing that the streak was coming to an end, the fans, his teammates, and the visiting Yankees (with [[David Wells]] being the first to notice that Ripken was not playing during batting practice) gave Ripken an ovation after the game's first out was recorded. Ripken later stated that he decided to end the streak at the end of the season to avoid any offseason controversy about his playing status and to end the streak entirely on his own terms while he still could.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/bal-cal1998sep23-htmlstory.html |last=Strauss |first=Joe |work=[[The Baltimore Sun]] |date=September 21, 1998 |title=After 2,632 consecutive games, Iron Man takes a seat |access-date=January 10, 2011}}</ref> Ripken returned to the lineup for the final seven games of the season, on the road against the [[Toronto Blue Jays]] and [[Boston Red Sox]].

[[File:Cal ripken jr.jpg|thumb|left|Ripken in the later part of his career]]
In 1999, Ripken had the highest batting average of his career, at .340.<ref name="bb-ref"/> Although he was injured at both the beginning and the end of the 1999 season and also mourned the loss of his father and former coach Cal Ripken Sr. only a few days before 1999's opening game, he hit 18 homers in 332 at-bats (one HR every 18.4 AB's).<ref name="bb-ref"/><ref>{{cite news |last=Strauss |first=Joe |title=Road rally has Mussina in Cy race; 2-run 7th, 4-run 8th lift O's by Red Sox, 6–1, give ace 13th victory; Martinez injury opens door; Ripken returns, caps 8th with 2-run single |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/406408423 |newspaper=The Baltimore Sun |date=July 22, 1999 |access-date=November 19, 2013|id={{ProQuest|406408423}} }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Strauss |first=Joe |title=Bordick, Surhoff rise with spots in order; Rhodes talks on hold; Ripken return may wait |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/406443734 |newspaper=The Baltimore Sun |date=July 22, 1999 |access-date=November 19, 2013|id={{ProQuest|406443734}} }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Kubatko |first=Roch and Joe Strauss |title='Personal issues' weigh on Ripken; Coping with father's death 'not easy'; O's eye Wohlers |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/406408301 |newspaper=The Baltimore Sun |date=April 14, 1999 |access-date=November 19, 2013|id={{ProQuest|406408301}} }}</ref> He had the best individual game of his career, going 6-for-6 with two home runs off [[John Smoltz]] and tying a club record with 13 [[total bases]] against the [[Atlanta Braves]] on June 13.<ref>{{cite news |last=Kubatko |first=Roch |title=Ripken leaves mark on Atlanta; With O's not returning until 2001, third baseman goes out with 6-for-6 bang |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/406412773 |newspaper=The Baltimore Sun |date=June 14, 1999 |access-date=November 19, 2013|id={{ProQuest|406412773}} }}</ref> On September 2, he hit the 400th home run of his career against [[Rolando Arrojo]] of the [[Tampa Bay Devil Rays]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Strauss |first=Joe |title=Rikpen milestone hits home; In 2nd game back, O's 3rd baseman hits 400th career homer; He's 29th on long-ball list; Ripken 'relieved' that HR quest is over |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/406429296 |newspaper=The Baltimore Sun |date=September 3, 1999 |access-date=November 19, 2013|id={{ProQuest|406429296}} }}</ref>

Ripken's 1999 season ended early due to injury when he was only nine hits away from joining the [[3,000 hit club]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Strauss |first=Joe |title=Ripken needs '00 for 3,000, but is that it?; Iron Man has said game will tell him when to quit, surgery notwithstanding |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/406415991 |newspaper=The Baltimore Sun |date=September 26, 1999 |access-date=November 20, 2013|id={{ProQuest|406415991}} }}</ref> He achieved the milestone early in the 2000 season in the April 15 game against the Twins at the [[Metrodome]] when he singled off reliever [[Héctor Carrasco]]; [[Eddie Murray]], another member of the club and the Orioles' first-base coach, was the first to congratulate him. Ripken had a good night at the plate, recording three hits, the third of which was the milestone.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-almanac.com/box-scores/boxscore.php?boxid=200004150MIN |title=Box Score of Game played on Saturday, April 15, 2000 at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome |work=Baseball Almanac |access-date=November 22, 2013}}</ref> Ripken missed all of July and August with a back injury. He was selected to the All-Star Game but sat out because of the injury, marking the first All-Star Game that he missed since his rookie season.<ref>{{cite news |last=Strauss |first=Joe and Roch Kubatko |title=Pain again drives Ripken from field; will he return? Nagging back places Oriole at crossroads |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/406466764 |newspaper=The Baltimore Sun |date=June 29, 2000 |access-date=November 20, 2013|id={{ProQuest|406466764}} }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Strauss |first=Joe and Peter Schmuck |title=Club: Ripken to be Oriole until the end But Angelos, Thrift say '01 contract rests with player's back; Vet rejects move to 1st, DH; 'Never consideration of Cal not finishing'; Orioles |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/406450710 |newspaper=The Baltimore Sun |date=September 12, 2000 |access-date=November 20, 2013|id={{ProQuest|406450710}} }}</ref> In 83 games, Ripken batted .256 (his lowest total since 1992) with 15 home runs and 56 RBIs.<ref name="bb-ref"/>

In June 2001, Ripken announced he would retire at the end of the season.<ref>{{cite news |last=Strauss |first=Joe |title=Ripken to retire Orioles' Iron Man to finish season; 'Can't play forever'; A 'passion for what's next'; His youth initiative, family and direction of team guided move |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/406483916 |newspaper=The Baltimore Sun |date=June 19, 2001 |access-date=November 20, 2013|id={{ProQuest|406483916}} }}</ref> He was voted the starting third baseman in the All-Star Game at Seattle's [[Safeco Field]] on July 10, 2001.<ref>{{cite news |last=Strauss |first=Joe |title=Lasting impression: Ripken's stardust 3rd baseman relishes leaving 'mark' with 19th All-Star Game |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/406513018 |newspaper=The Baltimore Sun |date=July 4, 2001 |access-date=November 20, 2013|id={{ProQuest|406513018}} }}</ref> In a tribute to Ripken's achievements and stature in the game, shortstop [[Alex Rodriguez]] (unknowingly foreshadowing his own future) insisted on exchanging positions with third baseman Ripken for the first inning, so that Ripken could play shortstop as he had for most of his career. That move allowed Ripken to claim the record of most MLB All-Star Game appearances at shortstop. In the third inning, Ripken made his first plate appearance and was greeted with a standing ovation. Ripken then homered off the first pitch from [[Chan Ho Park]]. Ripken ended up with All-Star MVP honors, becoming one of four players in MLB history with multiple All-Star Game MVP Awards (1991 and 2001) and the only player to be named All-Star Game MVP in two different decades.<ref name=ASGMVP>{{cite news |title=All-Star Cal Ripken magic: Retiring Iron Man comes through again as Oriole dominates his final All-Star Game. |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/406488980 |newspaper=The Baltimore Sun |date=July 12, 2001 |access-date=November 20, 2013|id={{ProQuest|406488980}} }}</ref>

