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January 21 — On the night of his 1987 major league debut, 22-year-old Billy Ripken stood alongside his brother Cal Ripken Jr. during the national anthem at Memorial Stadium in Baltimore.
Both brothers were included in the lineup for the game against Minnesota, a lineup set by their father, Orioles manager Cal Ripken Sr.
Billy Ripken said, “It’s one of my favorite memories when I think about my career.” I didn’t have to have it.”
Baseball and family communion have been present throughout Billy Ripken’s life before he became one of the speakers at the 61st Annual Reading Hot Stovers Banquet at Reading’s DoubleTree by Hilton hotel on Thursday. .
“The three of us were fixated on something,” Ripken said of his family’s relationship with baseball. “It’s what we did for a living.”
A native of Haver de Grace, Maryland, Ripken made his debut on July 11, 1987, at the beginning of a 12-year major league career in which he played for four teams primarily as a second baseman. He spent most of his career in Baltimore, where he played for the O’s from 1987 until 1992, and again in 1996. He also played in Cleveland, Texas and Detroit.
“It’s hard enough to go to the big leagues, but[but]it’s even harder to stay in the big leagues,” Ripken said. I think he was.”
Cal Ripken Sr. was Baltimore’s manager in 1987 and was sacked for the first six games of 1988. He was the Orioles’ third base coach from 1989 to 1992, a position he held before being promoted to manager.
Billy Ripken said, “My father was probably the best teacher I’ve ever met in baseball. He didn’t sugarcoat things.”
Billy Ripken played alongside his brother in all seven seasons he played for Baltimore. Ripken Jr. racked up 3,184 hits during his 21-year career as baseball’s “Iron Man,” setting his league-record streak of 2,632 game appearances.
“He didn’t necessarily treat (Cal) Jr. and me the same way,” Billy Ripken said of his father. was very candid with his views and thoughts.”
While working for the Orioles, Ripken Sr. ran the Ripken Baseball School, a youth baseball summer camp at Mount St. Mary’s University in Emmitsburg, Maryland. After Ripken Sr.’s death in 1999, an organization called Billy and Cal Jr. Ripken Baseball was intended not only to honor his father, but to continue the Ripken family’s commitment to youth baseball.
Billy Ripken said, “When I fell in love with Ripken Baseball, I was thinking about how I could move forward in honor of my father. If we can establish something in the style of baseball that will continue to honor him, we’re really happy to do that.”
Founded in 2001, Ripken Baseball operates youth baseball and softball camps, clinics and tournaments across the United States. It also operates businesses such as the Cal Ripken Collegiate Summer League for college baseball players.
“It’s not about trying to develop a big-league player,” Ripken said. “A lot of these places we go to are vacation destinations, so there’s no better place to mix a little baseball and have fun with your family.”
The Ripken brothers also own the Aberdeen Ironbirds, a high-A minor league affiliate of Baltimore in Aberdeen, Maryland. .
Billy Ripken said, “When I look back at my days in the minor leagues, everything was good for me. ‘It helped shape me.'”
Ripken has never played for Reading, having spent his time in Double-A with the Charlotte Orioles of the Southern League. He spent his first season at Charlotte in 1986, a year after his team’s stadium burned down.
“I think some of what I had to go through in the minor leagues helped me get to the big leagues,” Ripken said. I think it was one of those times.”
Major changes have hit minors in recent years, including restructuring of leagues and affiliations, multi-million dollar stadium upgrades, and the requirement that teams must provide housing for their players.
Ripken said he believes no player should live in poverty and that the playing surface should be in the best possible condition, while not taking long-distance bus rides or playing in the minor leagues. Hard times have taught him a lot about himself and his path to the majors.
Ripken said, “I remember some good things about minor leagues at not-so-good facilities.” I have to go get it. I think that’s what the minor leagues helped me figure out.”
In addition to his work with Ripken Baseball and the Aberdeen Ironbirds, Ripken is a studio analyst for MLB Network. He has been with the network since its inception in 2009.
“I love being able to watch something on TV — in terms of games — that might bring some insight to people sitting at home.” I think you’re watching the game at
Ripken said he never thought of himself as a sports broadcaster during his playing days, but was selected as a potential candidate for the network years before it started. Ripken introduced his younger brother at the March of Dimesman of the Year Awards luncheon in New York and impressed Tony Petitti, who was in attendance.
“Looks like we could have been on the podium that day,” said Ripken. “I never thought I would be in that role.
With several rule changes, an aging fanbase, and a focus on the pace of play, the evolution of MLB has become a major topic surrounding baseball as it moves deeper into the 21st century. But Ripken said he believes the sport is in a healthy position.
“Most of us 58-year-old baseball fans don’t think the game is as bad as some people say.” There’s a lot of good stuff going on, if you actually get a little more education about the actual game of baseball and what people are doing, it might actually help you enjoy the game.”
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