Best Selling Books by Cal Ripken

Since he retired from baseball in 2001, Cal Ripken, Jr., has devoted his time to coaching kids, including his own son and daughter, who play baseball and basketball, among other sports. With a baseball league of nearly 700,000 kids, ages 5-12, named for him, he has also had a chance to meet and work with countless young athletes. Cal Ripken’s simple yet effective philosophy for helping kids get the most out of playing sports is to keep it simple, explain the "why," celebrate the individual, and make it fun! But Ripken is troubled by what he sees in youth sports: a competitive intensity that removes the element of fun from playing. Now, drawing on his experiences as a father, a player, and a coach to his charges at his youth baseball based organization, Ripken Baseball, the legend offers his insights and advice on how to approach organized sports with your kids to ensure they have the best experience possible, stay fit, and enjoy themselves. Whether you were a star player or a kid who never learned to throw, this book will tell you everything you need to know about sports parenting from the pre-school years to middle school. It covers all the bases, including: Teaching the basics of sportsmanship How an overemphasis on technique or winning can harm your child’s game How to develop a good relationship with your child’s coach The pros and cons of travel teams and club teams The importance of returning the games to the kids and how best to behave as a parent The latest on performance and nutrition Fun games and exercises to do with your kids to encourage them Why most kids burn out on team sports by middle school and how to avoid it Few athletes embody sportsmanship and fair play as perfectly as Cal Ripken. His advice will inspire confidence in kids and parents alike.

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.

An easy-to-read autobiography of Cal Ripken, Jr., third baseman for the Baltimore Orioles. 30+ photos & illustrations.

Every year, hundreds of thousands of children play “Cal Ripken Baseball” in the largest division of Babe Ruth League, Inc. Play Baseball the Ripken Way is the ultimate guide to playing the game, by one of the sport’s living legends. 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.

Mickey Labriogla is the best catcher in the league. He''s got a cannon for an arm, calls a great game, and blocks the plate like a bulldozer with shin guards. But when a hotshot new pitcher joins the Dulaney Orioles, Mickey wonders if it isn''t time to find another position -- or maybe another team. Zoom''s the most arrogant player the Orioles have ever seen. But even Coach Labriogla, Mickey''s dad, seems in awe of the kid''s talent and willing to overlook his insufferable behavior. When Mickey and Zoom find themselves rivals for the attention of the mysterious Abby Elliott, who works the concession stand, any chance the two teammates can get along goes out the window. As the Orioles head to a seemingly-inevitable showdown in the new "Super-Regional" against Zoom''s old team, the powerful Laurel Yankees, the clash between Mickey and Zoom threatens to break the team apart -- and derail a championship season. Praise for Hothead ". . . just the ticket for readers who''ve worked their way through Dan Gutman and Matt Christopher but are still a little shy of Matt de la Pe¿a and Carl Deuker. " -- Bulletin of the Center for Children''s Books "Written with Ripken''s obvious knowledge of the game, Conor''s story rings true, with plenty of good baseball action. If Conor''s not always in good spirits, the novel is, with likable characters, lively baseball action and the usual dreams of playing in the big leagues-in Conor''s case, at Camden Yards. Ripken and Cowherd, like Conor and his Babe Ruth League Orioles, make a winning team. " --Kirkus Reviews

Baseball''s all-time Iron Man, Cal Ripken, Jr., retired from baseball in 2001 after breaking countless records, including Lou Gehrig''s record for consecutive games played. Now, in Get in the Game, he gives us his insights on hard work and success that can be applied on and off the field, based on stories from his exhilarating career in baseball. Get in the Game includes Ripken''s 8 Elements of Perseverance: 1. The Right Values 2. A Strong Will to Succeed 3. Love What You Do 4. Preparation 5. Anticipation 6. Trusting Relationships 7. Life Management 8. The Courage of Your Convictions Ripken is admired not only for his relentless perseverance but also for his unparalleled integrity. From his numerous public-speaking engagements each year to his weekly "Ask Cal" column for the Baltimore Sun, Cal Ripken, Jr., is a sought-after advisor and role model to fans from all walks of life.