The Orioles planned to retire Ripken's #8 in a ceremony before the final home game of the 2001 season, in late September. Ripken's final game was originally set to be played at [[Yankee Stadium (1923)|Yankee Stadium]]; however, the [[September 11, 2001, attacks]] led to the postponement of a week's worth of games. The games missed were added onto the end of the season's schedule. Because all the games the Orioles missed were at home, this changed the location of Ripken's final game to Oriole Park, much to the delight of Orioles fans.<ref name="retirement">{{cite news |last=Apperson |first=Jay |title=Final salute to Ripken; Fans, dignitaries gather for last game of Orioles' Iron Man; Uniform number retired; THE RETIREMENT OF CAL RIPKEN |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/406511902 |newspaper=The Baltimore Sun |date=October 7, 2001 |access-date=November 20, 2013|id={{ProQuest|406511902}} }}</ref> On October 6, Ripken ended his career in the on-deck circle in the bottom of the ninth inning, with 48,807 fans in attendance.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pomrenke |first=Jacob |title=October 6, 2001: Orioles say goodbye to Cal Ripken Jr. – Society for American Baseball Research |url=https://sabr.org/gamesproj/game/october-6-2001-orioles-say-goodbye-to-cal-ripken-jr/ |access-date=July 18, 2025 |language=en-US}}</ref> Longtime teammate [[Brady Anderson]], also playing in his last game for the Orioles, swung and missed on a fastball high and tight on a 3–2 count to end the game.<ref>{{cite news |last=Lambrecht |first=Gary |title=No last ups on friendship for teammate Anderson; His strikeout ends game with Ripken on deck |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/406507847 |newspaper=The Baltimore Sun |date=October 7, 2001 |access-date=November 20, 2013|id={{ProQuest|406507847}} }}</ref> After the game, Ripken gave a speech thanking the fans for their support over 20 seasons.<ref>{{cite news |title=Ripken: Tonight closes a chapter of a dream |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/406515730 |newspaper=The Baltimore Sun |date=October 7, 2001 |access-date=November 20, 2013|id={{ProQuest|406515730}} }}</ref> Ripken was healthier in his final season than he had been over his last two, as he appeared in 128 games. He batted a career-low .239 with 14 home runs and 68 RBIs.<ref name="bb-ref"/>

==Charity==
{{MLBBioRet
|Align = right
|Image = CalRipken8.png
|Name = Cal Ripken Jr.
|Number = 8
|Team = Baltimore Orioles
|Year = 2001
|}}
Throughout his career, Ripken has contributed his time and money to numerous charitable organizations. Following the signing of his new contract in 1984, Ripken announced he would distribute 1984 Orioles tickets to underprivileged children in Harford County, donate to the Harford Center, and donate to the [[Baltimore School for the Arts|Baltimore School for the Performing Arts]].<ref>Rosenfeld, p. 93</ref> In 1988, he and wife Kelly founded the Cal Ripken Jr., Lifelong Learning Center, which is dedicated to teaching adults to read.<ref>Rosenfeld, p. 151</ref> In 1992, MLB recognized him with the [[Roberto Clemente Award]].<ref name="page 202">Rosenfeld, p. 202</ref> In 1997, Ripken received the Golden Plate Award of the [[Academy of Achievement|American Academy of Achievement]] presented by Awards Council members and Baltimore Orioles co-owners [[Peter Angelos]] and [[Tom Clancy]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Golden Plate Awardees of the American Academy of Achievement |website=www.achievement.org |publisher=[[American Academy of Achievement]] |url=https://achievement.org/our-history/golden-plate-awards/#sports}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Cal Ripken Jr. Biography and Interview |url=https://achievement.org/achiever/cal-ripken-jr/|quote=1997: Cal Ripken, Jr. receiving the Golden Plate Award presented by Host Co-Chairmen bestselling author Tom Clancy and Baltimore Orioles owner Peter G. Angelos during the Academy's International Achievement Summit.}}</ref>

Ripken has made donations to many various charitable causes, including donations supporting research on [[Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis|Lou Gehrig's disease]]. After he broke Gehrig's record, the Orioles, along with private donors, created the Cal Ripken/Lou Gehrig Fund for Neuromuscular Research at Johns Hopkins University.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://esgweb1.nts.jhu.edu/press/1997/JULY/970705.HTM |title=Oriole Makes Donation to Ripken/Gehrig Disease Research Fund |work=Johns Hopkins University |date=July 24, 1997 |access-date=November 20, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131211072950/http://esgweb1.nts.jhu.edu/press/1997/JULY/970705.HTM |archive-date=December 11, 2013}}</ref> Along with his brother Billy, he formed the Cal Ripken Sr., Foundation in 2001 to give underprivileged children the opportunity to attend baseball camps around the country and learn the game. The Foundation is a branch of Ripken Baseball.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kent.edu/news/newsdetail.cfm?newsitem=A7A98E42-DCCA-DD66-E9C65C1F6ECF3471 |title=Cal Ripken Jr., Baseball's Iron Man, to Speak at Kent State Tuscarawas |work=Kent State University |date=October 8, 2010 |access-date=November 20, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131212060005/http://www.kent.edu/news/newsdetail.cfm?newsitem=A7A98E42-DCCA-DD66-E9C65C1F6ECF3471 |archive-date=December 12, 2013}}</ref> 

In addition to controlling these camps and Ripken's minor league teams, Ripken Baseball operates for-profit camps and designs ballfields for youth, college, and professional teams.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ripkenbaseball.com/about |title=About Ripken Baseball |work=Ripken Baseball |access-date=November 20, 2013 |archive-date=December 12, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131212045445/https://www.ripkenbaseball.com/about |url-status=dead }}</ref> He gives speeches about his time in baseball and some of the lessons he has learned. Between 2001 and 2004, inclusive, Ripken served as [[White House Tee Ball Initiative#List of White House Tee Ball Commissioners|commissioner]] of the [[White House Tee Ball Initiative]] of President [[George W. Bush]], in which capacity he worked to promote the value of teamwork amongst players and volunteership amongst the public and helped to teach [[tee ball]] fundamentals to teams of children at the [[White House]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Ripken retakes the field – for White House T-ball; Ex-Oriole star looks on as league's commissioner |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/406516552 |newspaper=The Baltimore Sun |date=May 6, 2002 |access-date=November 21, 2013 |archive-date=December 12, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131212042441/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/baltsun/doc/406516552.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=May+6%2C+2002&author=&pub=The+Sun&edition=&startpage=&desc=Ripken+retakes+the+field+-+for+White+House+T-ball+%3B+Ex-Oriole+star+looks+on+as+league%27s+commissioner |id={{ProQuest|406516552}} |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2007, Ripken, along with [[Andre Agassi]], [[Muhammad Ali]], [[Lance Armstrong]], [[Warrick Dunn]], [[Mia Hamm]], [[Jeff Gordon]], [[Tony Hawk]], [[Andrea Jaeger]], [[Jackie Joyner-Kersee]], [[Mario Lemieux]], and [[Alonzo Mourning]] founded Athletes for Hope, a charitable organization, which helps professional athletes get involved in charitable causes and inspires millions of non-athletes to volunteer and support the community.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.athletesforhope.org/ |title=Athletes for Hope |work=athletesforhope.org |access-date=November 21, 2013}}</ref> Ripken also announced a partnership with [[Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities]], with the donation of [[U.S. dollars|US$]]1&nbsp;million in cash and equipment from the Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation.<ref>{{Cite news|first=Rick|last=Maese|title=Ripken a reminder of O's past success, current problems|newspaper=The Baltimore Sun|date=April 10, 2007}}</ref>

[[File:USDC and ECA Baseball Diplomacy Event feat. U.S. Sports Envoy Cal Ripken, Jr (48765537331).jpg|thumb|upright=0.85|Ripken at a 2019 event discussing his experience as a Special Sports Envoy]]
On August 13, 2007, Secretary of State [[Condoleezza Rice]] announced that Ripken had been named Special Sports Envoy for the [[United States State Department|US State Department]] and that he would be going to China in October: "...&nbsp;we're just delighted that somebody of Cal Ripken's stature is going to be someone who will go out and represent America so well and represent what we consider to be American values, but [[universal value]]s; that hard work and diligence and the willingness to really put it all on the line every day is something that kids need to learn", said Rice.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://2001-2009.state.gov/secretary/rm/2007/08/90860.htm |title=Announcement of Cal Ripken Jr. as Special Sports Envoy |work=U.S. Department of State Archive |date=August 13, 2007 |access-date=February 19, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=2972509 |title=Bush administration hopes Ripken will boost USA's image worldwide |work=ESPN |date=August 13, 2007 |access-date=February 19, 2014}}</ref> 

