Works by
Cal Ripken, Jr.
(Baseball Player, Writer)

Adult

• The Only Way I Know (1997) by Cal Ripken, Jur. and Mike Bryan
  There aren't many Americans who didn't feel a lump in their throat watching Cal Ripken, Jr. take a historic jog around the bases on the evening of September 6, 1995--the night he smashed Lou Gehrig's record number of 2,130 consecutively played games. But, as "the hardest working man in baseball" will tell you, he was just doing his job. And now he tells you just how he does it, why he does it, and how it makes him feel. With the candor and grace that have endeared him to fans everywhere, Cal Ripken, Jr. tells the story of his journey to the major leagues: of his early childhood and life with a baseball manager for a father; his stint in the minors, working his way up from the Rookie Leagues to Triple-A; and finally to the permanent call from Baltimore where he began the drive to an All-Star career. Cal talks with warmth of his mentors and teammates, and with honesty of the Orioles' roller-coaster ride from the pennant to a lamentable 0-21 start in the eighties. He reveals his innermost thoughts on the game, and leads us through his strategies at the plate and on the field. Best of all, Cal reveals what makes him tick: his commitment to the game, to his family, to his career, and to the team. In this rich and rewarding memoir, we find out why he's credited with putting the "great" back into America's greatest game: it's the only way he knows.

• Play Baseball the Ripken Way: The Complete Illustrated Guide to the Fundamentals (2004) by Bill Ripken, Cal Jr Ripken, and Larry Burke
  Baseball is America’s national pastime, but that doesn’t mean we’re all born naturals. Kids of all ages (and their parents) are eager to improve specific skills, and now they can learn from one of the most respected baseball families in history. Cal and Bill Ripken have written a thoroughly illustrated instructional book that clearly explains proper baseball fundamentals—hitting, fielding, baserunning, pitching, and much more.
  
  Based on the teachings of the late Cal Ripken, Sr., a player, coach, manager, and scout in the Baltimore Orioles system for thirty-seven years, Play Baseball the Ripken Way shows players just what they need to do to be their best while maintaining a sense of fun and accomplishment with every new lesson. The Ripken Way consists of the following principles:
   

  • *Keep It Simple: Teaching that is too complicated is difficult to remember and can result in frustration.

  • *Explain Why: A teacher who cannot explain why is not truly teaching. Lessons that make sense will stick with players.

  • *Celebrate the Individual: No two players are alike, so why treat them as if they are?

  • *Make It Fun: The game gets serious enough quickly enough on its own. Drills and instruction should be structured so that players can enjoy themselves while learning.

  The book also includes tips for parents and coaches, practice workouts, and drills for players of every level.

• Coaching Youth Baseball the Ripken Way (2007) by Bill Ripken, Cal Jr Ripken, and Scott Lowe
  Whether you're teaching your children at home, managing the local travel team, or working with high school-level players, Coaching Youth Baseball the Ripken Way will help you make a difference both on and off the field, with these features:

  • More than 50 drills covering defense, hitting, pitching, and baserunning

  • Age-specific practice plans for players ranging from 4 to 15+

  • Strategies for setting goals and reasonable expectations for your players and team

  • Advice on communicating with parents, players, and staff

  • Methods for creating a positive and fun environment in which kids can learn the skills and strategies of the game

• Cal Ripken, Jr. My Story (1999) by Cal Ripken and Mike Bryan with Dan Gutman, Adapter
  Cal Ripken, Jr.'s autobiography The Only Way I Know was published in 1997 to rave reviews by critics and fans alike. Publishers Weekly called it "an unusually good sports autobiography that captures the candor and generous spirit of [the] man," while Booklist called it "superior....Excellent baseball fare." Now this number one best-seller has been adapted for children sure to score a hit with young readers. For readers aged 8-12, this adaptation by popular children's sports writer Dan Gutman traces Cal Ripken's life from his childhood in a baseball family to his rise through the minors to his career with the Baltimore Orioles, where he hasn't missed a game since 1982. Ripken's reflections on the fame that came when he broke Lou Gehrig's record of 2,130 consecutively played games will be of special interest to young readers, as will his thoughts on the ame—breaking a slump, the importance of knowing the basics, and more. Cal Ripken, Jr.: My Story contains the complete 16-page photo insert from The Only Way I Know.  Ages 9-12