Coaching young players, developing their skills, and cultivating a love for the sport may be the most rewarding experience baseball can offer. Cal and Bill Ripken understand this like few others. From their father, Cal Sr., a legend in the Baltimore Orioles organization for 37 years, they learned to play the game the right way. Those lessons, paired with their combined 33 years of big league experience, helped develop the Ripken Way, a method of teaching the game through simple instruction, solid explanations, encouragement, and a positive atmosphere. In Coaching Youth Baseball the Ripken Way, Cal and Bill share this approach to coaching and development. 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 Bill Ripken was once voted by his peers as one of the big league players most likely to become a manager. Cal Ripken, Jr., known as baseball''s Iron Man, is a member of the game''s All-Century Team and a future Hall of Famer. Together, they are proof positive that the Ripken Way is the right way to teach the game of baseball.

Robbie Hammond is the hardest throwing pitcher in the Babe Ruth League. But what good is all that heat when he can''''t seem to find the plate? With Robbie struggling, the Orioles are suffering through a nightmare season, still looking for their first win. Robbie''''s teammates are whispering that the only reason he''''s even pitching is because he''''s the coach''''s kid. They''''ve even given him a new nickname: Ball Four. What the other Orioles don''''t know is that Robbie is still haunted by a fastball that got away from him and injured a batter in last year''''s All-Star Game. Now, with the pressure mounting, he''''s willing to try anything to get his control back, including listening to a mysterious boy who just might hold the key to helping Robbie-and the Orioles-save their season. This third action-packed book in Cal Ripken Jr.''''s All-Star series will have readers on the edge of their seats as they root for Robbie''''s comeback.

Cody Parker is the new kid in school. He''s overweight, scared and hates his new life in Dullsville, Maryland, aka Baltimore, where he''s a target okay, a big target for brutal teasing. But he loves baseball. And despite his size, he plays third base like a dream. Too bad he''s competing for the starting job on the Orioles of the Dulaney Babe Ruth League against budding hoodlum Dante Rizzo, who vows to squeeze Cody''s head like a grape if he beats him out. Life gets even more complicated when Cody''s school, York Middle, is beset by a rash of mysterious thefts, a crime wave that threatens to sideline Cody and ruin a golden season for the Orioles. Will Cody ever succeed in getting people to see him for who he really is?

New York Times Bestseller! Iron Man Cal Ripken Jr.—the 19-time All-Star, World-Series winning legend, American League MVP, and record holder who played 2,632 consecutive games—outlines eight rules for the game of baseball and life, drawn from the lessons he has learned on and off the field. Cal Ripken Jr. is a baseball legend. But legends aren''t born, they''re made. For twenty-one seasons, Ripken took the field day in and day out, through cold, heat, rain, and sometimes snow, playing in more than 3,000 games for the Baltimore Orioles. In 1983, the revered shortstop helped lead his team to victory in the World Series. On September 6, 1995, Ripken did the seemingly impossible, he surpassed Lou Gehrig''s unbreakable fifty-six-year-old Iron Man record, setting a new mark of 2,131 consecutive games—then played another 501 consecutive games. Throughout his career, Ripken was admired for his consistency, hard work, and loyalty. There were successes and failures, but above all was an old-fashioned sense of doing what''s right, every single day. Since retiring in 2001, Ripken has enjoyed a successful career as a baseball analyst, entrepreneur, and author. Now, in Just Show Up, he reflects on his life and career to offer lessons for the next generation and those to come. Ripken speaks eloquently about the timeless values he has lived by: Life is a streak,play the long game; Success and money are not the same; Play fair,win fair. And he shares stories of his legendary father, Baltimore Oriole coach and manager Cal Ripken Sr., what it took to keep the streak alive, and what it meant to bring the World Series to Baltimore. Cal Ripken''s message is simple yet poignant; wisdom essential to anyone trying to forge a successful life in times that are often chaotic. Blending insights from sports, business, and a life well-lived, Just Show Up is the story of an American legend and the principles he has lived by—standards our time needs.

