Cal Ripken
Cal Ripken
 |
Tuesday, March 6, 5 p.m. ET
Cal Ripken was called up from AAA Rochester in 1981 after the Major League Baseball players' strike was settled. He scored the winning run in his first game, and after 20 years of service with the Baltimore Orioles, he is still contributing.
Known as "The Ironman," Ripken holds the record for consecutive games played (2,632) and consecutive innings played (8,243). He broke Lou Gehrig's consecutive-games streak of 2,131 on Sept. 7, 1995. He started in the All-Star Game a record 16 straight times, and in 1999 he became the 29th player to hit 400 home runs. Ripken is currently recovering from a broken rib at spring training in Fort Lauderdale.
Off the field, he is busy with Ripken Baseball Camps and the Aberdeen Project, which consists of a 6,500-seat minor league stadium and a youth baseball academy. The facility is under construction in Ripken's hometown of Aberdeen, MD.
Comment from Chat Host:
Cal Ripken joins us from spring training in Fort Lauderdale where he is recovering from a broken rib. Let's get to your questions.
Comment from Cal Ripken:
Hi everybody. I will be getting started in just a couple of minutes. Thanks.
Dallas,TX:
It is unusual in this day to see a player remain with a team for 20 years.(in any sport) First, Thank you for doing so. Second, Do you think a salary cap would encourage teams or players to remain loyal?
Cal Ripken:
I think no matter what the situation, a lot of things have to be lined up and right to stay with one team. In my own situation, I was drafted by the Orioles and against all odds, I made it to the majors against the same long odds and to establish yourself with one team and be with them your whole career is even longer odds. Now, as ownership and management changes you could see how difficult it is to stay on one team. So I don't think a salary cap would encourage players to stay on one team. Choices are made within an organization on who to draft, who to keep, who fits and who doesn't and a small minority of the players become free agents and I would never begrudge anyone the right to want to go back and play and live in their hometown.
Shawnee, OK:
It took baseball a long time to recover from the last lockout. Mark McGuire has even said that he'll retire if the next one is prolonged. Based on the attitudes of the fans, aren't both sides taking a big chance (to kill their golden goose) with another lockout ?
Cal Ripken:
I think it would be in everyone's interest to handle the business side quietly and away from the media. When the focus remains on the game and the performances of people like McGwire on the field, the game is great.
Blandon, Penna.:
As you look back on your career, do you take for granted the time that you, your brother and father were all on the same club?
Cal Ripken:
I don't think I took for granted the time that we had, but I don't think you understand how special it is until its gone. It was very normal for us to be around baseball and around each other. When we became separated, we really missed it.
Comment from Chat Host:
Here is USA WEEKEND's profile on Cal, written by author Richard Ben Cramer (wrote last year's Dimaggio bio).
Wilbraham, Massachusetts:
What kind of drills can I do to become a better fielder? (age 7)
Cal Ripken:
I think anything that involves catching the baseball. With my boy, who is also 7, I took a lacrosse stick and put a baseball in it and threw fly balls and ground balls with the stick just to make it different and he really enjoyed the games we invented. One of his favorites was when I would stand with my back to him and throw it to him over my back. Throwing a ball off a wall can be boring, but it can be fun too. Anything that simulates fielding will work. Have your Dad or Mom use their creativity and figure out a game within a game.
east brunswick, NJ:
Hi Cal! My name is Cal and I am 7 years old and my birthday is also August 24! My question is: what are your favorite things to do with your kids when you're not playing baseball? Thanks and I'll see you June 22 at Camden Yards!
Cal Ripken:
I like to do whatever my kids want. I am a firm believer in supporting their interests and letting them guide the activities. All time is quality time that you spend with your kids. Have fun at the game!
Houston, TX:
Do you collect your own memorabilia? And have you seen any of the memorabilia collections that your fans have assembled?
Cal Ripken:
I wouldn't call myself a collector, but I don't throw anything out, I am kind of a pack rat. I would guess I have one of everything. Yes, over the years I have seen some very impressive collections. I always thought one of the most intersting collectibles was a chicken lid from 1983.
Williamsburg, Virginia:
When and how did the idea of building the Aberdeen Project come to you and when will it be ready for play? Wayno
Cal Ripken:
The Aberdeen Project specifically was born out of a gift from the Player's Association in 1995. It started with the idea of four fields but we wanted to grow it more and the academy component came in and it just took off from there. The minor league stadium will open in April, 2002 and the miniature Camden Yards will host the Cal Ripken World Series in August, 2002 and the rest of the academy will follow.
Comment from Cal Ripken:
If you want to learn more about the Aberdeen Project that I am building in my hometown or the league that Babe Ruth Baseball named after me check out our new website at www.ripkenbaseball.com
Denver, CO:
As a rookie, did you ever think you would still be playing at 40?
Cal Ripken:
I was hopeful. I always remember what my dad said, it's one thing to get to the big leagues and it's another to have a good and long career. Brooks Robinson was someone that I looked up to and I think he played for 23 years so a quite goal of mine was to play for twenty years.