"A Shortstop in China" premiered on the [[Mid-Atlantic Sports Network]] on May 8, 2009, chronicling Ripken's trip to China to share the game of baseball with youth and coaches while nurturing American-Chinese diplomacy.<ref name="shortstop in china">{{cite web |url=http://ashortstopinchina.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090417041508/http://ashortstopinchina.com/ |url-status=usurped |archive-date=April 17, 2009 |title=Official "A Shortstop in China" program webpage |work=A Shortstop in China |access-date=November 21, 2013}}</ref> The documentary included footage from the 11 clinics Cal and former Oriole [[B. J. Surhoff]] held from [[Beijing]] to [[Guangzhou]].<ref>{{cite news |first=Candus |last=Thompson |title=An interview with the men behind Cal Ripken's 'A Shortstop in China' |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/bs-mtblog-2009-03-sugarcoated_baseball-story.html |newspaper=The Baltimore Sun |date=May 7, 2009 |access-date=February 19, 2014 |archive-date=March 3, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303213723/http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/sports/thetoydepartment/2010/07/post_28.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> The documentary also showed Ripken accepting his appointment from Rice and featured a variety of interviews, from Ripken's wife Kelly to former Undersecretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs, [[Karen Hughes]].<ref name="shortstop in china" />

On May 31, 2008, Ripken received an [[honorary doctorate|honorary Doctor of Humanities]] degree from the [[University of Delaware]] and served as the university's commencement speaker.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Cal Ripken Jr. to speak at UD graduation|date=April 8, 2008|work=Delaware Online|url=http://www.delawareonline.com/article/20080408/NEWS/80408038/Cal-Ripken-Jr-speak-UD-graduation?nclick_check=1|access-date=November 21, 2013}}</ref> On May 19, 2013, Ripken received an [[honorary doctorate|honorary Doctor of Public Service]] degree from the [[University of Maryland]] while serving as the university's general commencement speaker.<ref>{{Cite news |first=Candy |last=Thomson |title=Ripken gets honorary degree as University of Md. graduates 7,700 |date=May 19, 2013 |work=[[The Baltimore Sun]] |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/education/bs-xpm-2013-05-19-bs-md-maryland-graduation-20130519-story.html}}</ref>

In an interview with Ray Robinson, Ripken said, "My personal philosophy is to get a feeling of fulfillment through my work. I have a desire to create something. I guess that's why I've long been fascinated by two books, ''[[The Fountainhead]]'' and ''[[Atlas Shrugged]]'' [both by [[Ayn Rand]]]. The leading figure in ''The Fountainhead'', an architect named Howard Roark, is someone I've thought about a good deal."<ref name="streak 1989"/>

==Legacy==
At {{convert|6|ft|4|in|abbr=on}}, {{convert|225|lb|abbr=on}}, Ripken was a departure from the prototypical shortstop of the time—small, fleet-of-foot players who played a defensively difficult position but often did not post the home run and batting average totals that an outfielder might. Power hitting shortstops such as [[Alex Rodriguez]], [[Nomar Garciaparra]] and [[Miguel Tejada]] are often seen by fans to be part of Ripken's legacy.<ref name=electedtohof>{{Cite news|last=Fordin |first=Spencer|title=Ripken elected to Hall of Fame|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070108&content_id=1775136&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb|work=MLB.com|date=January 9, 2007|access-date=July 30, 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Schmuck |first=Peter |title=Ripken HRs do number at short; His power path to 400 remade position for Jeters, Rodriguezes; CAL RIPKEN : 400 HOME RUNS |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/406427373 |newspaper=The Baltimore Sun |date=September 4, 1999 |access-date=November 19, 2013 |archive-date=December 12, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131212043006/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/baltsun/doc/406427373.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Sep+4%2C+1999&author=Schmuck%2C+Peter&pub=The+Sun&edition=&startpage=&desc=Ripken+HRs+do+number+at+short%3B+His+power+path+to+400+remade+position+for+Jeters%2C+Rodriguezes%3B+CAL+RIPKEN+%3A+400+HOME+RUNS |id={{ProQuest|406427373}} |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=O'Connell|first=Jack|title=Ripken's career more than numbers|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20061222&content_id=1767080&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb|work=[[MLB.com]]|date=December 28, 2006|access-date=July 30, 2007}}</ref>

Nonetheless, Ripken demonstrated the ability to play excellent defense at shortstop, and as a result remained a fixture there for well over a decade, leading the league in assists several times, winning the Gold Glove twice, and, in 1990, setting the MLB record for best fielding percentage in a season at his position.<ref name="page 99"/><ref name="page 171"/><ref name="page 214"/> Though not a flashy fielder, Ripken displayed excellent fundamentals, and studied batters and even his own pitching staff so he could position himself to compensate for his lack of physical speed.<ref>Rosenfeld, p.&nbsp;175–176</ref> Ripken's legacy as a fielder is reflected by his place near the top of almost every defensive statistical category—he holds at least one all-time record (for either season, career, or most seasons leading the league) in assists, putouts, fielding percentage, double plays, and fewest errors. Ripken's career [[range factor]] was 4.73 (and as high as 5.50 for a single season), a mark few shortstops have reached.<ref name="bb-ref"/>

Ripken's power, which led to records such as most home runs by a shortstop and 13th place in career doubles, had consequences. His propensity to drive the ball often led to his grounders getting to fielders quickly for tailor-made double-play balls. In 1999, Ripken passed [[Hank Aaron]] as the player who had grounded into the most double plays in his career (a record that was again broken by [[Albert Pujols]] in 2017).<ref name="offensive double plays">{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leaders/GIDP_career.shtml |title=Career Leaders & Records for Double Plays Grounded Into |publisher=Sports-Reference, Inc. |work=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=August 9, 2019}}</ref> Ripken is third on the fielding side for double plays by a shortstop (1565, behind [[Omar Vizquel]]'s 1734 and [[Ozzie Smith]]'s 1590).<ref name="defensive double plays">{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leaders/DP_ss_career.shtml |title=Career Leaders & Records for Double Plays Turned as SS |publisher=Sports-Reference, Inc. |work=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=November 22, 2013}}</ref>

Ripken was also notable for never settling on a signature batting stance during his long career. Sometimes referred to as "the man of 1,000 stances", Ripken would change his stance in response to a slump, or if his current choice "didn't feel good."<ref name="csnwashington.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.csnwashington.com/video_content_type/table-manners-cal-ripken-jr-explains-his-many-batting-stances |title=Video &#124; CSN Mid-Atlantic |publisher=Csnwashington.com |date=April 22, 2016 |access-date=May 6, 2016}}</ref> When asked about his propensity for experimentation during an interview, Ripken responded that a batting stance "was only a starting point".<ref name="csnwashington.com"/>