The final book in the out-of-the-park series by legendary short-stop and a veteran sportswriter Cal Ripkin. Danny Connolly is a back-up pitcher with the Dulaney Orioles. He knows what that means: not good enough to start. When he does get into games, he hasn''t exactly been the shut-down reliever the team needs. To make matters worse, he''s playing in the shadow of his older brother, Joey, a lights-out high school lefty with a 90-mph fastball who''s attracting lots of attention from college recruiters and major league scouts. It''s bad enough that Danny''s parents seem to fawn over Joey and barely talk about what Danny does in his games. But now, as his big brother''s mound exploits draw more and more attention, Danny''s starting to get the why-aren''t-you-as-good-as-Joey comments from the Orioles, too. The pressure to live up to Joey''s success is stifling. Lonely and frustrated, Danny embarks on a secret project designed to make his family and teammates sit up and take notice. Aided by a mysterious stranger with an uncanny knowledge of the aerodynamics of a thrown baseball, he attempts to learn a new pitch. A pitch no one has ever seen before. The clock is ticking on Danny as the O''s try to repeat as league champions. But if his audacious plan works and he can master the magical fluttering pitch known as "The Terminator," he''ll soon be the talk of the league -- and the dependable closer the Orioles desperately need.

Corey Maduro should be thrilled about the Orioles going to the big Grand Slam Tournament. But whenever he thinks about playing, he feels sick. For one thing, he''s in a monster hitting slump, which shows no signs of ending. Then there''s Katelyn Moss, who thinks she deserves Corey''s center field job and tries to outdo him at everything. But Corey''s biggest problem is his dad, who turns into a howling, wild-eyed maniac at his son''s games. Joe Maduro ridicules the other team, gets in shouting matches with parents, and screams at the umps when calls don''t go the Orioles'' way. It''s so embarrassing Corey wants to crawl into a hole—except Katelyn would probably dig a better hole and make him feel worse. With Squeeze Play, the best-selling team behind Hothead, Super Slugger, and Wild Pitch delivers another funny and action-packed home run.

Connor Sullivan is an All-Star shortstop on his Babe Ruth team, the Orioles. He can hit and field with the best of them, but he''s got one big problem: his temper. When he strikes out or makes an error, he''s a walking Mt. Vesuvius, slamming batting helmets and throwing gloves. His teammates are starting to avoid him, even his best friend Jordy. His coach is ready to kick him off the team. To make matters worse, things aren''t much better at home. His dad is having trouble finding a new job after being laid off. Money is tight. Connor''s dream of attending the prestigious Brooks Robinson Baseball Camp this summer seems like just that now - a dream. When the sports editor of the school paper threatens to do a big story on his tantrums - complete with embarassing photos - Connor realizes he has to clean up his act. But can he do it in time to regain his teammates'' trust and help the Orioles win the championship against the best team in the league?

Connor Sullivan, All-Star third baseman on his Babe Ruth League team, has a terrible temper and problems at home, but when the sports editor of the school paper threatens to publish an embarrassing story about his tantrums, Connor must make a change.

The Baltimore Orioles are one of baseball''s most historic franchises. Through the words of the players, via multiple interviews conducted with current and past Orioles, readers will meet the players, coaches, and management and share in their moments of greatness and defeat. Dempsey recounts moments from the 1983 World Series championship, the rise of Cal Ripken Jr., and the current team under Buck Showalter. Orioles fans will not want to be without this book.

Baltimore Oriole shortstop Cal Ripken tells young readers how the road to success in any field is rarely traveled overnight. Ripken, who stands poised to break one of baseball''s most sacred records--Lou Gehrig''s 2,130 consecutive games played--shares his thoughts on how success is attained over time, through sustained, day-by-day efforts and victories. More than 50 color photos and illustrations.

The story of how Cal Ripken and the Orioles broke their losing streak of twenty-one consecutive games in 1988.

Cody Parker is the new kid in school. He’s overweight, scared and hates his new life in Dullsville, Maryland., aka Baltimore, where he’s a target–okay, a big target–for brutal teasing. But he loves baseball. And despite his size, he plays third base like a dream. Too bad he’s competing for the starting job on the Orioles of the Dulaney Babe Ruth League against budding hoodlum Dante Rizzo, who vows to squeeze Cody’s head like a grape if he beats him out. Life gets even more complicated when Cody’s school, York Middle, is beset by a rash of mysterious thefts, a crime wave that threatens to sideline Cody–and ruin a golden season for the Orioles. Will Cody ever succeed in getting people to see him for who he really is?

