BALTIMORE — Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan sat down with Baltimore baseball legend cal ripkin for a fireside chat at the Appalachian Regional Commission Conference in Flintstone, Maryland on Tuesday. During their conversation, cal talked about his career in baseball and how it has taught him lessons about life. He also discussed his work with youth sports through the Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation, which builds youth development parks across the country.
cal was drafted in the 2nd round of the 1978 MLB June Amateur Draft by the Baltimore Orioles. He played his entire professional career with the Orioles, a span of 21 seasons. In 1986, he won the American League Most Valuable Player award and led the Orioles to a World Series victory. He became the first player to win both awards in consecutive seasons. He also set the league record for consecutive games played, breaking Lou Gehrig’s 56-year-old mark.
Cal had a quiet confidence on the field, a calmness that was evident in the way he acted and a manner of speech that was respectful of others. He was a role model for young players who were looking to follow in his footsteps.
During the 1995 season, fans tuned in to watch as Cal broke Gehrig’s record during a game at Camden Yards. The Orioles held a special ceremony that night to commemorate the event. At that time, the number of consecutive games that cal had played stood at 2,216. cal ripkin