[[File:Cal Ripken at University of Texas at Arlington (10009625).jpg|thumb|Ripken honored at the [[University of Texas at Arlington]]]]
A poll of fans by ''[[MLB.com]]'' ranked Ripken's 2,131st straight game the "Most Memorable Moment" in MLB history, leading such moments as Gehrig's farewell speech in 1939 and [[Jackie Robinson]]'s breaking of the color barrier in 1947.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mlb.com/mlb/events/memorable_moments/mlb_memorable_moments.jsp|title=Major League Baseball Memorable Moments|work=MLB.com|access-date=July 30, 2007|archive-date=March 19, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100319050809/http://mlb.com/mlb/events/memorable_moments/mlb_memorable_moments.jsp|url-status=dead}}</ref> 46,272 baseball fans attended this game and were able to witness this historical moment in person.<ref>{{Cite web |last=admin |title=Ripken's Record for Consecutive Innings Played – Society for American Baseball Research |url=https://sabr.org/journal/article/ripkens-record-for-consecutive-innings-played/ |access-date=July 18, 2025 |language=en-US}}</ref> The write-up in the 1996 ''Sporting News Baseball Guide'', which was written shortly after Ripken set the record, called the streak "what almost everyone considered the high point of the major league season."<ref>1996 ''Sporting News Baseball Guide'', published by ''The Sporting News''</ref> In 2005, the Orioles honored Ripken on the 10th anniversary of his 2,131st consecutive game. After the top of the fifth inning, the numbers 2130 on the warehouse behind the stadium changed to 2131, just as they did on September 6, 1995.<ref>{{cite news |last=Connolly |first=Dan |title=An encore for Ripken; Iron Man, small crowd gladly revisit the past; THE STREAK: 10 YEARS LATER |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/406681448 |newspaper=The Baltimore Sun |date=September 7, 2005 |access-date=November 21, 2013|id={{ProQuest|406681448}} }}</ref>

Ripken has stated that he never felt comfortable being compared to Gehrig. {{blockquote|Lou has monstrous numbers and was like [[Babe Ruth]]. How was it possible to compare him to me? But I realized what we did share is playing in consecutive games. It was still uncomfortable for me. When you're mentioned with him, I'm not sure you fully understand what it means.<ref>{{cite news|last=Curry|first=Jack|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/12/sports/baseball/12curry.html|title=Jeter's Pursuit of Gehrig Recalls Ripken's Streak|newspaper=The New York Times|date=September 11, 2009|access-date=July 14, 2014}}</ref>}}

Billy and Cal Ripken are one of only four two-brother combinations in major league history to play second base/shortstop on the same club. The others are [[Garvin Hamner|Garvin]] and [[Granny Hamner]] for the [[Philadelphia Phillies]] in 1945; the twins [[Eddie O'Brien (baseball)|Eddie]] and [[Johnny O'Brien]] with the [[Pittsburgh Pirates]] in the mid-1950s, and [[Frank Bolling|Frank]] and [[Milt Bolling]] for the [[Detroit Tigers]] in 1958.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/submit/Sargent_Jim7.stm |title=Milt Bolling |work=BaseballLibrary.com |access-date=November 22, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121012020823/http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/submit/Sargent_Jim7.stm |archive-date=October 12, 2012}}</ref>

[[File:Cal Ripken, Jr sitting at Camden Yards Aug 2007.jpg|thumb|upright|Ripken (left) is honored by the Orioles in 2007]]
On January 9, 2007, Ripken was [[2007 Baseball Hall of Fame balloting|elected]] to the [[National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum|Hall of Fame]], appearing on 537 out of 545 of the ballots cast (98.53%), eight votes short of a unanimous selection. His percentage is the sixth-highest in history, behind [[Mariano Rivera]] (100%), [[Derek Jeter]] and [[Ichiro Suzuki]] (99.75%), [[Ken Griffey Jr.]] (99.32%), [[Tom Seaver]] (98.84%), and [[Nolan Ryan]] (98.79%). [[Tony Gwynn]], who was appearing on his first ballot as well, was chosen alongside Ripken. Both Hall of Fame-Elects were formally inducted on July 29, 2007.<ref name="HOF election">{{Cite news|first=Barry M.|last=Bloom|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070109&content_id=1775441&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb|title=The Hall call arrives for Gwynn, Ripken|work=MLB.com|date=January 9, 2007|access-date=July 30, 2007}}</ref> The induction ceremony was attended by a record 75,000 people including special guests of Ripken: [[John Travolta]], [[Kelly Preston]], [[Steve Geppi]], and Ron Shapiro (Ripken's agent during his career).<ref>{{cite news |last=Connolly |first=Dan |title=This weekend began months ago |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-2007-07-28-0707280432-story.html |newspaper=The Baltimore Sun |date=July 28, 2007 |access-date=November 21, 2013}}</ref><ref name="HOF induction">{{cite web |last=Newman |first=Mark |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070729&content_id=2116814&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb |title=Hall of Fame welcomes two class acts |work=MLB.com |date=July 29, 2007 |access-date=November 21, 2013}}</ref>

Ripken has received several tributes outside of baseball. On September 23, 2001, the [[NASCAR]] Winston Cup series and [[MBNA]] renamed the [[2001 MBNA Cal Ripken Jr. 400|fall race]] at Dover International Speedway in Dover, Delaware, naming the race the [[MBNA Cal Ripken Jr. 400]]. The race paid tribute to the legacy of Ripken, who was in attendance greeting the competing drivers as they crossed the stage during driver introductions. Driver [[Bobby Labonte]] had a special paint scheme on his #18 [[Interstate Batteries]] car featuring Baltimore Orioles colors along with Ripken's retirement seal. The race was won by [[Dale Earnhardt Jr.]], who was then driving the #8 car. The race was also the first race held after the September 11, 2001, attacks as the race scheduled for Loudon a week earlier had been postponed in the wake of the attacks.<ref>{{cite news |last=McKee |first=Sandra |title=Earnhardt Jr. delivers when it counts; Winning Ripken Jr. 400 is a fitting conclusion to emotional afternoon |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/406497687 |newspaper=The Baltimore Sun |date=September 24, 2001 |access-date=November 19, 2013|id={{ProQuest|406497687}} }}</ref> On March 30, 2008, [[Interstate 395 (Maryland)|I-395]]'s eastern branch in [[Baltimore]], from [[Interstate 95 in Maryland|I-95]] to Conway Street, was named ''Cal Ripken Way''.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Showind Drivers the Ripken Way|date=May 31, 2008|work=The Baltimore Sun|url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/406206124|access-date=November 20, 2013|id={{ProQuest|406206124}} }}</ref>

Because of Ripken's success during his career, he became a prominent advertising figure, appearing in advertisements for brands such as [[Nike, Inc.|Nike]], [[Chevrolet]], [[True Value]] Hardware, [[Wheaties]], [[PowerAde]], and other companies, some of which were small, Maryland businesses. These advertisements would often stress Ripken's "dependability, durability, and wholesomeness", linking that to their product. Ripken became an emblem to Americans through his hard work, loyalty to the Orioles, and his charity off the field.<ref name="nostalgia">{{cite web |last=Nathan |first=David A. and Mary G. McDonald |url=https://journals.ku.edu/index.php/amerstud/article/viewFile/3095/3054 |title=Yearning for Yesteryear: Cal Ripken Jr., The Streak, And the Politics of Nostalgia |work=journals.ku.edu |access-date=May 5, 2014}}</ref>

Ripken was humble about his success, once saying, {{blockquote|text=I have talent, no doubt. My advantage is that I know the game well. The reason is that I grew up in it and had a good teacher in my father. I'm sure that whatever I am as a man and a ballplayer comes from the way I was raised. But am I a superstar? Oh, no. I don't think I stack up with the great players in the league.|sign=Cal Ripken Jr.|source=Macnow, p. 60}} Author Glen Macnow responded to Ripken's comments by writing, "Anyone who has seen Cal Ripken Jr. play knows differently."<ref>Macnow, p. 60</ref>

