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'''Calvin Edwin Ripken Jr.''' (born August 24, 1960), nicknamed "'''[[Iron man (sports streak)|
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]].
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 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 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]].▼
In [[2007 Baseball Hall of Fame balloting|2007]], he was elected to the [[National Baseball Hall of Fame]] in his first year of eligibility with 98.53% of votes, the sixth-highest election percentage ever to-date.
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 (345), breaking the record 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. 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>▼
▲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
==Early life==
Ripken was born 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. 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. 19–20</ref>
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==Minor league career==
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>
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>
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===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://
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://
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://
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://
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://
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://
==Charity==
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|Year = 2001
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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://
[[File:Cal Ripken, Jr sitting at Camden Yards Aug 2007.jpg|thumb|upright|Ripken (left) is honored by the Orioles in 2007]]
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=http://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 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>
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: "... 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=
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>
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==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://
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. 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"/>
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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 | 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"/>
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> 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://
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>}}
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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]] (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://
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>
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==Personal life==
In 2018 Ripken married his wife, Laura, née Kaufman, who is an Appellate Court of Maryland Judge. They have four children between them and reside in Annapolis, Maryland. <ref>{{Cite news |last=Polus |first=Sarah |date=2018-10-12 |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=2024-06-17 |work=Washington Post |language=en-US |issn=0190-8286}}</ref>
Ripken married the former Kelly Geer at [[Towson United Methodist Church]] on Friday, November 13, 1987.<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 his wife Kelly 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 S. Kiessling, née Kaufman, at that time an Anne Arundel County [[Maryland Circuit Courts|Circuit Court]] judge. She took his last name.<ref>{{cite news |title=Orioles Hall of Famer Cal Ripken Jr. marries Anne Arundel County judge |url=http://www.capitalgazette.com/lifestyle/ac-cn-ripken-wedding-20181012-story.html |access-date=October 12, 2018 |work=[[The Capital]] |date=October 12, 2018}}</ref>▼
▲Formerly, Ripken was married
[[File:Ryan Ripken (27590479964).jpg|thumb|upright=0.75|Ryan Ripken batting for the [[Auburn Doubledays]] in 2016]]
His son Ryan
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=http://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'd 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=2024-09-02 |website=Peoplemag |language=en}}</ref>.
Ripken has written nearly thirty books.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.goodreads.com/author/list/89972.Cal_Ripken_Jr_ |title=Books by Cal Ripken Jr. |work=goodreads.com |access-date=May 5, 2014}}</ref> 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 ... 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 |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>▼
▲Ripken has written nearly thirty books.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.goodreads.com/author/list/89972.Cal_Ripken_Jr_ |title=Books by Cal Ripken Jr. |work=goodreads.com |access-date=May 5, 2014}}</ref> 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 ... 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
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=
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=http://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>
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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|url=New owners official for GreenJackets|first=David|last=Lee|work=August Chronicle|date=May 13, 2013|accessdate=June 1, 2024}}</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 million with $7 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=31 January 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=31 January 2024 |work=The Baltimore Banner |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Trister |first1=Noah |date=31 January 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=31 January 2024 |work=AP News |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Kostka |first1=Andy |date=31 January 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=31 January 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=31 January 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=31 January 2024 |work=The Baltimore Banner |language=en}}</ref> By March 2024 Ripken agrees to serve as an advisor with the team.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rill |first=Jake |date=2024-03-28 |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=2024-08-24 |website=MLB.com |language=en}}</ref>
==Awards and records==
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|''[[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://
|-
|Associated Press "[[Associated Press Athlete of the Year|Athlete of the Year]]"
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{{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]]
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{{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}}
*[http://www.ripkenbaseball.com/ Ripken Baseball]
*[https://achievement.org/achiever/cal-ripken-jr/ Cal Ripken
*[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
{{s-ach|ach}}
{{Succession box |before=[[Frank White (baseball)|Frank White]] |title=[[Hitting for the cycle]] |years=May 6, 1984 |after=[[Carlton Fisk]]}}
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{{Lou Gehrig Memorial Award}}
{{Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year navbox}}
{{
{{Sporting News MLB Player of the Year Award}}
{{ESPY Male Athlete}}
{{SI Sportsman of the Year}}
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[[Category:American people of German descent]]
[[Category:American people of Irish descent]]
[[Category:20th-century American sportsmen]]
[[Category:Baltimore Orioles players]]
[[Category:Baseball players from Harford County, Maryland]]
[[Category:Bluefield Orioles players]]
[[Category:Charlotte O's players]]
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