Cal Ripken Jr.

Everyone dreads going to work or school each morning. Imagine never missing a day for over 10 straight years. That is exactly what Cal Ripken Jr. did. Ripken was an American baseball player that played for the Orioles, but is retired now. He was born August 24, 1960 in Maryland along with his brother, Bill Ripken. Ripken's father played baseball before him, so baseball was in his blood.  What makes him so special is that he never missed a game for over 2,500 games straight. Additionally, after his career he went on to help the less fortunate kids in the U.S. The literal definition of a hero is someone who is admired for his brave deeds or notable qualities. Cal Ripken Jr. isn't only a baseball star, but also a hero for his desire to help kids in need, his motivation to persevere, and his loyalty to baseball.

Ripken is famous for many things and his desire to help kids in need is one of them. The Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation is one thing he did to help the kids in need. "Along with his brother Bill, Ripken established the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation in 2001 as a way to provide underprivileged children with the opportunity to learn the game of baseball and softball. The nonprofit works closely with other organizations that serve underprivileged children, including Boys & Girls Clubs and a number of inner-city schools." ("Cal Ripken, Jr.") Ripken is passionate on  helping those that need the support more than he does. He spends his free time helping the underprivileged learn and participate in sports. Even if it means going out of his way or spending money, he is dedicated to helping. The foundation also does more than just teach kids baseball, additionally, "The Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation helps to build character and teach critical life lessons to at-risk young people living in America's most distressed communities through baseball- and softball-themed programs." (Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation.) Him and his family were the founders of the Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation. The goal of this foundation is to teach unprivileged kids life lessons and build character through baseball. This inspires kids to do good in the world and to also help others. Ripken's desire to help those in need is what makes him a hero. He helps those that need it more instead of thinking of himself.

Ripken has a flame that won't die down, and that is his motivation to persevere. According to many people, "The perseverance, endurance, and everyday work ethic that Ripken exhibited throughout his twenty-one seasons with the Baltimore Orioles made him one of the most popular professional athletes in all of sports." (Laura B. Tyle.)  His motivation and endurance to keep going forward is one of the reasons kids are so inspired by him. Very rarely did Ripken turned his back to a game throughout his 21 seasons of baseball. Additionally, according to Ripken, "Still, there was time for more memorable moments, such as when he collected career hit No. 3,000 early in the 2000 season. Playing in his 19th and final All-Star Game in 2001, he crushed a third-inning home run to win the All-Star Game MVP Award." (A&E Networks Television.) His motivation to keep going forward didn't end after his streak did. He still went on to hit the 3,000 mark of baseballs hit and additionally he won the All-Star Game MVP Award. The motivation to persevere is what makes him such a big inspiration. He doesn't stop when the going gets tough or when he reaches his goal. He surpasses the goal and reaches for the very top.

One of the greatest traits Ripken has is his loyalty to baseball. Ripken is great at baseball, "But beyond his talent, Ripken demonstrated a devotion to his game and to his team, the Baltimore Orioles, that moved him into the pantheon of sport's most notable figures. He became an embodiment of dedication by missing not a single game from his start in 1983 until 1995, when he broke Lou Gehrig's longstanding record of consecutive games played at 2,131." (Salter, Susan.) Ripken proved his loyalty to baseball when he didn't miss a single game for over 10 years straight. Even when the going got tough, he kept his loyalty to the sport. His passion made him one of the most notable figures in baseball. He still shows loyalty by even after his career, "Ripken serves as chairman and CEO of Ripken Baseball, which owns multiple minor league baseball teams and runs youth camps and clinics, among other ventures." (A&E Networks Television.) His loyalty to baseball didn't end after his carrier did. Ripken still went on to teach kids the game of baseball and additionally he owns multiple minor league teams. The loyalty to baseball that Ripken shows it why people look up to him. He didn't stop loving baseball after his career ended and he still went on to help the underprivileged learn the sport of baseball.

As stated above, Cal Ripken Jr. is a hero for his desire to help those in need, his motivation to keep going forward, and his loyalty to baseball as a whole. Ripken has inspired everyone by showing us what can be done if we are passionate enough and believe. At one point he was just a normal kid who had a desire to play baseball. So he put his heart to it and now he's in the hall of fame and one of the greatest baseball players. So if one day you ever stare at something or think about something you want to do, then what are you waiting for. Get it done, because opportunities don't come up for those that don't try.

Works Cited

"Cal Ripken Jr. Biography." Bio.com. A&E Networks Television, n.d. Web. 04 Feb. 2016.

"Cal Ripkin, Jr." UXL Biographies. Detroit: UXL, 2011. Student Resources in Context. Web. 3 Feb. 2016.

"Mission." Cal Ripken Sr Foundation. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Feb. 2016

"Ripken Jr., Cal." UXL Encyclopedia of World Biography. Ed. Laura B. Tyle. Vol. 9. Detroit: UXL, 2003. 1591-1593. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 3 Feb. 2016.

Salter, Susan, "Cal Ripken Jr." Encyclopedia of World Biography. 2004, and "Ripken Jr., Cal." UXL Encyclopedia of World Biography. 2003. "Ripken, Cal, Jr." Encyclopedia.com. HighBeam Research, 01 Jan. 2004. Web. 04 Feb. 2016.