"Ripken has stated that he never felt comfortable being compared to Gehrig. Against the During the 1988 season, Ripken had signed a three-year contract with an option for a fourth year, preventing him from being a Ripken slumped offensively in 1990, batting .209 through his first 59 games.Ripken won his second AL MVP award, his first Gold Glove Award, the During the 1992 season, Ripken and the Orioles tried to work out a new contract.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.Ripken's average fell to .262 in 1995; he hit 17 home runs and had 88 RBIs.Ripken received a standing ovation from the crowd, the opposing players, and all four 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. He holds the record for most home runs hit as a shortstop (345), breaking the record previously held by To begin Ripken's minor league career, the Orioles assigned him to the Ripken began 1980 with Charlotte.

The Orioles announced they wanted someone with many years of experience for the job, but they went with Joe Altobelli instead. His propensity to drive the ball often led to his grounders getting to fielders quickly for tailor-made double-play balls. People not only showed me their kindness, but more importantly, they demonstrated their love of the game of baseball. Calvin Edwin Ripken, Sr. (December 17, 1935 – March 25, 1999) was a coach and manager in Major League Baseball who spent 36 years in the Baltimore Orioles organization, also as a player and scout.

This is the greatest place to play.

Tonight, I want to make sure you know how I feel. I don’t deserve that credit. His first experience as manager came in 1961, when he succeeded In 1976, Ripken finally reached the major leagues when the Orioles named him their bullpen coach.In 1981, Ripken got to coach his own son as Cal Jr. reached the major leagues. He is remembered for helping bring about "The Oriole Way", Baltimore's tradition of excellence.Ripken was married to Violet ("Vi"), whom he met in high school.Violet Ripken was kidnapped at gunpoint and safely returned on July 24, 2012. Ripken was humble about his success, once saying, Author Glen Macnow responded to Ripken's comments by writing, "Anyone who has seen Cal Ripken Jr., play knows differently. 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. In 1995, Harvey Rosenfeld released a biography on him entitled Ripken owns several minor league baseball teams.

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.

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. Power hitting shortstops such as 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.Ripken's power, which led to records such as most home runs by a shortstop and 13th place in career doubles, had consequences.

Although he had a successful 14-year career, Cal Sr. will always be remembered for his love of the game and coining phrases like "Practice doesn't make perfect.Perfect practice makes perfect."

When Cal Ripken Jr. retired in 2001, there was an overwhelming sentiment about his future: No matter what he did post-playing career, baseball's Iron Man would be successful.

During the ovation, Ripken did a lap around the entire Camden Yards warning track to shake hands and give high-fives to the fans. Ripken Sr. was offered another job within the organization but instead retired. 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.

Ripken's final game was originally set to be played at Throughout his career, Ripken has contributed his time and money to numerous charitable organizations.

Over the next 37 years, he represented the Orioles as a player, coach, and manager. "His son Ryan is also a baseball player, and was drafted by the Orioles in the 20th round of Ripken's mother, Violet Ripken, was kidnapped at gunpoint and safely returned on July 24, 2012. I've been cheered in ballparks all over the country. On June 14, 1985, Ripken managed his son for the first time. After 1982, Weaver retired, and Ripken hoped to be a candidate for the managerial position. The Orioles announced they wanted someone with many years of experience for the job, but they went with Immediately following the 1986 season, Weaver retired for good, and Ripken was named manager of the Orioles.Ripken stressed "patience" to begin the 1988 season, saying, "We can't just go from the bottom to the top in the snap of a finger ... Have patience and stick with the Birds and root for the Birds. 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. 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. She was gone for 12 hours before her disappearance was reported to authorities.In addition to his writing, Ripken has been the subject of several books. Calvin Edwin “Cal” Ripken was born on August 24, 1960, in Havre De Grace, Maryland and was raised in nearby Aberdeen. Cal Ripken Sr. - Biography.