Cal Riken Jr.

  In 1995, Ripken received Sports Illustrated and The Sporting News Sportsman of the Year Awards.

  On May 28, 1996, Ripken enjoyed his first career three-homer game and collected a career-high eight RBI in a 12-8 win at Seattle.

  The next day, Ripken hit his 334th career home run, moving past Eddie Murray for first-place on the Orioles' all-time list.

  In 1996, Ripken received ESPY awards for Male Athlete of the Year and Showstopper of the Year.

  In June 1996, Ripken played in his 2216th consecutive game in a 6-1 win at Kansas City, setting a new consecutive games world record. The previous mark of 2,215 was held by third baseman Sachio Kinugasa who played with the Hiroshima Carp in Japan's Central League.

  On July 15th 1996, Ripken started at third base for the first time since June 30th 1982. He had made 2,216 consecutive starts at shortstop, a major league record at any position.

  There were a few close calls that almost brought the streak to an end. In the middle of the 1997 season, back spasms nearly forced Ripken to sit out a game in Anaheim. But he played in pain, hit the game-winning home run and kept the streak intact through the end of the season.

  In 1997, Ripken moved from shortstop to third base amid quite a lot of controversy.

  On September 20th 1998, at the Orioles last home game of the 1998 season, Ripken voluntarily removed himself from the Baltimore line-up and ended the games played streak at 2,632 games.

  On June 13th 1999  he produced the first six-hit game in Orioles history during a nationally televised Sunday night contest. The performance saw him blast two home runs and tie a club record with 13 total bases.

  On 2nd September 1999, Cal Ripken Jr. became the 29th player in MLB history to hit 400 home runs. The historic home run came in the third innings of a game against the Devil Rays. Ripken blasted a Rolano Arrojo pitch into the leftfield seats at Camden Yards.

  In 1999, Cal Ripken was Named as the All-Century Team shortstop.

  In 1999, Babe Ruth League Inc. changed the name of its largest division (5-12 year-olds) from Bambino to Cal Ripken Baseball. Presently over 600,000 youngsters play Cal Ripken Baseball worldwide.

  On 15th April 2000, Ripken once again entered the history books with his 3000th MLB hit. The hit came in the eighth innings against the Twins as Ripken lined a high fast ball up the middle off reliever Hector Carrasco. When Ripken reached first base, the first one to congratulate him was long time friend and first base coach, Eddie Murray.

  On June 19, 2001 he announced he would retire at the end of the season, citing his desire to work with youth and be with his family.

  During his career, Ripken played in 3,001 games. He had 3,184 hits, 431 home runs and made more All-Star starts than any other player before him.

  The line-drive hitting right-hander topped 20 home runs in 10 straight seasons and 100 RBIs four times.

  At the time of Ripken's retirement, no shortstop in the Hall of Fame had a career fielding percentage as high as Ripken's (.977). Lou Boudreau was closest at .973.

  Ripken is one of only five Orioles to have played every game in a season, joining Brooks Robinson, Eddie Murray, Billy Gardner and Bobby Grich.

  During his career, Ripken played more games at shortstop than any other Oriole. Only Brooks Robinson played more games with the Orioles at any other position: third base.

Ripken enjoys a joke with long time pal, Eddie Murray.

  During his streak, Ripken exited early from 58 games. He was ejected twice for arguing strike calls in the first inning.

  Ripken left a game voluntarily before the seventh inning four times during the streak. Gehrig left early 69 times.

  During his time as the Orioles shortstop, Cal played along-side a total of  26 second basemen and 34 third basemen.

  Cal and Bill Ripken were the fifth set of brothers in major league history to form a second base-shortstop duo.

  Cal and Bill Ripken played in 663 games together. They started 634 games and turned 287 double plays.

  Cal was the 14th Oriole player to wear the number 8.

  Ripken won the most valuable player Oriole award four times: in 1983, 1990 and 1991. He shared the award with Eddie Murray in 1988. He also  finished second four times (1985, 1986, 1989, 1993) and third three times (1982, 1984, 1987).

  Throughout his career, Ripken remained tremendously popular with the fans, playing in 19 consecutive All-Star games, 17 as a starter.

  During the streak, as Cal Ripken reported for duty every day, a total of 3695 other players went on the disabled list.

