9-04-2025 4:22am

LOOKING BACK

Jeff Barto Editor

Tonight, I want to make sure you know how I feel. As I grew up here, I not only had dreams of being a big league ballplayer, but of being a Baltimore Oriole. As a boy and a fan, I know how passionate we are about baseball and the Orioles here. And as a player, I have benefited from this passion.

For all of your support over the years, I want to thank you, the fans of Baltimore, from the bottom of my heart.

This is the greatest place to play.

Cal Ripken, Jr.

Cal's Speech

30th Anniversary of 2131

Celebrate the 30th anniversary of 2131 with Cal at the Yard!

Relive the moment Cal Ripken, Jr. broke Lou Gehrig's streak for consecutive games played on September 6, 1995, with special on-field ceremonies and in-park activations.

Born on August 24, 1960, to Vi and Cal Ripken, Sr., in Havre de Grace, MD, Cal Ripken, Jr. was destined to be a baseball legend.

The Susquehanna River begins in a little town known for
housing baseball legends and telling stories of hardball’s
history – Cooperstown, NY. As it flows down through
Pennsylvania and into Maryland, the mouth of the
river appears in Havre de Grace, MD.

Let’s just say,

He grew up at the family home in nearby Aberdeen, MD,
the second child and first son.

Cal Ripken, Jr. was born to play. Senior managed in rural
American towns such as Tri-City and Asheville, where
Junior often followed along. Shagging fly balls, working
on his swing, and hanging around a professional
clubhouse gave the youngster an early and strong
foundation in the game.

There was something in the water.

The Orioles sign Cal Ripken Jr to his first professional contract on June 13 1978 nine days after selecting him in the second round of the First Year Player Draft. He was the fourth player taken by the Orioles and the 48th player overall. Most teams viewed him as a pitcher, as he posted a 7-2 record with a 0.70 ERA and 100 Ks in 60 innings pitched his senior year at Aberdeen High School.

However, the Orioles put him at shortstop, and he hit .264 in 63 games at Rookie-level Bluefield.

Cal quickly moved up the Orioles’ minor league system. He joined Class-A Miami in 1979 and hit .303 while splitting time between shortstop and third base. In 1980, with AA Charlotte, he was named the Southern League’s All-Star third baseman, batting .276 with 25 homers. Before getting called up the following season, Cal continued his hitting success by batting .288 with 23 homers for AAA Rochester.

In 1981, Cal made his big-league debut as a pinch-runner on August 10th and his first hit, a single off Chicago’s Dennis Lamp on August 16th.