Cleveland, OH:
Do you think it is fair for a capable and successful manager to get fired because he does not get along with a big name player?
Cal Ripken:
The answer specifically to your question is no. But there are some harsh realities to the sport and my Dad used to joke that as a manager in the big leagues you are hired to be fired and that is a harsh reality.
Silver Spring, MD :
Do you surf the web a lot during the offseason? What kinds of websites do you like to visit?
Cal Ripken:
I'm just scratching the surface. I love the informational resource of the internet and I am learning more and more about it. For stadium design it is fun to visit different ballpark websites, especially stadiums under construction. I think its really neat that when stadium projects are under construction you can follow the story and the progress of the project.
Raleigh, NC:
Throughout your career, you've played through countless injuries and persevered. How hard is it for you to watch what Albert Belle is going through, knowing that this could be the end of his career?
Cal Ripken:
First and foremost, Albert Belle has played through countless injuries and aches and pains. One of the things I admire most about Albert besides his talent as a hitter is his approach. He comes to the ballpark and wants to play no matter what. Especially because of the last two years with me and my back and having surgery, I can understand some of the frustrations he is going through. It saddens me that a player's career could be shortened because of injury and I really enjoy watching Albert perform.
Cumberland, Maryland:
What is the current treatment for your back pain; have you tried acupuncture?
Cal Ripken:
I am happy to tell you that my back is doing very well. This off-season I was able to workout hard just as I did when I was 22. The good news is, the back is good. The bad news is, I am still healing from a rib injury.
Glen Head, New York:
Do you like the direction the Orioles are going with regards to personnel?
Cal Ripken:
There is another harsh reality in baseball that if the team does not perform, changes will come. People are hired in the form of managers and general managers. I am just a player so it is not my job to agree or disagree with those decisions. Maybe someday I will have that responsibility and will be in the hot seat.
Larry, Dundalk, md:
love your new website, are are your future plans for the site?
Cal Ripken:
Thanks. I would like to share the craft of the game in the form of my philosophies and instruction. I have been lucky to have grown up in a baseball atmosphere and have my dad, the encyclopedia of baseball, present the game to me. I would like to be able to present the game to all ages. I am particularly interested in the kids 12 and under. I would like to use the website to pass on information to all those who are interested.
atlanta ga :
Cal I heard that your an avid basketball fan (and player), who do you like in this years NCAA tournament?
Cal Ripken:
Maryland seems to be peaking at the right time don't they. I am more of a fan of the pro game and I follow the NBA more than college.
London, England :
I've been a fan of the Orioles and of yours for many years and hopefully i'll get to see you play when I come over in May. Do you see yourself staying with the Orioles in some capacity after you retire? Best wishes and good luck for the season.
Cal Ripken:
Hello England! I think for now I would like to focus on my playing career. It is easy to get ahead of yourself, but at this stage of my career I want to concentrate on playing. I am open to all opportunities after I retire and the most ideal situation would certainly be with the Orioles. My personal conflict is that I need to stay flexible in my personal schedule because I want to see my boy's ballgames and my daughter's plays and activities. Right now I just don't know, I look forward to figuring it out when the time is right.
Comment from Cal Ripken:
Here is a question for the person in England...are there any baseball jobs available in London?
Lafayette, TN.:
How did you injure your rib, and do you think you can be as productive as you were at the end of last season.
Cal Ripken:
I injured my rib working out in the off-season. I can't be 100% sure whether it was doing some aggressive fielding drills or playing basketball. The bottom line is, I have always made gains and have worked out hard in the off-season. By working hard to make gains you take risks and the risk is injury. Fortunately, in my whole career I haven't been injured. This particular year, after spending the last two winters being limited because of my back I was able to have a normal and aggressive off-season and I was motivated to come into spring training in the best possible shape I could. I believe that I achieved that goal, unfortunately the rib injury is a bump in the road but I have no doubt I will be ready for opening day. The thing that I take from my last two seasons is that when I was able to play and able to be on the field I was as productive as I have been at any time during my whole career. So as long as I am healthy I believe I can be productive and complete and I look forward to playing a whole year. Is 162 games realistic at this stage of my career? Probably not but I am hopeful for 145-150 games.
Windsor, Nova Scotia:
Do you have any pre game ritual like some players are known to have?
Cal Ripken:
I think all of us find comfort in routines. Preparation has always been important to me. Cage time, batting practice time and fielding ground balls makes me feel more ready for the game but I don't have any weird superstitions. However, if I have a good game I tend to eat the same thing the next day.
Comment from Cal Ripken:
Thanks for the time everybody...let's do
this again soon!
Comment from Chat Host:
We appreciate Cal dropping by and taking your questions. He is moving on to his next interview.
If you're intested in the Aberdeen Project, here is some more info: the baseball facility includes a minor league ballpark and a youth baseball academy. Expected to be completed in 2002, the project will feature six youth sized stadiums modeled after famous major league ballparks and housing that will hold up to 400 youths and coaches each week throughout the summer for camps, clinics and tournaments. The complex will also be the future and permanent home of the nationally televised Cal Ripken World Series.
|