• Cal Ripken, Jr.: Play Ball! (1999) by Cal Ripken (Author) and Mike Bryan with Gail Herman, Adapter and Stan Silver, Illustrator
  A simple biography of the highly honored player for the Baltimore Orioles, who in 1995 broke the record for playing the most games in a row. Ages 4-8

• The Longest Season (2007) by Cal Ripken Jr. with Ron Mazellan, Illustrator
  Even with a 12-0 loss to start the ’88 season, Cal Ripken, Jr. had plenty of reasons to love being a Baltimore Oriole. He was playing alongside his brother Bill, and his father, Cal Sr., was managing the team. They’d win the next one. But the Orioles didn’t win their next game, or the next, and soon what was supposed to be a dream season for Cal slid into a nightmare of losses no one saw coming.
  With brilliant and expressive color paintings from Ron Mazellan, future hall-of-famer Cal Ripken, Jr. shares the ups and downs of the Orioles’ record 21-game losing streak, and reflects on the rewards of hard work, regardless of what’s on the scoreboard.  Ages 4 to 8)

See Also:

• Cal Ripken, Jr. (1985) by Ray Buck

• Cal Ripken Jr. (1992) by Richard Rambeck
  A biography of record-setting shortstop, Cal Ripken, Jr.

• Cal Ripken Jr.: Oriole Ironman (1992) by Stew Thornley
  A biography of the Baltimore Orioles team member known for his play as shortstop.

• Cal Ripken, Jr.: Quiet Hero (1993) by Lois Nicholson
  Biography of Orioles' shortstop Cal Ripken that highlights his career and emphasizes his development as a role model.

• Sports Great: Cal Ripken, Jr. (1993) by Glen MacNow
  A biography of the superstar shortstop for the Baltimore Orioles. Ages 9-12

• Cal Ripken, Jr. (1994) by Bill Morgan
  Ages 4-8

• Cal Ripken, Jr. Star Shortstop (1994) by Glen MacNow and Jeff Savage
  Ages 9-12

• Iron Man (1995) by Harvey Rosenfeld
  From May 30, 1982, until 1997, Cal Ripken, Jr., didn't miss a game, a marathon performance during which he won the 1982 Rookie of the Year Award, two American League MVP awards, an All-Star Game MVP award, two Gold Gloves, and a World Series title. In 1995 he succeeded in toppling baseball's most unbreakable streak of 2,130 consecutive games played.

• Ripken (1995) by Cal Ripken, Jr. with Mark Vancil, ed. and Walter Iooss, Photorgrapher
  Takes you into the clubhouse and between the baselines with the future hall-of-famer.

• Greg Maddux, Cal Ripken, Jr. (1996) by Richard J. Brenner

• Cal Ripken, Jr.  (1997) by Jim Campbel
  A biography of the Baltimore Orioles' shortstop who earned the nickname "Iron Man" in 1995 when he broke Lou Gehrig's record for most consecutive games played.  Ages 9-12

• Learning About the Work Ethic from the Life of Cal Ripken, Jr. (1997) by Jeanne Strazzabosco
  A brief biography of the short stop for the Baltimore Orioles, focusing on the hard work that he has put into his baseball career. Ages 9-12

• 9 Innings With Cal Ripken Jr.: By the People Who Know Him Best. (1998) by Alex Rodriguiz and Earl Weaver

• Baseball's Iron Man: Cal Ripken JR. -- a Tribute (2007) by Jeff Seidel
  This book offers a look at one of the most beloved athletes in Baltimore history through the eyes of fellow colleagues, including Rick Dempsey, Dave Schmidt, and Terry Crowley. They pay tribute to Ripken while providing little-known stories and anecdotes about one of baseball's most legendary players.