==Personal life==
Ripken was married to Kelly Geer.<ref>Rosenfeld, p. 134</ref> They have a daughter, Rachel,<ref>{{cite news |first=Peter |last=Barzilai |url=http://content.usatoday.com/communities/dailypitch/post/2010/07/cal-ripken-jr-considers-return-to-orioles-organization/1 |title=Cal Ripken Jr. considers return to Orioles organization |newspaper=[[USA Today]] |date=July 14, 2010 |access-date=March 17, 2012}}</ref> and a son, Ryan.<ref name="Ryan" /> On April 28, 2016, Ripken and Geer finalized their divorce after a one-year separation.<ref>{{cite news |first=Brittany |last=Britto |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/features/baltimore-insider/bal-cal-ripken-kelly-ripken-divorce-20160428-story.html |title=Cal Ripken Jr., wife Kelly Ripken have divorced |newspaper=The Baltimore Sun |date=April 28, 2016 |access-date=May 6, 2016}}</ref>

In 2018 Ripken married Laura Kiessling, who is a judge in the Appellate Court of Maryland. They have four children between them and reside in Annapolis, Maryland.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Polus |first=Sarah |date=October 12, 2018 |title=Cal Ripken weds his judge girlfriend |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2018/10/12/cal-ripken-weds-his-judge-girlfriend/ |access-date=June 17, 2024 |newspaper=Washington Post |language=en-US |issn=0190-8286}}</ref>  

[[File:Ryan Ripken (27590479964).jpg|thumb|upright=0.75|Ryan Ripken batting for the [[Auburn Doubledays]] in 2016]]
His son Ryan was also a baseball player, and was drafted by the Orioles in the 20th round of [[2012 Major League Baseball draft|Major League Baseball's 2012 amateur draft]].<ref>{{cite news |first=Greg |last=Luca |url=http://baltimore.orioles.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120606&content_id=32858890&vkey=news_bal&c_id=bal |title=O's add another Ripken to Family in 20th Round |website=Orioles.com |publisher=MLB.com |date=June 6, 2012 |access-date=February 19, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120609010816/http://baltimore.orioles.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120606&content_id=32858890&vkey=news_bal&c_id=bal |archive-date=June 9, 2012}}</ref> He chose to attend college instead, beginning his first year at the [[University of South Carolina]] in 2012.<ref name="Ryan">{{cite news |last=McKee |first=Sandra |date=November 14, 2011 |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/high-school/bs-va-sp-ripken-signing-1115-20111114-story.html |title=Ryan Ripken looking for 'new adventures' at South Carolina |newspaper=The Baltimore Sun |access-date=May 21, 2019 |archive-date=November 16, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191116033515/https://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/high-school/bs-va-sp-ripken-signing-1115-20111114-story.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> He transferred to [[Indian River Community College]] and was drafted in the 15th round of the [[2014 Major League Baseball draft|Major League Baseball's 2014 amateur draft]] by the [[Washington Nationals]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Meoli |first1=Jon |title=Orioles re-sign Ryan Ripken to minor league contract |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/bs-sp-orioles-ryan-ripken-20171003-story.html |access-date=May 21, 2019 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=October 3, 2017}}</ref> After being released by the Nationals in March 2017, he signed with the Orioles and was assigned to the [[Aberdeen Ironbirds]], which were owned by his father, and played at [[Ripken Stadium|a stadium that carries the family name]].<ref name="milb">[https://www.milb.com/player/ryan-ripken-623222 Ryan Ripken stats] MiLB.com</ref> Ryan advanced as high as the AAA [[Norfolk Tides]] in 2021, but after going unsigned through the following offseason, he announced his retirement from professional baseball.<ref name="milb" />

Ripken's mother, Violet Ripken, was kidnapped at gunpoint and safely returned on July 24, 2012. She was gone for 12 hours before her disappearance was reported to authorities.<ref>{{cite news |first1=Yvonne |last1=Wenger |first2=Justin |last2=Fenton |first3=Mary Gail |last3=Hare |title=Vi Ripken abducted at gunpoint, return quietly |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/latest/bs-md-ripken-mother-missing-20120725-story.html |access-date=July 26, 2012 |newspaper=The Baltimore Sun |date=July 25, 2012}}</ref> On October 15, 2013, she was approached by a man with a handgun in a parking lot at the NBRS Bank in [[Aberdeen, Maryland]]. The man demanded her car, but he fled after she activated a [[Panic button|key alarm]]. She was unharmed. A spokesman for the Aberdeen Police said the two incidents appeared unrelated.<ref>{{cite web|title=Cal Ripken's mom has brush with gunman|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/cal-ripkens-mom-has-brush-with-gunman/|work=CBS News|date=October 15, 2013 |access-date=October 16, 2013}}</ref>

In 2020, Ripken announced that he had undergone successful treatment for prostate cancer.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Baseball Legend Cal Ripken Jr. Says He's Fully Recovered After Secret Prostate Cancer Diagnosis |url=https://people.com/sports/cal-ripken-jr-fully-recovered-secret-prostate-cancer-diagnosis/ |access-date=September 2, 2024 |website=Peoplemag |language=en}}</ref>

Ripken has written or cowritten 17 books, and contributed forewords to numerous others. After the 1996 season, he released an autobiography titled ''The Only Way I Know'', co-written with Mike Bryan, which was a [[The New York Times Best Seller list|''New York Times'' Best Seller]].<ref>Jack O'Connell, "Cal Ripken Jr., Lou Gehrig Reunite in Hallowed Hall of Fame", ''Memories and Dreams'', (Induction 2007, Volume 29, Number 4), page 15.</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://caaspeakers.com/cal-ripken-jr/ |title=Cal Ripken Jr. |work=CAA Speakers |access-date=May 5, 2014}}</ref> Following his retirement, he wrote several more, including ''Play Baseball the Ripken Way: The Complete Illustrated Guide to the Fundamentals'', also written by his brother Billy and co-authored by Larry Burke, in 2005. He released the book ''Parenting Young Athletes the Ripken Way'', co-written with Rick Wolff, in 2006 after seeing too many young athletes who he felt were being pressured unnecessarily by their parents. He said, "I was thinking, 'This just creates too much pressure on kids.' They need to find an environment in which they can explore their game&nbsp;... without all these kinds of pressures being brought to bear. Once I started thinking about it, I saw we had more than enough to fill a book."<ref>{{cite news |last=Pitts |first=Jonathan |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/bal-ripkenbook482006-story.html |title='The Ripken Way' for parents |newspaper=The Baltimore Sun |date=April 8, 2006 |access-date=May 5, 2014}}</ref> Then in 2007, he released three books, starting with ''Coaching Youth Baseball the Ripken Way'', also written by his brother Billy and co-authored by Scott Lowe, which highlights 50 practice drills, topics include coaching responsibly, goal setting for youth, and effective practice planning.<ref>{{cite book|last=Ripken|first=Cal Jr.|title=Coaching Youth Baseball the Ripken Way|year=2007|publisher=Human Kinetics|isbn=978-0-7360-6782-9|page=[https://archive.org/details/coachingyouthbas0000ripk/page/264 264]|url=https://archive.org/details/coachingyouthbas0000ripk/page/264}}</ref> Later, in April of that year, he released two more books: ''Get in the Game: 8 Elements of Perseverance That Make the Difference'', co-written with Donald T. Phillips, described as a motivational guide to success; and ''The Longest Season'', co-written with Ron Mazellan, a children's book about [[1988 Baltimore Orioles season|the Orioles' 1988 season]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Miller |first=Matthew |url=http://www.nbcnews.com/id/18156470/ns/business-forbescom/#.U2dydPldW8A |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140505143629/http://www.nbcnews.com/id/18156470/ns/business-forbescom/#.U2dydPldW8A |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 5, 2014 |title=Cal Ripken Jr. is on another streak |work=NBC News |date=April 17, 2007 |access-date=May 5, 2014}}</ref> In 2011, he released ''Hothead'', a children's fiction book co-written with [[Kevin Cowherd]] which was also a ''New York Times'' bestseller.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/best-sellers-books/2011-03-27/overview.html |title=Best Sellers |newspaper=The New York Times |date=March 27, 2011 |access-date=May 5, 2014}}</ref> In addition, he has been writing a weekly youth sports advice [[newspaper column]] in the ''[[Baltimore Sun]]'' since 2005.<ref>{{cite news |last=Madigan |first=Nick |title=Ripken to offer advice in column in The Sun |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-2005-10-14-0510140068-story.html |newspaper=The Baltimore Sun |date=October 14, 2005 |access-date=November 21, 2013}}</ref>

