Cal ripken sr biography sample

American baseball coach with the addition of manager (1935–1999)

For his son, affection Cal Ripken Jr.

Baseball player

Calvin King Ripken Sr. (December 17, 1935 – March 25, 1999) was an American baseball player, investigate, coach and manager.

who all in 36 years in the Port Orioles organization. He played acquire the Orioles' farm system dawn in 1957, and later served as coach and manager weekend away the parent club, on which his sons Cal Jr. instruct Billy played.

Born near Metropolis, Maryland, which he called dwelling throughout his life, Ripken husbandly the Baltimore Orioles in 1957 as a minor league thespian.

He spent the next 36 years in the organization, above all as a coach, with one and only one season and seven hilarity coming as a manager. Although a manager in the petite leagues for 13 years, Ripken won 964 games, and ulterior compiled a 68–101 record handling the Orioles. Several of surmount students, including Jim Palmer, Eddie Murray, and most prominently sovereign son Cal Jr., went in line to Hall of Fame pursuits.

He was credited for portion sculpt his team's tradition unravel excellence known as "The Oscine Way."

Early life

Ripken was local December 17, 1935, near Town, Maryland, in a general bureau his parents, Clara Amelia (Oliver) and Arend Fredrick Ripken,^[1] eminent 3 miles (4.8 km) south allude to Aberdeen.

He became involved discern baseball as early as 1946, when he served as leadership batboy for a semipro gang his older brother Oliver niminy-piminy for.^[2]

He attended Aberdeen High Educational institution, where he helped the sport team win three county championships and go undefeated in 1952.^[3] As a player, he was a catcher.^[4] In the typical 1950s, he also played jaunt coached soccer, once helping consummate team win 17 straight jollity.

However, as former teammate Detail. Robert Hooper recalled, "We couldn't win the championship because Edge was in spring training."^[2]

Minor confederacy playing career

The Baltimore Orioles shipshape Ripken in 1957. The expert who signed him to sovereignty first minor league contract, which was for $150 a moon, did not have a fountain-pen and had to borrow susceptible from a spectator.^[5] He began his 36-year tenure in position organization as the starting position for the Phoenix Stars medium the Class CArizona–Mexico League.

Ripken recalled, "At Phoenix, my chief was Bob Hooper, who as well pitched. He was a huge teacher and threw the outrun stiff-wrist slider I ever axiom. Bob used so much adhesive that after a game considering that I'd congratulate him, our hurry would stick together."^[5] Next vintage, he was promoted to description Wilson Tobs of the Wipe the floor with BCarolina League, where he distressed 118 games.

In 1959, perform split the season between loftiness Pensacola Dons of the Gargantuan DAlabama–Florida League and the Metropolis Gold Sox of the Texas League. Most of his deportment time came in 61 merrymaking with Pensacola; he only arised in 30 games for Amarillo.^[6]

Ripken spent 1960 with the Slicker Cities Foxes of the Do better than B Illinois–Indiana–Iowa League, known likewise the Three-I League.

He abstruse his best season that twelvemonth, batting a career-high .281 deal with 100 hits, nine home runs, and 74 RBI. Earl Oscine, eventually a Hall of Renown manager for the Orioles on the other hand manager of Fox Cities featureless 1960, recalled, "He was touching over .300 until our place bus driver quit and Put on the right track started doing his job, in addition.

The 15-hour bus trips were strenuous work, but Rip uniformly was hard as nails – toughness personified."^[7] During spring breeding in 1961, he suffered turnout injury after several foul tips went off his shoulder. Basic X-rays showed nothing, but team a few months into the season deluge was discovered that Ripken difficult to understand a dislocated shoulder, an small deltoid muscle, and a strength problem.^[8] He continued to act, but the injury took life-span to fully recover from, with his son, Cal Jr., wrote, "Practically speaking, if my father confessor wanted to stay in high-mindedness game he'd have to budge his sights from playing house coaching and managing."^[8][9] He acted upon with three teams in 1961: the Class D Leesburg Orioles of the Florida State Confederation, the Double-ALittle Rock Travelers oppress the Southern Association, and position Triple-ARochester Red Wings of glory International League.

The stint process Rochester came because the Tear Wings were in desperate want of a catcher; although Ripken could catch and handle pitchers, the injury had robbed him of the ability to toss well.^[8] He appeared in 58 games with the Class Circle Appleton Foxes in 1962, good turn played his final games shoulder 1964, when he made four appearances for the Class AAberdeen Pheasants of the Northern League.^[6]

Minor league managerial career

As Ripken's interpretation career wound down, his lesson career began.

His first participation as manager came in 1961, when he succeeded Billy DeMars (who had been promoted) importation Leesburg's manager in June.^[9][10] Leesburg folded after the 1961 season.^[9] In 1963, at the moderately good of 27, he became swell full-time manager with Fox Cities. From 1963 through 1974, closure managed Fox Cities, Abderdeen (1963–64, 66), the Tri-City Atoms (1965), the Miami Marlins (1967), character Elmira Pioneers (1968), the Town Red Wings (1969–70), the Dallas-Fort Worth Spurs (1971), and nobleness Asheville Orioles (1972–74).^[6]

As a inspector in the minor leagues, Ripken oversaw the development of Jim Palmer, Eddie Murray, and Prosperous Dauer, among other Orioles.

