Cal Ripken Jr.

Cal Ripken
Birthdate 8/24/1960
Death Date
Debut Year 1981
Year of Induction 2007
Teams Orioles
Positions Shortstop, Third Base

Cal Ripken Jr. was drafted by the Orioles in the 2nd round of the 1978 draft on a pick Boston forfeited in the reentry draft by selecting Dick Drago.

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In the collection:

Ripken hit a homer off of Shawn Boskie the night he broke the streak; here's what Boskie recalls

Ripken hit a homer off of Shawn Boskie the night he broke the streak; here's what Boskie recalls

Angel pitcher Shawn Boskie had the unenviable task of starting the game on September 6, 1995 when Cal Ripken Jr. broke Lou Gehrig’s consecutive games streak. In game 2,131 Boskie and the Angels were tied 1-1 until the bottom of the fourth when Ripken blasted a two-run homer much to the delight
Second base umpire, Dan Morrison, recounts the night Ripken broke Gehrig's streak

Second base umpire, Dan Morrison, recounts the night Ripken broke Gehrig's streak

Lou Gehrig’s record stood from 1939 until 1995. The night it was broken, Dan Morrison was the second base umpire. When the game became official, the crowd gave Cal a prolonged standing ovation. “To be quite honest, I had tears in my eyes watching how a city and an individual could show
Autograph of the man whose streak Ripken shattered

Autograph of the man whose streak Ripken shattered

In the collection is a photo signed by the Iron Horse Lou Gehrig joining forces with Hall of Fame catcher to argue a call with umpire Cal Hubbard, the only man inducted into both the baseball and football Halls of Fame. Gehrig set what was thought to be an unbreakable record of 2,130 consecutive games played. Ripken passed it on September 6, 1995 and
Cal Ripken passed Al Kaline on the all-time hit list on 4/25/2000; this is Oriole manager Mike Hargrove's lineup card

Cal Ripken passed Al Kaline on the all-time hit list on 4/25/2000; this is Oriole manager Mike Hargrove's lineup card

Cal Ripken played 21 big league seasons, all with the Baltimore Orioles. Of the Major Leaguers who suited up for just one team, only five had a longer tenure – Brooks Robinson and Carl Yastrzemski with 23 years each, and Al Kaline, Stan Musial, and Mel Ott with 22 years.
Lineup card from the streak signed by manager Frank Robinson

Lineup card from the streak signed by manager Frank Robinson

The lineup card that pencils in his familiar #3 spot in the order is from June 6, 1989. Ripken was working on a ten-game hit streak at the start of the game. He had gone 17-for-47 in the ten-game span, hitting .361 with 12 runs, 8 RBI, 5 extra base hits, and four walks. Though Cal did extend his consecutive games streak on this day to 1142, the modest
Cal Ripken Jr.'s Topps contract extension for 1988-1991

Cal Ripken Jr.'s Topps contract extension for 1988-1991

Topps extended Cal Ripken Jr.’s contract for $75 per season. Cal signed this on June 10th, 1988 the day he went 2-for-4 with a walk and two runs scored in a 5-3 Orioles loss to the Yankees. Ripken was an all star each season though the length of the deal which expired in 1991. The final season of the deal Ripken earned his second
Autographed Cal Ripken 1982 Topps rookie card

Autographed Cal Ripken 1982 Topps rookie card

Who could have envisioned the greatness Cal Ripken Jr. achieved at the time this card was printed? Pictured here is Topps rookie card from 1982 that features three “Future Stars” of the Baltimore Orioles — Bob Bonner, Jeff Schneider, and Ripken. Cal has boldly autographed the center of the near his picture.

2 responses to “Cal Ripken Jr.”

  1. Greg says:

    This is very cool. Cal was my favorite baseball player and helped solidify my love of the game

  2. There was talk that Ripken was a selfish player who , by not sitting out and resting when he was not being productive etc , cost the Orioles any number of wins- even including perhaps a playoff appearance.

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