- Broke Lou Gehrig’s record for the most consecutive games played, nineteen-time All-Star, two-time American League MVP, and Baseball Hall of Famer
- Sports Diplomacy Envoy for the U.S. State Department, using the power of baseball to promote positive global social change
- Founder of Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to building character and teaching critical life lessons to at-risk youth
- Blends insights from sports, business, and a life-well-lived to share lessons-learned of how to succeed on and off the field
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About Cal Ripken, Jr.
Download ProfileCal Ripken, Jr. is baseball’s all-time Iron Man. He retired from baseball in October 2001 after 21 seasons with his hometown Baltimore Orioles. During his career he was Rookie of the Year, a 19-time All-Star, a 2-time AL MVP, and is one of only 12 players in history to amass over 400 home runs and 3,000 hits. In 2007, he was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. In 1995, Ripken broke Lou Gehrig’s Major League record for consecutive games played (2,130) and voluntarily ended his streak on September 20, 1998, after playing 2,632 consecutive games.
Today, Ripken is a successful business leader and philanthropist. In 2024, he joined the Baltimore Orioles ownership group led by David Rubenstein as a minority partner. In addition, he recently sold controlling interest in two businesses; Ripken Baseball, the youth baseball business he founded with his brother Bill, and the Aberdeen IronBirds, minor league affiliate of the Orioles. Exclusively represented by Leading Authorities speakers bureau, Ripken delivers warm, witty talks that connect his keys to success from the baseball field to the business world.
In 2001, Cal and his family established the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation in memory of the family’s patriarch. Since its inception, the Foundation has impacted over 11 million kids in underserved communities. They have constructed and gifted nearly 120 Youth Development Parks in 27 states. These are multipurpose fields that provide kids with safe places to play and learn. The Foundation has also completed over 465 STEM Centers in 23 states, as well as 21 districtwide elementary and middle school STEM programs.
Since 2007, Cal has served as a Special Public Diplomacy Envoy to the U.S. State Department and has traveled internationally on goodwill trips using baseball to bring people together. And since 2015, Ripken has been a Special Adviser to MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred on youth programs and outreach. Cal resides in Annapolis with his wife, the Honorable Laura Ripken.
Video Gallery
Cal Ripken Jr: Homerun Lessons for Success
Cal Ripken, Jr.: Lessons Learned On and Off the Field
NPC Luncheon with Cal Ripken, Jr.
The Business of Cal Ripken Baseball | Forbes
Cal Ripken Jr: Homerun Lessons for Success
Cal Ripken, Jr.: Lessons Learned On and Off the Field
NPC Luncheon with Cal Ripken, Jr.
The Business of Cal Ripken Baseball | Forbes
Speech Topics
Download TopicsCal Ripken Jr. is a baseball legend. But legends aren’t born, they’re made. In this talk, Ripken reflects on his life and career, offering lessons-learned for the next generation and those to come. He shares the values he has lived by, stories behind what it took to keep the streak alive, and what it meant to bring the World Series to Baltimore. Ripken’s message is simple yet poignant, and essential wisdom to anyone trying to forge a successful life in times that are often chaotic. Blending insights from sports, business, and a life well-lived, Ripken outlines eight rules for the game of baseball and life, drawn from the lessons he has learned on and off the field.
A one-of-a-kind athlete, role model, and motivational speaker, Cal Ripken, Jr. talks to audiences about the skills that were key to his success: leadership, loyalty, patience, and perseverance. Using his own experience as an example, Ripken demonstrates to audiences how these qualities lead to success not only in baseball, but in business as well.
Related Links
Just Show Up: And Other Enduring Values from Baseball's Iron Man
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Cal Ripken Jr. on MLB's Challenge Rule: 'I Like It'
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Cal Ripken Jr. helps open new STEM center at Elmer A. Wolfe Elementary School
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Cal Ripken Jr. – Baseball Hall of Fame
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Cal Ripken Jr. discusses impact in community, legendary baseball career with Gov. Hogan
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Cal Ripken, Jr. Visits Tulsa to Celebrate 47 47 Ripken STEM Centers
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Baseball's "Iron Man" Cal Ripken Jr. Now Available for Lectures
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Cal Ripken, Jr.: Celebrating 25 Years Since “The Streak”
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Why Cal Ripken Jr. and Derek Jeter have teamed up in Kalamazoo
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Cal Ripken Jr., Grant Hill among group agreeing to buy Orioles
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Cal Ripken Jr.: ‘Renewed Enthusiasm’ After Joining Orioles Ownership Group
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The Ripken Way: How a Father's Lessons Passed Down Can Help Your Young Athlete Today
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