  Ripken won Gold Gloves in 1991 and 1992 and was named AL MVP in 1991 and 1983, the last year the Orioles won the World Series.

  Ripken was named All-Star game MVP on two occasions, 1991 and 2001.

  On September 1996, at New York, in the 2nd game of the doubleheader he smacked his 483rd career double, passing Brooks Robinson for the most in Orioles history.

  During the streak Ripken committed two-hundred errors at shortstop while opposing shortstops committed two-hundred and ninety-seven errors.

  When Cal Ripken Jr. played his last game on Saturday 6th October 2001, it meant that  for the first time since 1956, the Orioles would be devoid of the name, Ripken.

  Ripken now lives in Maryland with his wife Kelly and two children, Rachel and Ryan.

Part 2

"I admire him not only for his talent, but for his constant determination day in and day out. He's been loyal to his team, his fans, the community and professional sports every phase of his career. His determination and talent has been great for baseball and America." President Bill Clinton

"It is extremely impressive that Cal was able to do something like this while playing shortstop. You have to have size and strength, which he obviously has, you have to have skill and you have to have some luck. I have always thought that shortstops were the best athletes on the field and this just reconfirms that." Former St. Louis Cardinals shortstop Ozzie Smith

"Cal Ripken Jr. is a bridge, maybe the last bridge, back to the way the game was played. Hitting home runs and all that other good stuff is not enough. It's how you handle yourself in all the good times and bad times that matters. That's what Cal showed us. Being a star is not enough. He showed us how to be more." New York Yankees Manager, Joe Torre

"Cal's (Ripken, Jr.) meant a lot to baseball with his streak. He's been almost like the ambassador for the game." CY Young Winner, Randy Johnson

"Every time we see a legend leave the game like Cal Ripken Jr., it's a great example. It's a great example for a guy to follow. For him to make this decision, especially the way he loves the game, is something that for him is very painful right now. He is the man. He is the man." Chicago Cubs slugger, Sammy Sosa

"He was a pioneer in many ways. The most underrated thing about him was his defence. The year he went out and made three errors and led the league in double plays, that was awesome. He'll be remembered more for his home runs, RBI and games played, but his defence was something." New York Yankees 3rd baseman, Alex Rodriguez

"He was the one player I enjoyed playing with and learned more from than just about any player. Just the way he approached the game, especially during times he was under stress with the streak; the way he handled that and prepared for each game even with all the ups and downs you go through. You watch a player like that and you can't help but admire him."  Former Oriole team-mate, Rafael Palmeiro

"No one's ever had that aura like he had it. No one's ever done it the way he did it, in every way." MLB pitcher, Curt Schilling

"One thing people have to understand is that the second half of an athlete's life is a lot longer than the first half. There are times when you have to move on. You can't stay and play sports your whole life. There never will be another Cal Ripken Jr." Former MLB slugger Mark McGwire

"There are certain people who, when they ask you to do something, you mark it on your calendar. He would be one of them. I hope this is the way he wants to go out. Certain players, you let them go out the way they want to." Cincinnati Reds outfielder, Ken Griffey, Jr.

"There are only a couple of people in the game who could do that: step out of the box, thank the fans for their ovation, get back in there, regain concentration for a split second and then hit a 93 mph fastball over the left-centre field fence. It was unbelievable." Former Padres batting champ, Tony Gwynn

"You have inspired many team-mates. You have delighted millions of fans. You have given the nation uncountable memories. Your pride in and love for the game are at a level few others will reach. We are thrilled to play beside him today, and for enabling us to share this wonderful moment in time." Former team-mate Brady Anderson

"Unbelievable. I think the thing that comes to my mind is that I can look back and say I played during that incredible stretch, during that streak of his. I'll be able to tell my grandchildren that." Detroit Tigers legend, Alan Trammell

"Wherever my former team-mate, Lou Gehrig, is today, I'm sure he's tipping his cap to you, Cal Ripken, Jr.  You certainly deserve this lasting tribute." New York Yankee legend, Joe DiMaggio

"I've never come in contact with a player with such a thorough knowledge of the game ... never. He has a presence, but he is also approachable. You can learn by asking or simply by watching.  If you did neither, whose fault is that?" Florida Marlins outfielder, Jeff Conine

"He's one of the greatest ambassadors of the game we have ever seen. He's a great role model. He's a role model for baseball but also for the entire population." Texas Rangers owner, Tom Hicks