Robbie Hammond is the hardest throwing pitcher in the Babe Ruth League. But what good is all that heat when he can''t seem to find the plate? With Robbie struggling, the Orioles are suffering through a nightmare season, still looking for their first win. Robbie''s teammates are whispering that the only reason he''s even pitching is because he''s the coach''s kid. They''ve even given him a new nickname: Ball Four. What the other Orioles don''t know is that Robbie is still haunted by a fastball that got away from him and injured a batter in last year''s All-Star Game. Now, with the pressure mounting, he''s willing to try anything to get his control back, including listening to a mysterious boy who just might hold the key to helping Robbie''and the Orioles''save their season. This third action-packed book in Cal Ripken Jr.''s All-Star series will have readers on the edge of their seats as they root for Robbie''s comeback.

Corey Maduro and his team, the Orioles, are going to the Grand Slam Tournament, but Corey''s in a hitting slump, is being hassled by Katelyn Morris, and is embarrassed by his dad''s temper at his games.

Mickey Labriogla is the best catcher in the league. He''s got a cannon for an arm, calls a great game, and blocks the plate like a bulldozer with shin guards. But when a hotshot new pitcher joins the Dulaney Orioles, Mickey wonders if it isn''t time to find another position--or maybe another team. Zoom''s the most arrogant player the Orioles have ever seen. But even Coach Labriogla, Mickey''s dad, seems in awe of the kid''s talent and willing to overlook his insufferable behavior. When Mickey and Zoom find themselves rivals for the attention of the mysterious Abby Elliott, who works the concession stand, any chance the two teammates can get along goes out the window. As the Orioles head to a seemingly-inevitable showdown in the new "Super-Regional" against Zoom''s old team, the powerful Laurel Yankees, the clash between Mickey and Zoom threatens to break the team apart--and derail a championship season. Praise for Hothead ". . . just the ticket for readers who''ve worked their way through Dan Gutman and Matt Christopher but are still a little shy of Matt de la Peña and Carl Deuker. " --Bulletin of the Center for Children''s Books "Written with Ripken''s obvious knowledge of the game, Conor''s story rings true, with plenty of good baseball action. If Conor''s not always in good spirits, the novel is, with likable characters, lively baseball action and the usual dreams of playing in the big leagues-in Conor''s case, at Camden Yards. Ripken and Cowherd, like Conor and his Babe Ruth League Orioles, make a winning team. " --Kirkus Reviews

Danny Connolly is a back-up pitcher with the Dulaney Orioles. He knows that "back-up" means "not good enough to start." When he has gotten a chance to pitch, he hasn''t exactly been the shut-down reliever the team needs.To make matters worse, he''s playing in the shadow of his older brother, Joey, a lights-out high school lefty with a 90-mph fastball who''s attracting lots of attention from college recruiters and major league scouts. It''s bad enough that Danny''s parents fawn over Joey and rarely talk about Danny''s games. But now, as his big brother''s mound exploits are drawing more and more attention, Danny is starting to get the why-aren''t-you-as-good-as-Joey? comments from the Orioles, too. The pressure to live up to Joey''s success is stifling. Lonely and frustrated, Danny embarks on a secret project designed to make his family and teammates sit up and take notice. Aided by a mysterious stranger with an uncanny knowledge of the aerodynamics of a thrown baseball, he attempts to learn a pitch no one has seen before. The clock is ticking as the O''s try to repeat as league champions. If Danny''s audacious plan works and he can master the magical fluttering pitch known as "The Terminator," he''ll soon be the talk of the league--and the dependable closer the Orioles desperately need. PRAISE FOR HOTHEAD:". . . just the ticket for readers who''ve worked their way through Dan Gutman and Matt Christopher but are still a little shy of Matt de la Peña and Carl Deuker. "--Bulletin of the Center for Children''s Books "Written with Ripken''s obvious knowledge of the game, Conor''s story rings true, with plenty of good baseball action. If Conor''s not always in good spirits, the novel is, with likable characters, lively baseball action and the usual dreams of playing in the big leagues-in Conor''s case, at Camden Yards. Ripken and Cowherd, like Conor and his Babe Ruth League Orioles, make a winning team. "--Kirkus