In addition to his writing, Ripken has been the subject of several books. In 1995, Harvey Rosenfeld released a biography on him entitled ''Iron Man: The Cal Ripken Jr., Story''.<ref>Rosenfeld, Acknowledgements</ref> Later, in 2007, Jeff Seidel released a biography on him entitled, ''Iron Man: Cal Ripken Jr., a Tribute''.<ref>{{cite web |last=Chapter |first=Bob Davids |url=http://chapters.sabr.org/bobdavids/meetings/list-of-past-talkin-baseballs |title=Past Talkin' Baseballs |work=Society for American Baseball Research |date=February 25, 2009 |access-date=May 5, 2014}}</ref> A children's biography of Ripken, ''Cal Ripken Jr., Quiet Hero'' was published in 1993 by Lois Nicholson.<ref>{{cite news |last=Powder |first=Jackie |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-1995-03-24-1995083152-story.html |title=Author says biographies of athletes help children with life's lessons |newspaper=The Baltimore Sun |date=March 24, 1995 |access-date=May 5, 2014}}</ref> In addition, Ripken has been the subject of scholarly publications analyzing the impact of his career.<ref name="nostalgia"/><ref>{{cite journal |last=Purcell |first=Kristen |title=In a League of Their Own: Mental Leveling and the Creation of Social Comparability in Sport |journal=Sociological Forum|volume=11 |issue=3 |pages=435–456 |date=September 1996 |doi=10.1007/BF02408387 |s2cid=143470486}}</ref>

===Business ventures===
Ripken owns several minor league baseball teams. In 2002, he purchased the [[Utica Blue Sox]] of the [[New York–Penn League]] and moved them to his hometown of Aberdeen, renaming them the [[Aberdeen IronBirds]]. The team is the High-A affiliate team in the Orioles' system and plays at [[Ripken Stadium]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Kubatko |first=Roch |title=Ripken starts own birds nest; He names Aberdeen team IronBirds, unveils logo; Matthews starts in center |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/406532351 |newspaper=The Baltimore Sun |date=April 12, 2002 |access-date=November 21, 2013 |archive-date=January 2, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140102191032/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/baltsun/doc/406532351.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Apr+12%2C+2002&author=Kubatko%2C+Roch&pub=The+Sun&edition=&startpage=&desc=Ripken+starts+own+birds+nest+%3B+He+names+Aberdeen+team+IronBirds%2C+unveils+logo%3B+Matthews+starts+in+center |id={{ProQuest|406532351}} |url-status=live }}</ref> On June 28, 2005, he announced that he was purchasing the [[Augusta GreenJackets]] of the [[South Atlantic League]], a Single-A affiliate of the [[San Francisco Giants]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/news/gcs-40995732 |title=Team History |work=[[Minor League Baseball]] |access-date=August 13, 2011}}</ref> At the end of the 2008 season, Ripken purchased the [[Vero Beach Devil Rays]] of the Single-A advanced [[Florida State League]] and moved them to [[Port Charlotte, Florida]], where they were renamed the [[Charlotte Stone Crabs]].<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.milb.com/news/gcs-443310 |title=Ripken Baseball buys Vero Beach franchise |author=Czerwinski, Kevin T. |work=[[Minor League Baseball]] |date=August 8, 2008 |access-date=July 13, 2009 |archive-date=July 14, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110714093139/http://floridastate.league.milb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080808&content_id=443310&vkey=news_l123&fext=.jsp&sid=l123 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>[http://charlotte.stonecrabs.milb.com/index.jsp?sid=t2730 Official Charlotte Stone Crabs website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140102200943/http://charlotte.stonecrabs.milb.com/index.jsp?sid=t2730 |date=January 2, 2014 }}. ''milb.com''. Retrieved November 21, 2013</ref>

On January 10, 2007, Ripken expressed interest in purchasing the Baltimore Orioles if current owner [[Peter Angelos]] were to sell the team. He had yet to be approached as of 2013 about the potential purchase of the team.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=2726939 |title=Ripken interested in buying Orioles |work=ESPN |date=January 10, 2007 |access-date=November 21, 2013}}</ref> Though he had not purchased them, Ripken was quoted in a July 17, 2010, [[Associated Press]] article as saying he would consider rejoining the Orioles part-time as an advisor and full-time after his son graduated from high school in 2012.<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 14, 2010 |title=Cal Ripken Jr. could return to Baltimore Orioles as part-time adviser |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=5380774 |access-date=August 13, 2011 |website=ESPN.com|agency=Associated Press}}</ref> 

In October 2007, Ripken began working as a studio analyst for [[Major League Baseball on TBS|TBS Sports]] during the 2007 Major League Baseball playoffs.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.tbs.com/stories/story/0,,113920,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130728111851/http://www.tbs.com/stories/story/0%2C%2C113920%2C00.html |archive-date=July 28, 2013 |title=Cal Ripken Jr. |work=TBS Sports |access-date=November 21, 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref> He continued to serve in the role {{as of|2013|lc=y}}.<ref>{{cite web |last=Newman |first=Mark |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article/mlb/tbs-to-feature-robust-postseason-coverage?ymd=20130926&content_id=61851428 |title=TBS to feature robust postseason coverage |work=MLB.com |date=September 26, 2013 |access-date=November 21, 2013}}</ref>

Ripken was on the board of directors of [[ZeniMax Media]] until 2021.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.zenimax.com/about |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407060705/http://www.zenimax.com/about|title=Board of Directors |website=ZeniMax Media |archive-date=April 7, 2014|access-date=March 18, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first=Eddie|last=Makuch|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/zenimax-board-of-directors-dissolved-after-xboxs-bethesda-purchase/1100-6488918/|title=ZeniMax Board Of Directors Dissolved After Xbox's Bethesda Purchase|website=[[GameSpot]]|date=March 17, 2021|access-date=March 18, 2021}}</ref> On February 28, 2008, Ripken announced his venture into the massively multiplayer online sports game market with ''[[Cal Ripken's Real Baseball]]''.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.bizjournals.com/baltimore/stories/2008/02/25/daily33.html |first=Ryan |last=Sharrow |title=Cal Ripken Jr. goes to bat for online video game |newspaper=Baltimore Business Journal |date=February 28, 2008 |access-date=February 20, 2014}}</ref>

