He doesn't have a ton of homeruns or 300 wins, but isn't he what baseball is really about? Showing up, not complaining and doing your job? He played for the love of the game. Was loyal to his team and didn't have the show me the $$$ attitude. I am a braves fan but Cal Ripken Jr. is who I most respect to have ever played the game. A-rod is a clown and a shady player at times. Whatever happened to just playing the game?
2007-06-06 12:21:10 · 10 answers · asked by cmw4u2have 1 in Sports ➔ Baseball
Ripken was a great player, and it's admirable that he showed up to work every day. However, he also showed a great deal of selfishness in that he refused to take a day off, even when managers suggested he do so, and he did not react well privately to making the move away from the shortstop position. A great guy most of the time, but not perfect.
Alex isn't anyone I'd look to as a role model, with his stupid bush-league antics (yelling at the fielder on a popup, trying to knock the ball out of a fielder's glove) or even worse off-field behavior (with the stripper in Toronto recently). However, he's still a much better player than was Ripken.
Who would I rather spend time with? Ripken, no doubt. But if I had to pick a player, I'd go with A-Rod.
2007-06-06 12:30:21 · answer #1 · answered by Craig S 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No, he is overlooked because he should be! For all the good Cal has done in being a quality professional in every aspect of the word, his baseball stats simply aren't that spectacular. He is best known for winning baseball's equivalent of the "perfect attendance award"! To be mentioned alongside the all-time greats, you would probably mention 20-30 people before you got to Ripken........baseball is and always has been about statistics....its why there is such an uproar with the steroids because Bonds is going after all time records, and people don't like it because its the stats that matter.....and in that regard, Cal just doesn't measure up!
2007-06-06 14:02:35 · answer #2 · answered by Jon 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
By himself, no. But he used to be a beginning, starring member of the 1983 World Series champion Baltimore Orioles. 1983 used to be a well 12 months for Cal. He used to be decided on as an All-Star backup, took residence the AL Silver Slugger for shortstop, led the league in hits, doubles, and runs scored, began all 162 video games of the consistent season, all 4 of the ALCS (O's knocked off the White Sox, three-one million) and all 5 of the World Series (over the Phillies, four-one million). He additionally gained the AL Most Valuable Player Award and ran his then some distance wanting Gehrig streak to 280 video games. And, as famous, the Orioles claimed the championship. Yeah, well 12 months.
2016-09-06 00:03:24 · answer #3 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Be serious. The best player ever was Babe Ruth. Ripken cannot match the Babe's sheer dominance as both a pitcher and a hitter. Not to mention his charisma, which saved organized baseball after the 1919 black sox scandal.
Just a reminder of the Babes #s:
.342, 714, 2217, .474 OBP, .690 SLG
94-46, 2.28
2007-06-06 15:02:16 · answer #4 · answered by Tom 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There have been other class acts as well.
For instance:
1. Dale Murphy
2. Willie Stargell
And dont forget the SI nicest player's poll by players.
Sean Casey wins by far at 46%
Jim Thome & Mike Sweeney are 2nd at 7%
At the bottom of the poll are the least liked:
1. Bonds 26%
2. Kent 20%
3. Pierzynski 13%
4. A-rod at 10%
2007-06-06 13:30:41 · answer #5 · answered by IamCount 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
While Cal Ripken was great, it's hard to say he was the greatest player ever. My vote for greatest player ever will always go to Babe Ruth, for the simple fact that he was a dominant pitcher and a dominant hitter. There's no other player like that ever. I do get what you were saying. But is he overlooked for how great he was? I don't know. He was as close as any one's ever gotten to being a unanimous vote for the Hall of Fame.
2007-06-06 12:31:13 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have great respect for Ripken because he brought people and interest back to the game. Because of the strike, people were indifferent towards the game. The streak and most importantly his class and respect for the game brought fans back. Forget the numbers, this feat makes him an important person in the history of the game.
2007-06-06 14:49:56 · answer #7 · answered by fly86 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He is my favorite non-Yankee player of all time. Mainly because he just loves the game, never complains, and is a class act. But ur right, his stats don't always jump out at u... but this is a guy one would have to see play day-to-day to witness his greatness.
2007-06-06 12:43:09 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cal is still the Man..it seemed like he didn't make a bad throw the first 15 years in the league
he carries himself well even today.
.I met him once and he had two Budweisers..not milk in his hands
2007-06-06 12:32:40 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think he is considered more of one of the most admirable players of the game or one of the best team players. I guess because he is not as scandalous as Bonds, it is easier to forgot his name. I don't think that's fair though. So yeah, I would say he is overlooked at times.
2007-06-06 12:30:04 · answer #10 · answered by lyzz 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