"God has given him great health and a great work ethic and he has been lucky enough to avoid the kinds of problems that could have very easily ended the streak. Will this record ever be broken again? Well, I know I sure won't be around to see it if it ever is." Hall of Fame announcer Ernie Harwell

"It's one of the great achievements in the history of sports. Cal Ripken embodies all that the Orioles stand for, all that Baltimore stands for and, really, all that this country stands for in terms of his dedication and work ethic." Baltimore Orioles owner Peter Angelos

As Cal Ripken's career began to wind down in the late 1990s and 2000, he still had a few milestones to achieve. On 2nd September 1999, only two days after returning from a month on the disabled list, Cal Ripken Jr. became the 29th player in MLB history to hit 400 home runs. The historic home run came in the third innings when Ripken blasted a Rolano Arrojo pitch into the left field seats at Camden Yards. Ripken's home run helped the Orioles to an 11-6 victory over the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.

Then, early in the following season, on 15th April 2000, Ripken once again entered the history books with his 3000th MLB hit. The hit came in the eighth innings against the Twins as Ripken lined a high fast ball up the middle off reliever Hector Carrasco. When Ripken reached first base, the first one to congratulate him was long time friend and first base coach, Eddie Murray. Ripken singled three times during the Orioles 6-4 victory.

Ripken became only the 7th player in MLB history to achieve the 400 home runs and 3000 hits double. The others were Hank Aaron, Willie Mays, Eddie Murray, Stan Musial, Dave Winfield and Carl Yastrzemski. Pretty elite company!

2nd September 1999 400th home run	25th April 2000 3000th hit

Finally, after months of speculation, Cal Ripken Jr. announced on 19th June 2001 that he would retire at the end of the season. Ironically, the announcement came on the 98th anniversary of Lou Gehrig's birth. In a prepared statement, Ripken announced, "My career has been unbelievable. I've experienced a lot of different things, the euphoria of winning a championship and also the extreme frustration of going 0-21 [to start the 1988 season] and losing 100 games and going through a torturous rebuilding process. But when I look back on my life, I've always wanted to be a baseball player. I've spent every bit of my energy trying to be a baseball player. I was lucky enough to make it, lucky enough to play in the city I wanted to play in and had this long career."

When Baseball recommenced after the disastrous 1994-95 labour strike, fans turned away from the game in their thousands. Attendances dropped twenty percent and baseball was at one of its lowest points in decades.

To suggest that Cal Ripken Jr. single-handedly saved baseball would be a gross over simplification of the problems facing baseball at the time. However, baseball needed miracles; it needed heroes who could give the game back to the people. And one of the heroes who emerged during 1995, was Cal Ripken Jr.
 

As Ripken approached Lou Gehrig's magical 2130 consecutive games record, the hype and publicity that was stirred up by the media did much to win back some of the disenchanted fans who had turned their backs on the game. The fans could easily identify with the Ripken philosophy. They admired his endurance, integrity, courage, reliability and work ethic. And they adored his sense of theatre and timing. Home runs in game number 2030 and game 2031 added great drama and excitement to the occasion.

Baseball players, and athletes of all sports, are often criticised for taking a lot out of the game without giving much back in return. This is certainly untrue in the case of Cal Ripken Jr. Few players in the Major Leagues connected to people better than Ripken, and few players did as much in the community.
 

It could also be said that Ripken had other positive influences on the game of baseball. There is little doubt that he played a pivotal role in redefining the position of shortstop. His success helped pave the way for the taller, stronger power-hitting shortstops such as Alex Rodriguez, Derek Jeter and Nomar Garciaparra.

When all is said and done, one thing remains certain. Out of the gloom and darkness of the 1994-95 player dispute, Cal Ripken emerged as baseball's most respected, most idolized and most marketed player of his generation. No player better commanded centre stage nor left a more lasting and glossier impression than Cal Ripken Jr. He was universally admired by his peers and embraced by sports fans in every city. He was arguably the most recognizable and respected players of his generation

Sports Card World acknowledges this fact and congratulates Cal on a wonderful career. We admire the qualities he displayed throughout his distinguished career, and we wish him well in his pursuit of other passions such as junior baseball, youth work, the promotion of literacy and the fight against thyroid disease and ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease).

We salute a champion.    A legend in his own time !