In 2013, Ripken sold the Augusta GreenJackets to Agon Sports & Entertainment.<ref>{{cite web |last=Lee |first=David |date=May 13, 2013 |title=New owners official for GreenJackets |url=https://www.augustachronicle.com/story/sports/high-school/2013/05/13/new-owners-official-greenjackets/14454381007/ |accessdate=September 6, 2024 |work=August Chronicle}}</ref> In 2016, Ripken sold the Charlotte Stone Crabs to Caribbean Baseball Initiative headed by Lou Schwechheimer.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.news-press.com/story/sports/2016/01/13/former-red-sox-minor-league-owner-buys-charlotte-stone-crabs-lou-schwechheimer/78691494/|title=Former Red Sox minor league exec buys Charlotte Stone Crabs|first=David |last=Dorsey|work=News-Press|date=January 13, 2016|accessdate=June 1, 2024}}</ref>

The Ripken Experience is a group of sports complexes. The first opened in [[Aberdeen, Maryland]]. A second location with nine baseball fields is located in [[Myrtle Beach, South Carolina]]. Opened in 2006, it cost $26{{nbs}}million with $7{{nbs}}million more spent since then. A third location was set to open in summer 2016 in [[Pigeon Forge, Tennessee]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/sports/mlb/article26553100.html |title=Ripken proud of Myrtle Beach baseball complex's growth |first=Ryan |last=Young |work=[[The Sun News]] |date=July 5, 2015 |access-date=July 6, 2015}}</ref>{{update after|2016}}

In January 2024, [[John P. Angelos]] reached a $1.725 billion deal to sell the [[Baltimore Orioles]] to a group led by [[David Rubenstein]]. The group included Ripken, [[Michael Bloomberg]], former Baltimore Mayor [[Kurt Schmoke]], New York investment manager Michael Arougheti and NBA legend [[Grant Hill]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Allentuck |first1=Andy Kostka,Pamela Wood,Danielle |date=January 31, 2024 |title=John Angelos agrees to sell Orioles to group led by David Rubenstein, Cal Ripken Jr. |url=https://www.thebaltimorebanner.com/sports/orioles-mlb/baltimore-orioles-sale-john-angelos-david-rubenstein-JXHAPWXKSNFS7JR3K6KRCC4LEY/ |access-date=January 31, 2024 |work=The Baltimore Banner |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Trister |first1=Noah |date=January 31, 2024 |title=David Rubenstein has a deal to buy the Baltimore Orioles for $1.725 billion, AP source says |url=https://apnews.com/article/baltimore-orioles-david-rubenstein-sale-dffd7b500dc97d432ad1e739df656a67 |access-date=January 31, 2024 |work=AP News |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Kostka |first1=Andy |date=January 31, 2024 |title=Kurt Schmoke and Michael Bloomberg part of new O's ownership, sources say |url=https://www.thebaltimorebanner.com/sports/orioles-mlb/orioles-ownership-group-michael-bloomberg-kurt-schmoke-grant-hill-david-rubenstein-cal-ripken-jr-QACXXKA3UJCUNHK4FOSQG25TPQ/ |access-date=January 31, 2024 |work=The Baltimore Banner |language=en}}</ref> It was not immediately clear how large Ripken's stake will be or what sort of role he will have.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Allentuck |first1=Andy Kostka,Pamela Wood,Danielle |date=January 31, 2024 |title=John Angelos agrees to sell Orioles to group led by David Rubenstein, Cal Ripken Jr. |url=https://www.thebaltimorebanner.com/sports/orioles-mlb/baltimore-orioles-sale-john-angelos-david-rubenstein-JXHAPWXKSNFS7JR3K6KRCC4LEY/ |access-date=January 31, 2024 |work=The Baltimore Banner |language=en}}</ref> By March 2024, Ripken agreed to serve as an advisor with the team.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rill |first=Jake |date=March 28, 2024 |title=Ripken 'really jazzed' to be part of Orioles' ownership group |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/cal-ripken-jr-discusses-role-in-orioles-ownership-group |access-date=August 24, 2024 |website=MLB.com |language=en}}</ref>

==Awards and records==

===Awards===
[[File:Cal Ripken exhibit at HOF.jpg|thumb|Cal Ripken Jr. exhibit at the [[National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum|Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum]]]]
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!style="background:#ccf;"|Award / Honor
!style="background:#ccf;"|Time(s)
!style="background:#ccf;"|Date(s)
|-
|American League [[Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star]]
|19
|1983–2001<ref name="bb-ref"/>
|-
|American League [[Silver Slugger Award]] (SS)
|8
|1983–86, 1989, 1991, 1993, 1994<ref name="bb-ref"/>
|-
|American League [[MLB Most Valuable Player award|Most Valuable Player]]
|2
|1983, 1991<ref name="bb-ref"/>
|-
|[[Major League Baseball All-Star Game MVP Award|MLB All-Star Game Most Valuable Player]]
|2
|1991, 2001<ref name=ASGMVP/>
|-
|American League [[Gold Glove Award]] (SS)
|2
|1991, 1992<ref name="page 214"/>
|-
|''[[Sporting News|The Sporting News]]''' MLB Player of the Year
|2
|1983, 1991<ref name="Rosenfeld 192"/>
|-
|American League [[MLB Rookie of the Year award|Rookie of the Year]]
|1
|1982<ref name="bb-ref"/>
|-
|Roberto Clemente Award
|1
|1992<ref name="page 202"/>
|-
|Lou Gehrig Memorial Award
|1
|1992<ref>Rosenfeld, p. 220</ref>
|-
|''[[Sports Illustrated]]'' magazine's "[[Sportsman of the Year]]"
|1
|1995<ref name="1995 awards">{{cite news |last=Kent |first=Milton |title=A 'flattered' Cal Ripken adds to his treasure chest of awards |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/406915854 |newspaper=The Baltimore Sun |date=February 13, 1996 |access-date=November 22, 2013|id={{ProQuest|406915854}} }}</ref>
|-
|Associated Press "[[Associated Press Athlete of the Year|Athlete of the Year]]"
|1
|1995<ref name="1995 awards"/>
|-
|''[[Sporting News|The Sporting News]]''' "Sportsman of the Year"
|1
|1995<ref name="1995 awards"/>
|-
|[[Commissioner's Historic Achievement Award]]
|1
|2001<ref name="ironman">{{cite news|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/2001/allstar/news/2001/07/10/gwynn_ripken_ap/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025102134/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/2001/allstar/news/2001/07/10/gwynn_ripken_ap/|archive-date=October 25, 2012|title=Baseball begins to bid farewell to Ripken, Gwynn|agency=Associated Press|date=July 10, 2001|work=CNNSI.com|publisher=CNN / Sports Illustrated|access-date=September 25, 2009}}</ref>
|-
|Stan Musial Lifetime Achievement Award For Sportsmanship
|1
|2016<ref name="STL Sports">{{cite web|url=http://stlsports.org/awards/honorees/cal-ripken-jr/|title=Cal Ripken jr.|date=2016|work=stlsport.org|publisher=stlsports|access-date=November 7, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161108134834/http://stlsports.org/awards/honorees/cal-ripken-jr/|archive-date=November 8, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|}

