Cal Ripken (ripkeca99)
From BR Bullpen
Calvin Edwin Ripken Sr.
- Bats Right, Throws Right
- Height 5' 11", Weight 170 lb.
- Born December 17, 1935 in Aberdeen, MD USA
- Died March 25, 1999 in Baltimore, MD USA
[edit] Biographical Information
The father of Cal Ripken and Billy Ripken, Cal Ripken Sr. was a minor league catcher/outfielder from 1957 to 1962. His brother, Bill Ripken, was a minor league outfielder 1947-1949. Cal Sr. began his managing career at the ripe old age of 25, taking over the Leesburg Orioles from Billy DeMars in 1961. He was famous for teaching numerous Orioles the Oriole Way which emphasized that hard work, professionalism, and a strong understanding of fundamentals were the key to success at the major league level. Ripken famously summed up the Oriole Way by saying "Perfect practice makes perfect."
He managed the Appleton Foxes* in 1962, and the Aberdeen Pheasants in 1963-1964, including a Northern League title in 1964. Ripken managed the 1965 Tri-City Atoms to the Northwest League title, then returned to Aberdeen in 1966. He managed the Miami Marlins in 1967, the Elmira Pioneers in 1968, and moved up to the Rochester Red Wings in 1969 and 1970. He also managed the Orioles entries in the 1968-69 Florida Instructional League. In 1971, he was switched with Joe Altobelli and moved down to the Dallas-Fort Worth Spurs, then stayed in AA with the Asheville Orioles from 1972 to 1974.
- Listed as "Fox Cities" in the "SN" standings".
Ripken was then a member of the Baltimore Orioles coaching staff from 1976 to 1986, serving as interim skipper for a game in 1985. He managed the O's in 1987 and for the first 6 games of the 1988 season - all losses. He returned to their coaching staff in 1989 and remained in that job through 1992.
| Preceded by Joe Altobelli | Baltimore Orioles Manager 1985 | Succeeded by Earl Weaver |
| Preceded by Earl Weaver | Baltimore Orioles Manager 1987-1988 | Succeeded by Frank Robinson |
[edit] Further Reading
- Thomas Boswell: "The Ripken Team", in Why Time Begins on Opening Day, Penguin Books, New York, 1984, pp. 263-273.
