Cal Ripken is baseball’s all-time “Iron Man.” He retired from the game in October 2001 after 21 seasons with the Baltimore Orioles. His name appears in the record books repeatedly, most notably as one of only ten players in history to achieve 400 home runs and 3,000 hits. On July 29, 2007 he was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame, collecting the second highest vote total ever by the BBWAA.

 

In 1995, Ripken broke Lou Gehrig’s Major League record for consecutive games played (2,130) and in 1996 he surpassed Japanese great Sachio Kinugasa’s streak of 2,215 straight games. Three years later he voluntarily ended his streak on September 20, 1998 after playing 2,632 consecutive games. Although he began and finished his career at third base, Ripken is still best known for redefining the position of shortstop.

 

In 1987, Ripken, along with his brother Billy, played for the Orioles while their father Cal Ripken, Sr. served as manager. This was the first (and still only) time a father managed two sons on one team together.

 

In 1999, the Babe Ruth League Inc. changed the name of its largest division (4-12 year-olds) from Bambino to Cal Ripken Baseball.  Presently, over 700,000 youths play Cal Ripken Baseball worldwide.

 

After retiring from the game in 2001, he remained dedicated to baseball through the establishment and growth of his business ventures, Ripken Baseball and the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation. 
 

During this chapter of his life, Ripken has used the platform that baseball has provided him to help grow the game he loves at the grassroots level.  He started this effort with the construction of a one-of-a-kind baseball complex in his hometown of Aberdeen, Maryland.  The Aberdeen project consists of Leidos Field at Ripken Stadium and The Ripken Experience Aberdeen Powered by Under Armour youth baseball complex.  Leidos Field Ripken Stadium is a minor league ballpark that is home to the Aberdeen Ironbirds, the Class A short-season affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles. The Ripken Experience complex hosts ballplayers and teams from across the country for camps and tournaments during the spring, summer and fall.

 

Due to the success of the Aberdeen youth complex as a tournament destination and the desire to grow the game of baseball worldwide, Ripken opened The Ripken Experience complex in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and The Ripken Experience in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee with an eye on growth to other parts of the country. ​

 

Ripken has always placed a strong focus on giving back to the community.  In 2001, he and his family established the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation in memory of the family’s patriarch, longtime coach, and mentor, Cal Ripken, Sr. For the last 23 years, the Foundation has worked tirelessly to implement youth development programs and create parks that directly address the problems facing at-risk youth in distressed communities across the country.

 

Over the years he has served as a spokesman for numerous brands, has been a national broadcaster and evolved into one of the most sought-after corporate speakers and authors in the country.  

 

He has authored nearly 30 books, including a New York Times Bestselling autobiography “The Only Way I Know”.  In addition, he has written books on baseball instruction, coaching and various children’s selections.

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In 2024, Ripken joined the ownership group led by David Rubenstein to become the new owners of the Baltimore Orioles.

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Ripken serves as a national spokesperson for Topps, Fanatics, Sage, Candy Digital, Glu Mobile, Goldin Auctions and as a goodwill ambassador for Major League Baseball.

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Ripken resides in Annapolis, MD with his wife Laura and has two children.