===Records and honors===
*1995: Broke Lou Gehrig's consecutive games streak<ref name="streak"/>
*1999: Ranked #78 on ''The Sporting News''{{'}} list of the "100 Greatest Baseball Players"<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-almanac.com/legendary/lisn100.shtml |title=Baseball's 100 Greatest Players |work=Baseball Almanac |access-date=November 22, 2013}}</ref>
*1999: Elected to the [[Major League Baseball All-Century Team]].<ref name=AllCenturyTeamBaseballAlmanac>{{cite web|title=All Century Team|publisher=Baseball Almanac|url=https://www.baseball-almanac.com/legendary/limc100.shtml|access-date=November 28, 2011}}</ref>
*2001: Uniform #8 retired by the Baltimore Orioles<ref name="retirement"/>
*2007: Elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame by 98.53% of voters, the highest percentage of votes ever for a position player, as well as third-highest overall.<ref name="HOF election"/>
*2007: Inducted to the Baseball Hall of Fame on July 29 with the San Diego Padres' great [[Tony Gwynn]] in front of a record crowd of 75,000 people<ref name="HOF induction"/>
*Most consecutive games played with 2,632<ref name="streak"/>
*Most consecutive innings played with 8,243<ref name="page 130"/>
*Most home runs by a shortstop with 353<ref name="page 245"/>
*Most double plays by a shortstop in the American League, with 1,682<ref name="defensive double plays"/>
*All-time leader in [[Major League Baseball All-Star Game|MLB All-Star]] fan balloting (36,123,483)<ref name="ironman" />
*Most American League MLB All-Star team selections with 19 – 1983–2001<ref>{{cite news |last=McCarron |first=Anthony |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/yankees/alex-rodriguez-fondly-recalls-2001-all-star-tribute-cal-ripken-jr-article-1.352296 |title=Alex Rodriguez fondly recalls 2001 All-Star tribute to Cal Ripken Jr. |newspaper=New York Daily News |date=July 14, 2008 |access-date=November 22, 2013}}</ref>
*Most MLB All-Star Game appearances at shortstop with 15 – 1983–1996, 2001
*Most consecutive AL All-Star Game starts with 17<ref>{{cite web|url=https://baseballbiography.com/cal-ripken-jr-1960 |title=Cal Ripken Jr. Biography |work=baseballbiography.com |access-date=November 22, 2013 }}</ref>
*Most plate appearances by one player in one game with 15 ([[Longest professional baseball game|Triple-A game]] tied with Tom Eaton and [[Dallas Williams]]).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.milb.com/news/gcs-41224646 |title=A Look Back at Professional Baseball's Longest Game |work=[[Minor League Baseball]] |date=September 4, 2008 |access-date=November 22, 2013}}</ref>

===Baltimore Oriole records===
*Games played: 3,001<ref name="os records">{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/BAL/leaders_bat.shtml |title=Baltimore Orioles Top 10 Batting Leaders |publisher=Sports-Reference, Inc. |work=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=November 22, 2013}}</ref>
*Consecutive games: 2,632<ref name="streak"/>
*At bats: 11,551<ref name="os records"/>
*Hits: 3,184<ref name="os records"/>
*Runs: 1,647<ref name="os records"/>
*RBIs: 1,695<ref name="os records"/>
*Extra base hits: 1,078<ref name="os records"/>
*Doubles: 603<ref name="os records"/>
*Home runs: 431 (Baltimore has had six members of the [[500 home run club]] on its roster, but none have hit more with the Orioles than Ripken)<ref name="os records"/>
*Total bases: 5,168<ref name="os records"/>
*Walks: 1,129<ref name="os records"/>
*Assists: 8,212<ref name="os records"/>
*Double plays: 1,682<ref name="os records"/>

==See also==
{{Portal|Biography|Baseball|Baltimore}}
{{div col}}
*''[[Cal Ripken Jr. Baseball]]'', a 1992 video game
*''[[Cal Ripken's Real Baseball]]'', a 2003 video game
*[[DHL Hometown Heroes]]
*[[List of Major League Baseball annual doubles leaders]]
*[[List of Major League Baseball annual runs scored leaders]]
*[[List of Major League Baseball career doubles leaders]]
*[[List of Major League Baseball career hits leaders]]
*[[List of Major League Baseball career home run leaders]]
*[[List of Major League Baseball career runs batted in leaders]]
*[[List of Major League Baseball career runs scored leaders]]
*[[List of Major League Baseball doubles records]]
*[[List of Major League Baseball individual streaks]]
*[[List of Major League Baseball players to hit for the cycle]]
*[[List of Major League Baseball players who spent their entire career with one franchise]]
*[[List of Major League Baseball single-game hits leaders]]
*[[List of second-generation Major League Baseball players]]
*''[[Season Ticket: A Baseball Companion]]''
{{div col end}}

==References==

===Bibliography===
*{{cite book|last1=Joseph|first1=Paul|last2=Gronvall|first2=Kal|title=Cal Ripken Jr.|publisher=ABDO|location=Minneapolis|year=1997|isbn=978-1-56239-638-1|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oQE-0pIiVJEC&q=cal+ripken+jr}}
*{{cite book|last=Macnow|first=Glen|title=Cal Ripken Jr.: Hall of Fame Baseball Superstar|publisher=Enslow Publishers, Inc.|location=Berkeley Heights, New Jersey|year=2013|isbn=978-1-62285-020-4|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0iGWAgAAQBAJ&q=cal+ripken+jr}}
*{{cite book|last=Rosenfeld|first=Harvey|title=Iron Man: The Cal Ripken Jr., Story|publisher=St. Martin's Press|location=New York|year=1995|isbn=978-0-312-13524-9|url=https://archive.org/details/ironmancalripken00rose}}
*{{cite book|last=Strazzabosco|first=Jeanne|title=Learning about Work Ethic from the Life of Cal Ripken Jr.|publisher=The Rosen Publishing Group|location=New York|year=1999|isbn=978-0-8239-3028-9|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Ta0tX5KU1j0C&q=cal+ripken+jr}}

===Notes===
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
*{{cite book |title=The Streak: Lou Gehrig, Cal Edward Ripken Jr., and Baseball's Most Historic Record |first=John |last=Eisenberg |publisher=[[Houghton Mifflin Harcourt]] |date=2017 |isbn=978-0544107670}}
*{{cite web |url=https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/8bfeadd2 |title=Cal Ripken |first=Jimmy |last=Keenan |website=[[Society for American Baseball Research|SABR]]}}
*{{cite book |title=The Longest Season |last=Ripken |first=Cal Jr. |others=with Kevin Cowherd |publisher=[[Philomel Books]] |date=2007 |isbn=978-0399244926}}
*{{cite book |title=Get in the Game: 8 Elements of Perseverance That Make the Difference |last=Ripken |first=Cal Jr. |others=with Donald T. Phillips |publisher=[[Avery Publishing]] |date=2008 |isbn=978-1592402809 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/getingame8elemen0000ripk}}
*{{cite book |title=Cal Ripken, Jr.'s All-Stars: Hothead |last=Ripken |first=Cal Jr. |others=Ron Mazellan, Illustrator |publisher=[[Hyperion Books for Children]] |date=2011 |isbn=978-1423140009 |url=https://archive.org/details/hotheadnovel00ripk}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Cal Ripken, Jr.|Cal Ripken Jr.}}
{{wikiquote}}
*{{bbhof|ripken-cal}}
*{{Baseballstats|mlb=121222|espn=789|br=r/ripkeca01|fangraphs=1010978|brm=ripken001cal|retro=R/Pripkc001}}
*{{sabrbio|8bfeadd2}}
*[https://www.ripkenbaseball.com/ Ripken Baseball]
*[https://achievement.org/achiever/cal-ripken-jr/ Cal Ripken Jr. Biography and Interview] at [[Academy of Achievement]]
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xu03d9IPG9A Baltimore Orioles posting of record-breaking game on September 6, 1995]

{{s-start}}
{{s-ach|rec}}
{{Succession box |title=Most consecutive Major League Baseball starts |before=[[Lou Gehrig]] |years=1982–1998 |after=''Incumbent''}}
{{s-ach|ach}}
{{Succession box |before=[[Frank White (baseball)|Frank White]] |title=[[Hitting for the cycle]] |years=May 6, 1984 |after=[[Carlton Fisk]]}}
{{S-end}}

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