There's a saying that figures don't lie, and Cal Ripken, Jr's career stats, (.278 with the Dark Knight, 402 dingers, 1,571 ribeyes, AL Rookie of the year 1982, AL MVP in '83 & '91, Gold Glove in 1991 & '92, seventeen consecutive All-Star starts, {the last three at third base}, and the most prolific four-bagger in shortstop history) suggest a workmanlike ballplayer you can rely on.
That perception is proven when you consider Cal's greatest achievement was his 2,632 consecutive game record (surpassing legendary Yankee Lou Gehrig), commonly known as "The Streak".
The hype surrounding "The Streak" was acknowledged as baseball's saviour after the debilitating strikes of 1994. However, when Cal went through prolonged whiffs of the cheese, critics were quick to blame his obsession with "Mount Gehrig", claiming it clouded his judgement.
Despite his success, Cal regarded himself as just a normal guy. Even during the height of "The Streak" phenomonem, his down-to-earth nature remained intact.
When Cal started to arrange his own transport to ballparks, critics pounded him for his lack of team spirit. Cal, whose approach to the game was extremely analytical, believed his solo journeys helped him focus on the game, and he made sure it didn't disrupt team harmony.
Cal was a devoted family man, who, during his many autograph sessions, told fans about his domestic trials and tribulations. He hoped that by talking about something his fans could relate to, he would appear "ordinary" in their eyes. While he looked up to his heroes, Cal didn't believe his "modest fame" (as he called it), changed him as a person. However, he realized others looked him upon as a role model.
A perfect example of Cal's unassuming nature was demonstrated on the night of September 6, 1995. That night, against Anaheim at Camden Yards, when he surpassed the "Larrupin' Lou" as Baseball's new Ironman, or, as some called him, Ironbird. Wanting to play well, not just for himself, but also for the team and the Oriole faithful, he hit a tater off Shawn Boskie in the fourth (to help Baltimore win 4-2), before being honoured in a twenty-two minute ovation once the game became official. He took the opportunity to thank the people who never lost faith in the number eight, with a lap around the stadium. Driving home after the match, Cal's post-mortem with wife Kelly was simple: KELLY: "Big night at the ballpark, huh?" CAL: "Sure was"
Cal's strong values were established by being part of a large, close-knit family. Cal spent his formative years travelling with his family to wherever Cal Sr, a professional ballplayer, was playing. The years spent living out of each others pockets made Cal determined to provide his kids, Rachael and Ryan, with the stable lifestyle he was denied. This factor, along with his passion for the orange-and-black, contributed to Cal resisting lucrative offers to play elsewhere.
Cal had enormous respect for his father, an old-fashioned man, who instilled in his kids the value of hard work and didn't put pressure on them to follow in his footsteps, insisting that they should do what they enjoyed. In turn, they called him "Senior" out of respect.
This respect was evident when Senior coached the Orioles in 1987, (replacing Earl Weaver), with both Cal and brother Billy, (who played second base) at the helm. There was no favouritism evident and Senior was the one who ended Cal's consecutive innings streak. Cal was burnt when Senior was sacked after just six games in 1988 (with a 68-101 record), as was Billy, who moved to the Texas Rangers in 1993.
Another example of the strong father-son relationship was the way Cal responded after Senior succumbed to lung cancer in March 1999. Besieged by back problems, Cal averaged a career-best .340 in 86 games.
Now in retirement, Cal runs "Ripken Baseball" with brother Billy in Aberdeen. Among other things, it fosters youth baseball, with "Mini Camps" and the "Cal Ripken World Series", which features fifteen teams from across the world, consisting of eleven to twelve year olds. Cal's willingness, not only to stay in Baltimore, but to also play an active part in the development of the game he loves, should be commended.
In an era where winning is top priority and coaches and players are dispensable, Cal's old-fashioned values, down-to-earth attitude, and passion for the game is a refreshing example of how all sports, not just baseball, should be played.
Yep, Cal Ripken, Jr -- my kinda guy.
» Andrew Pelechaty is a 21-year old freelance writer who loves most sports, especially Cricket, Australian Rules Football, American Football and Baseball. His ambition is to be a sportswriter.
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Posted May 28, 2003.
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