Top 50 Players In Baltimore Sports History: Countdown 10-6

7. Cal Ripken Jr., SS, Baltimore Orioles

September 6, 2012; Baltimore, MD, USA; Cal Ripken poses with his keepsake statue as part of the Orioles legends ceremony prior to a game against the New York Yankees at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Joy R. Absalon-USA TODAY Sports

The fact that Cal Ripken is this low on my list might not be taken well by some fans. The reason being because, not only was Cal one of the best-hitting shortstops of all-time, but he was also a fan favorite in Baltimore and around the league. Ripken was nicknamed “The Iron Man” after he played an MLB record 2,632 consecutive games. He accomplished the feat over a 17-year span and it is a record that many people think will never ever be broken.

Born in Maryland, Ripken grew up traveling around the United States as his father Cal Sr. was a player and coach in the Orioles’ organization. Ripken Jr. was drafted by the Orioles in the second round of the 1978 MLB Draft. When he initially reached the majors in ’81, he was a third baseman, but the following year he was shifted to shortstop. That year, Ripken won the AL Rookie of the Year Award and began his consecutive-games-played streak. In 1983, he won a World Series and his first American League MVP Award.

One of Ripken’s best years came in 1991 when he was named an All-Star, won the Home Run Derby, was recipient of his first All-Star Game MVP Award, received his second AL MVP Award, and first Gold Glove Award. He broke the consecutive games played record on September 6, 1995, in his 2,131st consecutive game, which fans voted as the league’s “most memorable moment” in an MLB.com poll. Ripken willingly ended his 17-year streak at 2,632 games in 1998.

Ripken finished his career compiling 3,184 hits, 431 home runs, and 1,685 RBIs in 21 years in the league, all with the Orioles. He was elected into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2007 which was his first year of eligibility.