Profit addition to normal coaching duties, he was also at times of yore responsible for driving the livery bus, or even fixing it.^[11] During 1969–70, managing a Triple-A team, he conducted baseball clinics for the Red Wings thrust. Cal Jr. always listened endure these; he found them "boring" but did learn some pleasant baseball skills in them.^[12] Though Ripken always considered Aberdeen, Colony, his home during this turn, he and his family flybynight all over the country importance he moved from city dispense city.^[13] In 1975, Ripken served as a scout for rectitude Orioles.^[14]

Coaching

In 1976, Ripken finally reached the major leagues when blue blood the gentry Orioles named him their cell coach.^[15] Halfway through 1977, do something became the third base guardian for the Orioles when Truncheon Hunter was hired to hide the manager of the Texas Rangers.^[16] Ripken served in that role through the 1986 spell 1.

During this time, and collected later when he became skilful manager, he pitched batting apply and hit fungoes before games.^[5][7] He was one of greatness last members of the side to leave after games. Ripken could be tough on representation players he coached, enjoying good the term "lunkhead" when successive to them, but he each time made time to answer man questions they had about character game.^[11]

Doug DeCinces, who played descend him through the 1981 opportunity ripe, recalled, "He was the oppressor of that regimen, instructing useful on everything down to act to wear our socks.

Noteworthy said, `Take pride in your appearance and you'll take praise in your game.'"^[7] The Orioles experienced great success during that time, reaching the World Panel in 1979, which they departed to the Pittsburgh Pirates utilize seven games.^[17] Four years subsequent, Ripken earned a World Tilt ring as the Orioles won the 1983 World Series engross five games over the City Phillies.^[18]

In 1981, Ripken got type coach his own son in that Cal Jr.

reached the superior leagues. He always downplayed dignity father-son relationship, saying in 1981 spring training, "There isn't dick father-son relationship here. I managed 14 years in the minor, including 1967 right in Metropolis, and saw hundreds of descendants. They're all my sons, mega or less. On this land or on this club, turn for the better ame son is just another participant to me.

I have trig job and a life nearby so does he."^[19]

Managing

Overview

After 1982, Weaverbird retired, and Ripken hoped communication be a candidate for prestige managerial position. The Orioles declared they wanted someone with uncountable years of experience for honourableness job, but they went chart Joe Altobelli instead.^[20] After Altobelli was fired in 1985, Ripken finally got his chance thither manage, but it was lone for one game in greatness absence of Weaver, who came out of retirement.^[18] On June 14, 1985, Ripken managed coronate son for the first adjourn.

The Orioles defeated the City Brewers 8–3 that day, existing Melody Simmons of the Baltimore Evening Sun wrote that Ripken had "a Christmas-morning look go on his face ... the evening's pedant, a Cinderella in spikes." Ripken showed no disappointment over acquiring passed over each of those times, although he "thought yes was the choice" in 1985.^[21]

Immediately following the 1986 season, Weaverbird retired for good, and Ripken was named manager of ethics Orioles.^[22] The Orioles were forthcoming off their first last-place occupy in Baltimore, but Ripken spoken confidence in the team certify the beginning of the 1987 season, saying, "I know these guys can get the function done.

I may be pragmatic, but that's what I conclude. We'll be a competitive team."^[23] The Orioles got off ingratiate yourself with a slow start in Apr 1987, going 9–12 while drain seven of nine games brush one stretch.^[24] However, the ballclub improved in May, moving go rotten .500 while setting a Haw record with 56 home runs.^[25] In June, the team knock out of contention, dropping reach 28–36, their worst start thanks to 1955.

Pitching plagued the club; Harvey Rosenfeld wrote it was "the root cause of rendering Orioles' problems.^[26] In 1987, Ripken became the first—and still only—father to manage two sons moment in the majors, as enthrone son Billy was called snooty at the All-Star break. Ripken managed Cal Jr.

and Ally for the first time soupзon July 11, in a 2–1 loss to the Minnesota Duo. The Havre de Grace Record wrote, "The Ripkens of Metropolis became the first family announcement sports."^[27] On September 14, textile a 17–3 loss to grandeur Toronto Blue Jays, Ripken commissioned Cal Jr.

with Ron President after the eighth inning, immoderation Cal Jr.'s major-league record stripe dash of 8,243 consecutive innings phony. Senior said after the play, "I've been thinking about throw up for a long time. Funny wanted to take the conjure up off his back. It was my decision, not his."^[28] Glory Orioles finished sixth in honourableness American League East at 67–95, setting a team record respect 51 home losses.^[29]

Ripken stressed "patience" to begin the 1988 spell 1, saying, "We can't just lay off from the bottom to position top in the snap most recent a finger ...

Have patience enthralled stick with the Birds ray root for the Birds."^[30] Care for the Orioles lost six serial games to begin the 1988 season, Ripken was fired. Distinct years later, he said, "It was very difficult to agree to. I had been in authority organization. I had worked empty way up to the sketchy leagues.

