Cal Ripken Jr.
| 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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Cal Ripken was the 1982 Rookie of the Year Award then the '83 American League MVP
Cal Ripken was the 1982 Rookie of the Year Award then the '83 American League MVP
Who could have envisioned the greatness Cal Ripken Jr. achieved at the time this card was printed? A future star in this card, he was soon one of baseball’s most recognizable stars.
The 1982 Rookie of the Year, Ripken tallied 28 homers and 98 RBI in his first full season. His next campaign included league-leading numbers in hits (211), runs (121), doubles (47). Those totals along with a .318 average and a .517 slugging percentage earned him the AL MVP Award.
It didn’t take long for Cal to fulfill his potential.
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.
After his Rookie of the Year season, Ripken made 19 straight All Star teams
After his Rookie of the Year season, Ripken made 19 straight All Star teams
After winning the Rookie of the Year Award in 1982, Cal Ripken reeled off 19 consecutive All Star selections. Only Henry Aaron (21), Willie Mays (20), and Stan Musial (20) had more seasons as All Stars.
Twice Ripken was the Mid Summer Classic MVP. The first time came in 1991 when he went 2-for-3 with a home run and three runs batted in. His second All Star MVP came in his final All Star appearance in 2001 when his third-inning homer broke a scoreless tie.
Shown here is a Topps Chewing Gum contract extension. Dated June 10th, 1988 it calls for Cal Ripken to appear on Topps baseball cards through the 1992 season.
The day the contract was signed Ripken went 2-for-4 with a walk and two runs scored in a 5-3 Orioles loss to the Yankees.
In the 2001 All Star Game Alex Rodriguez switched to third base so Ripken could play short
In the 2001 All Star Game Alex Rodriguez switched to third base so Ripken could play short
The 2001 All Star Game was the most memorable of Cal Ripken’s 19 appearances. He took the field at third base with Alex Rodriguez at shortstop. A-Rod pushed Cal over to short to play his final Mid Summer Classic at the position where he broke in.
Though Ripken resited, AL skipper Joe Torre waved his arm, motioning Cal to short. As the scene unfolded, the 47,365 at Seattle’s Safeco Field rose and gave the two men a rousing ovation.
Soon there was even more excitement.
As he came up for his first at bat the fans greeted him with a long standing ovation. Ripken quickly gave the fans and the national television audience another iconic moment.
On the first pitch Ripken slammed a Chan Ho Park fastball over the left field wall to break a scoreless tie. The crowd responded with relentless adoration. His efforts he was named the game’s Most Valuable Player.
In the collection is am autographed scouting report for Alex Rodrigez from August, 1994. It was an 18-year old A-Rod who Dodger scout Nate Oliver assesses as a future superstar.
Oliver writes, “Alex has great body, strong good looking kid on a 6’3” frame. He has good instincts for a young kid. He possess a very strong accurate arm. Along with very good spd. for a kid of that size. He showed some power and great poise with a great attitude for a 18-year old kid. WHAT A FUTURE — WOW!!!
Oliver suggests that the Dodgers acquire him. An interesting aside to the story is that Los Angeles had the second pick in the draft in 1993, the year Rodriguez was selected first overall. The team drafted pitcher Darren Dreifort.
Cal Ripken played in every game from May 30, 1982 to September 19, 1998
Cal Ripken played in every game from May 30, 1982 to September 19, 1998
Cal Ripken’s decorated career includes a pair of both regular-season and All Star MVP Awards. The 19-time All Star also claimed the 1982 Rookie of the Year Award, the 1983 World Series championship, two Gold Gloves, and eight Silver Sluggers.
Despite all the accolades, he’s best remembered for his Iron Man streak.
From May 30th, 1982 through September 19, 1998 Ripken played in 2,632 consecutive games. By doing so, he broke Lou Gehrig’s 2,130-game streak to stand as the game’s all-time most durable player.
This lineup card from June 6, 1989 pencils in his familiar #3 spot in the order. 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 ten gamer came to a halt as Dave LaPoint and Dave Righetti combined to hold the Iron Man hitless in four at bats.
