Cal Ripken (ripkeca99)

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Ripkencalsr.jpg

Calvin Edwin Ripken Sr.

BR Manager page

Biographical Information[edit]

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 and his grandson Ryan Ripken has also played in the minors. 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 in the minors through 1974. He also managed the Orioles entries in the 1968-69 Florida Instructional League. 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.

He passed away in 1999. In 2001, his widow, Vi, and sons Cal Jr. and Billy established the Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation in his honor. It programs initiative for at-risk youth and underserved communities in the country. The Foundation organizes an annual fundraising gala with the support of the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association, the Aspire Gala, whose 2017 edition raised over $3 million. The money is used to build Youth Development Parks and safe recreation facilities. It also supports initiatives aimed at promoting learning in science, technology and mathematics, and one aimed at teenage girls.

In July of 2012, his widow Vi, now 74, was abducted at gunpoint from her home in Aberdeen, MD, was bound up and kept overnight until found by police on July 26th in what was apparently a bungled kidnapping attempt. Police found it strange that no ransom demand was issued, and the kidnapper had apparently not known who he was abducting.


Preceded by
Earl Weaver
Baltimore Orioles Manager
1987-1988
Succeeded by
Frank Robinson

Year-by-Year Managerial Record[edit]

Year Team League Record Finish Organization Playoffs Notes
1961 Leesburg Orioles Florida State League 38-36 -- Baltimore Orioles -- replaced Billy DeMars (15-41) on June 7 /
replaced by Ray Scarborough on August 17
1962 Appleton Foxes Midwest League 61-63 7th Baltimore Orioles
1963 Aberdeen Pheasants Northern League 65-55 2nd Baltimore Orioles 17-13 3rd*
1964 Aberdeen Pheasants Northern League 80-37 1st Baltimore Orioles 19-10 1st*
1965 Tri-City Atoms Northwest League 81-58 2nd Baltimore Orioles League Champs
1966 Aberdeen Pheasants Northern League 47-22 2nd Baltimore Orioles none
1967 Miami Marlins Florida State League 65-76 6th Baltimore Orioles
1968 Elmira Pioneers Eastern League 77-63 3rd Baltimore Orioles Lost in 1st round
1969 Rochester Red Wings International League 71-69 5th Baltimore Orioles
1970 Rochester Red Wings International League 76-64 3rd Baltimore Orioles Lost in 1st round
1971 Dallas-Fort Worth Spurs Texas League 82-59 2nd Baltimore Orioles
1972 Asheville Orioles Southern League 81-58 1st Baltimore Orioles Lost League Finals
1973 Asheville Orioles Southern League 71-69 4th Baltimore Orioles
1974 Asheville Orioles Southern League 70-67 5th Baltimore Orioles
1985 Baltimore Orioles American League 1-0 -- Baltimore Orioles interim between Joe Altobelli (29-26) and Earl Weaver on June 13
1987 Baltimore Orioles American League 67-95 6th Baltimore Orioles
1988 Baltimore Orioles American League 0-6 -- Baltimore Orioles Replaced by Frank Robinson on April 12

* Baukol Playoffs based on last 30 days of the season

Further Reading[edit]

Related Sites[edit]