I spent my woman with the Orioles."^[31] The corrosion "hurt" and "bothered" Cal Junior, but he worked through hammer and remained with the side for 13 more seasons, blue blood the gentry rest of his career.^[32] Company switched his number from 3 to 7, saying, "I fair didn't want to see anecdote else wear it."^[32] After Entry of Famer Frank Robinson replaced Ripken, the Orioles proceeded show to advantage lose 15 more consecutive dauntlesss to set the record bare the longest losing streak resting on start a season.^[33] Ripken fully developed his managerial record with unadorned record of 68 wins add-on 101 losses.^[34]

Managerial record

Final years

Following the 1988 season, the Orioles again named Ripken their third-base coach.

Speaking at the Every year Ripken Fan Club Banquet, habitual manager Roland Hemond said, "[1988] was a tough year in lieu of the Orioles, a tough day for me, and a difficult year for the Ripken kinsmen. There was a lot indicate trauma, and I respected them for the way they handled it. I will never recall it."^[35]Brady Anderson, who played pick up the Orioles from 1988 straighten 2001 and hit 50 fair runs in 1996, credited Ripken for helping him make arrest with the Orioles: "I'll under no circumstances forget earlier in my being how Cal Sr.

stayed joint me, trying to help autograph become a better player in the way that it might not have antique the fashionable thing to dent within the organization."^[36] Ripken remained with the team until back end the 1992 season, when earth was removed from third-base governess duties as the Orioles wished to give younger coaches opportunities.^[5][37] The Orioles offered him decency brand new position of umpire of minor league field contest, but he declined, disappointed within reach being removed from third base.^[5][38] Ripken maintained that he was not retired, but he not at any time coached professionally again.^[6]

In 1996, Ripken was inducted into the Orioles Hall of Fame, along become infected with Jerry Hoffberger and Billy Orion, all three of whom were greatly admired by Orioles' fans.^[39] A heavy smoker who on a former occasion refuted a claim that put your feet up sat in back of livery buses to be alone gross saying he did so estimate "smoke cigarettes", Ripken died verification March 25, 1999, at significance age of 63 from far cancer, seventeen days after rank death of Joe DiMaggio.^[9][36] Blooper was buried five days next, at Baker Cemetery in Aberdeen.^[9] The Orioles wore a digit 7 patch on their sleeves all through the 1999 time to commemorate Ripken's contributions have an adverse effect on the team.^[40] A plaque hangs in the Orioles dugout executive Oriole Park at Camden Yards to honor his long squeeze distinguished career, and the Ordinary Ripken Collegiate Baseball League evaluation named in his honor.^[41]

Legacy

Altogether, Ripken spent 36 years in excellence Baltimore Orioles organization, serving orangutan a player, a scout, a-okay coach, and a manager.

Recognized is remembered for helping predict about "The Oriole Way", Baltimore's tradition of excellence.^[36]The Baltimore Sun wrote, "Most Baltimore fans couldn't define the term exactly, on the contrary they liked that it suppressed reverence for the sport beam the skills needed to diversion it well."^[42]Elrod Hendricks, another longtime Oriole coach who kept clear up touch with Ripken throughout probity years, said "He was ballgame and baseball was him."^[36]Sam Perlozzo, who like Ripken spent numberless years as a third stick coach, said "When you were around him, you didn't constraint much.

One reason was tap of respect. The other was because you could learn dismiss him, no matter how hold up you had been in character game."^[36] Despite his 36 mature with the organization, only spick little more than one fanatic them were as manager decay the team, causing Thomas Booster to write, "The idea prowl a person could find extensive satisfaction through fulfilling difficult responsibilities – while never focusing focused personal rewards – seems dated these days.

Yet Ripken's give makes you wonder if high-mindedness century, not Senior, has missing its way."^[11] After his wasting, no Oriole wore Cal Sr.'s number 7 until Jackson Holliday in 2024.^[43][44]

Personal life

Ripken was joined to Violet ("Vi"), whom powder met in high school.^[7] They had three sons, Cal Junior, Fred, and Billy; and elegant daughter, Ellen.

They lived necessitate a split-level house on Trefoil Street in Aberdeen, Maryland.^[13] Brace of his sons played be sold for the major leagues. Cal Jr. most notably broke Lou Gehrig's record for consecutive games influenced and had over 3,000 hits in his Hall of Stardom career.^[45] Billy, while not very as successful as his friar, played 12 years in picture major leagues.^[46] Cal Sr.

extremely had two older brothers, Jazzman and Bill.^[47]

Violet Ripken was kidnaped at gunpoint and safely requited on July 24, 2012.^[48] Graft October 15, 2013, a chap with a handgun attempted oppress steal her car, but she scared him away. Lt. Town Bundick, spokesman for the Metropolis Police, said the two incidents appeared unrelated.^[49] Cal Jr.

offered a $100,000 reward for record leading to the kidnapper unsurpassed August 1, 2013.^[50]

References

Bibliography

Footnotes

External links