The card is signed at the bottom by then-Orioles skipper Frank Robinson.
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 of the sellout crowd.
In the collection is a questionnaire from Boskie about his experience. What does Boskie remember about that historic evening? “The amazing amount of energy in the stadium that night. I will never forget the flashes from cameras.
“I was still in ‘game mode” somewhat so I just tried to watch it and not forget that I was witness to history.
“Can’t overstate how important that night and specifically to Cal, were to the game. We were all amazed he got that far.”
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 appreciation for something I know will never be repeated,” writes Morrison. “I was impressed how the visiting team (Angels) were willing to let the celebrating and festivities to continue to go on during the game. They were truly ‘caught up’ in the moment also.”
On 4/15/2000 Ripken joined Carl Yastrzemski as the only AL hitters with 3,000 hits and 400 homers
On 4/15/2000 Ripken joined Carl Yastrzemski as the only AL hitters with 3,000 hits and 400 homers
Cal Ripken is one of the greatest American Leaguers in history. His 3,184 hits, 431 homers, and a 95.9 WAR are truly elite. Few were better.
On April 15, 2000 Cal recorded his 3,000th career hit. With 404 dingers already in the bank, he joined Carl Yastrzemski as the only players to amass 3,000 hits and 400 homers in Junior Circuit play.
Shown here is a ticket granting a lucky fan into the September 12, 1979 contest when Yaz joined the 3,000-hit club.
In 2015 Alex Rodriguez not only joined the 3,000/400 club, he established a new American League standard. With 692 homers to his credit, A-Rod remains the only AL slugger with 3,000 hits and as many as 500 home runs.
In the latter part of his career Cal Ripken moved up on the all-time leaderboard
In the latter part of his career Cal Ripken moved up on the all-time leaderboard
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.
Late in his career, Ripken reached many career milestones, passing the game’s greatest players along the way. On April 15, 2000 Ripken joined the exclusive 3,000-hit club in his 2,800th career game.
Ten days later he recorded his 3,008th career hit to pass Baltimore native Kaline on the all-time hits list. On this special night only 11,658 fans were on hand in Chicago to witness the Iron Man pass the Detroit hero.
In the collection is the lineup card from the night the Oriole passed the Tiger. It is filled out and signed by Baltimore manager Mike Hargrove.
Ripken will forever be linked to the man whose record he broke - Lou Gehrig
Ripken will forever be linked to the man whose record he broke - Lou Gehrig
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. Cal Ripken passed it on September 6, 1995 and kept right on going until he played in 2,632 straight games — that’s three more seasons of never missing a game.
The two men will forever be linked.
A Marylander through-and-through, Cal was inducted into the state's Athletic Hall of Fame in 2005
A Marylander through-and-through, Cal was inducted into the state's Athletic Hall of Fame in 2005
Born and raised in Maryland, Cal Ripken Jr. stayed in state for all 22 of his big league seasons. One of the greatest players in the history of the Baltimore Orioles, Ripken is beloved throughout the state. In 2005 Maryland bestowed upon Cal its highest athletic honor, inducting him into the Maryland Athletic Hall of Fame. Ripken’s selection came two years before he recieved his Cooperstown plaque.
Shown here is a letter from Sam Sibler, the chairman of the Maryland Athletic Hall of Fame. In the October 26, 1962 correspondence Sibler informs 16-year MLB vet Bill Nicholson of his selection for the state’s honor.
Nicholson was a four-time National League All Star. Twice he led the Senior Circuit in home runs and RBI. With three 6.0 WAR campaigns, Nicholson’s career WAR stands at 41.9. He earned votes in MVP balloting five seasons, and finished in the top three for the award in 1943 and 1944.
Nicholson’s career 132 OPS+ is equal to Cooperstown’s Tony Gwynn, Rafael Palmeiro, and one point higher than Rod Carew, and Wade Boggs. He left the game with 1,484 career hits, 235 dingers, and 948 RBI.
This is very cool. Cal was my favorite baseball player and helped solidify my love of the game
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.