Baltimore Orioles x Cal Ripken, Jr. [1981-1988]

My first Jersey Sunday post since February, I’ve actually lost the rhythm of how to make these up and rediscovered the groove. Today, you’re looking at my Baltimore Orioles Cal Ripken, Jr. uniform.


Made by Majestic Cooperstown, this was the road jersey during his rookie season in 1981. The neck design is slightly different then what the players wore, but this was the closest thing I could find. Furthermore, nameplates were used for these jerseys back in the day and I really needed one on this. There was only one shop that was able to help me out 100% to the fullest. Thanks again to Pro Image Pickering for the amazing job.


Shortly after the uniform was delivered, I tripped down to New Era and grabbed the matching cap. It’s the exact same style worn by the team in the early-to-late 1980s.



Cal Ripken, Jr. was born and raised in Aberdeen, MD and idolized the Baltimore Orioles as a youngster. He signed with the club after graduating high school and played for their farm team; the Rochester Red Wings. On August 10, 1981, he made his big league start at the age of 21.


The former 3B turned shortstop would impress the league at bat and on the field. In his first full year, he earned the 1982 American League Rookie of the Year Award with 158 hits and a .264 batting average. The next season would be a breakout year for the Maryland native playing in his first All-Star Game and named the 1983 AL Most Valuable Player with 211 hits and a .318 batting average.


That year, the Baltimore Orioles would make their 7th World Series appearance against the heavily favourited Philadelphia Phillies. Shocking the baseball world, the O’s captured their 3rd World Series title. Catcher Rick Dempsey earned World Series MVP. This would be Cal Ripken, Jr.’s first and only championship title.



In 1987, the Baltimore Orioles hired Cal Ripken, Sr. as their manager and called up Billy Ripken from the minors. This was the first time in league history where a father would manage his two sons in Major League Baseball. However, it would be a dismal year finishing 6th place in the AL East with a 67-95 record. Cal Ripken, Jr. would make his 5th straight All-Star Game appearance in Oakland, CA.


The 1991 season would be another breakout year for the starting shortstop. He would receive his first All Star Game MVP Award in Toronto, Canada and finish the season with impressive stats with a .323 batting average, 111 hits, 34 home runs, and struck out only 46 times in 717 plate appearances. Although they finished in 6th place in the division once again, he received his second career AL MVP Award. This was also the final season played at Memorial Stadium, which housed the Baltimore Orioles since 1954. They would move into the newly built Camden Yards in 1992.


On 6 September 1995, ESPN broadcasted one of the biggest baseball games of all time. Cal Ripken, Jr. surpassed Major League Baseball’s 56 year old record for most consecutive games played which was once held by Lou “The Iron Horse” Gehrig. His 2131st straight game was called halfway through the fourth inning. The sold out stadium gave The Iron Man a 20+ minute standing ovation as he ran around the stadium, waving to fans and shaking their hands. This would be one of the biggest moments of the sport and is often cited as the brightest moment in baseball after the lockout 1994 season.
Additionally, the Baltimore Orioles would beat the visiting California Angels, 4-2, with Ripken registering a home run in the 4th inning. At the end of the regular season, he would hit .262 with 17 HR and 88 RBI.


Over the next 5 seasons, the Baltimore Orioles would make only two post season appearances in 1996 and '97, but came up short in both ALCS games. However, Cal Ripken, Jr. would continue to dominate the American League batting no less than .250 and an All-Star Game appearance every summer. In 1996, he broke the world record for most consecutive baseball games played at 2216, which was previously held by Japanese player Sachio Kinugasa. In 1998, he would put an end to his consecutive games streak at 2632 games and by the year 2000, he would join the elusive 3000 hits club.


In 2001, Cal Ripken, Jr. announced it would be his final season. He would play his final All-Star Game at Safeco Field in Seattle, Washington. He would also hit a home run his first at-bat to an applauding west coast crowd. At the end of the night, the American League beat the National League, 4-1. Ripken was named Most Valuable Player, becoming the 4th individual to receive multiple All-Star Game MVP trophies.


Cal Ripken, Jr.’s final game was played on 6 October 2001 against the visiting Boston Red Sox. Although the home team lost 5-1, the 46, 000+ fans of Camden Yards erupted in celebration for their native son.
His career is now embedded in the history books. In 21 seasons, he played 3001 games with a .276 batting average, belting 3184 hits, 1695 RBI and 431 home runs.


Career Highlights and Acheivements:
American League Rookie of the Year [1982], World Series Champion [1983], 2x AL MVP [1983, 1991], 19x All-Star [1983-2001], 2x All-Star Game MVP [1991, 2001], MLB All-Century Team, Nat’l Baseball Hall of Fame Inductee [2007], all-time leader in most consecutive games played at 2632.
At the end of the 2001 regular season, the Baltimore Orioles retired the #8 jersey in his honour.
Also in 2001, he founded the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation. A non-profit organization bringing "vital life lessons to America's most impressionable population, using baseball as the hook to reach kids."


With all the dates coinciding with Cal Ripken, Jr., 24 March 2011 will be one I’ll definitely remember. I had the honour and privelege to meet The Iron Man himself when he signed copies of his children’s book; Hothead, here in Toronto. Quite possibly one of the classiest gentlemen I’ve ever met, it was a also a thrill to hear him say the Toronto Blue Jays were one of his least favourite teams to play during his career.



An exerpt of Cal Ripken, Jr.'s speech as he is inducted into the Nat'l Baseball Hall of Fame.

“I guarantee you you'll feel better.” – Cal Ripken, Jr.