Top 10 Cal Ripken, Jr. Moments

Posted on Sep 1, 2011 in Top-10's | 1 comment

Cal Ripken, Jr is recognized today as a businessman, public speaker and author but he will always be known as the “Iron Man” of professional baseball. Unlike many current professional athletes, Ripken played for just one team, the Baltimore Orioles, for 21 years. Ripken was named Rookie of the Year in 1982, the American League’s Most Valuable Player in 1983 and 1991, won the Gold Glove twice, hit over 400 homeruns, and won a number of defensive awards. Six years after his retirement Cal Ripken Jr. was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2007.

Since his retirement Ripken has written several books including The Ripken Way: A Manual for Baseball and Life, and Parenting Young Athletes the Ripken Way: Ensuring the Best Experience for Your Kids in Any Sport. Ripken also serves as president and CEO of Ripken Baseball Group, which owns two minor league baseball teams and operates youth camps.
Highlights of a Great Career:

1982 – Ripken started off the season with a homer in his first turn at bat in the first game and went on to hit 28 home runs and win Rookie of the Year. On May 30, 1982 the shortstop embarked on a journey that would later lead him to break Lou Gehrig’s “unbreakable” record of consecutive games played.  He played third base for the first 27 games of the streak before making the move to shortstop.

1983 – Ripken’s second full season marked him being named to the All-Star game for what would eventually be 19 appearances. He ended the season with 27 home runs, 102 RBIs and a batting average of .318. As a result, he was named the Most Valuable Player of the American League.

1987 – It was a standout season for Cal because with his father becoming manager of the Orioles and his brother, Billy, joining him in the lineup. Later that season Cal Jr.’s father took his son out of the game in the 8th inning to end Ripken’s consecutive innings streak at 8,243.

1990 – Although Ripken was probably more widely known for his offensive abilities he was an outstanding defensive shortstop. In 1990, he committed only three errors while playing every game at perhaps the most demanding position in the field. His streaks of 95 games and 431 chances without error set a record for shortstops.

1991 – Ripken’s 1991 season is considered the fourth best in baseball history topped only by Amos Rusie (1984), Walker Johnson (1913) and Babe Ruth (1932). During this banner season Ripken had 114 RBI and 32 home runs. When he appeared in the All-Star Game half way through the season he already had 111 hits and was batting .348. He was named MVP of that game.  More awards would follow at the conclusion of the ’91 season. including his second MVP of the American League, the Louisville Slugger “Silver Slugger Award”, Associated Press Player of the Year Award, and The Sporting News Player of the Year Award.

1995 – September 6, 1995 marked the day the record that couldn’t be broken was. Millions of fans around the world watched on ESPN as Ripken passed Lou Gehrig’s 56-year-old record for consecutive games played at 2,130. That game between the California Angels and the Orioles ranks as one of the most watched games ever. Fans present included President Bill Clinton who called his fourth inning homer on WBAL radio. When the game became official after the top of the fifth inning, the crowd responded with a  22-minute standing ovation that culminated with an impromptu celebration lap around the field shaking hands with fans along the wall all the way around the stadium.

1996 – A less reported but nevertheless impressive record was set in Kansas City when Ripken surpassed the 2,216 consecutive games of Sachio Kinugasa of Japan. The Japanese great was there to watch the game. In that same year, Ripken was moved to third base for the first time since his rookie season. It marked the first time that someone else had started a game at shortstop for the Orioles since the 1982 season.  Cito Gaston, manager of the Toronto Blue Jays had lead off hitter Otis Nixon attempt a bunt to test Ripken to start the game. Nixon fouled off his first two attempts, but despite the fear of a strikeout on a third strike foul ball on a bunt attempt, Gaston had the speedy runner try once again. When he sent it down the line foul once again for the strikeout, Ripken looked into the dugout at Gaston and the two smiled at the foiled attempt to test him at his new position.

1998 – Ripken decided not to start the final home game of the season and ended his streak his way at 2,632 games – 502 more than Gehrig. He later said that he wanted to end the streak at the end of the season to avoid any future distractions centered around his playing status.

1999 – He would go on the disabled list for the first time in his career, but still played in 86 games and hit his 400^th career home run. He would be honored with a selection to baseball’s All-Century Team.

2001 – After his announcement this would be his last season Ripken was later voted into his last All-Star Game. Alex Rodriguez then asked Ripken to trade positions so the great could start the game at shortstop. Ripken made his first appearance at bat in the third inning and hit a home run on the first pitch offered up to him. That day he became one of only four players in history to be named All Star Game MVP more than once.

Cal Ripken’s contributions to the game of baseball continue today through his work with his Ripken Baseball Group.  His contributions to the game of baseball are numerous and with 3,184 hits, 431 home runs and 19 straight All-Star appearances marking his Hall of Fame career, he will be remembered most for an incredible evening in Baltimore on September 6, 1995 that will forever be a special moment in sports history.