Photo Credit: Nury Hernandez/ New York Post
When baseball fans think of the Baltimore Orioles, a lot of people think different things like their feelings on the team, be it rivalry or extreme love. However, when great Orioles players are mentioned, one name never seems to be forgotten and that is Cal Ripken Jr. Some may know him as by his legendary nickname, “The Iron Man” or just maybe the number “2131”, but there’s only one question that remains to be answered? Is Cal Ripken Jr. the most popular and beloved player in Orioles history?
Stats don’t lie, that’s for sure and Ripken has an amazing set of them, especially over his colorful 20-year career. Ripken began his career in 1981 and retired in 2001 but left a lot behind on and off the field. In terms of stats, Ripken has played in the most consecutive games, beating out Lou Gehrig’s 2,131 games in 1995 and ending up with a whopping 2,632 consecutive games in total. A record that likely won’t be broken for many, many years.  In his career, Ripken tallied up 3,001 total games played, 3,184 hits, 431 home runs and 1,647 runs. Ripken played two positions in his time with the Orioles as a shortstop and a third baseman and was known as being one of the best to play either position.
The amount of awards that Ripken has received in his life is especially astounding. He’s a 19-time All-Star, 2-time AL MVP, 2-time Golden Glove winner, 8-time Sliver Slugger winner and received the Roberto Clemente award. If that wasn’t enough, Ripken was named the AL Rookie of the Year in 1982, World Series Champion in 1983 and his #8 has officially been retired. In 2007, Ripken was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame which was also the first year that he was eligible to go in.
Off the field, Ripken is an accomplished author and philanthropist. Since he broke Lou Gehrig’s record, Ripken has donated a lot of money into the research of Lou Gehrig’s disease (ALS) and at Ripken’s 2, 131 game, the Orioles sold specific seats for the event with the money generated being donated to Cal Ripken/Lou Gehrig Fund. Ripken and his brother, Billy founded the Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation which helps unprivileged children attend baseball camps they likely could not afford. Ripken has also been involved with Athletes for Hope, Bicycle for a Day, Jeff Gordon Children’s Foundation and Living Classrooms Foundation to name a few.
Some may not know that Ripken is an accomplished author with over 30 published books. Ripken’s first book, The Only Way I Know was a “guide” to Ripken, giving readers a preview into his life, such as his commitment to his team, family and the game. The one common theme that threads the book together is, of course, baseball and Ripken uses it to show a multitude of different issues through that lens. Most recently, Ripken wrote a piece for Players Tribune about his streak, aptly titled “The Streak” where he reminisces on the night it happened and shared some of his struggles. One particular quote really stands out though which is when Ripken walked to the dugout in the 5th inning the night of the streak. The quote came from Rafael Palmeiro to Ripken: “Ok, you’re going to have to take a lap around this ballpark or we’ll never be able to start this game again.” which is when Ripken saw the entire city of Baltimore as his home.
Sunday will mark 20 years for Ripken’s infamous 2,131 consecutive game streak and the love has not faded for him in Baltimore. Even now, fans at Camden Yards wear Ripken jerseys and shirts, cementing him into Orioles history. The final question remains and that is if Ripken is the most popular and beloved player in Orioles history? He absolutely is and that will never change.
