Reply to thread

Message: [QUOTE="dogpause, post: 5325070, member: 701"] Cal Ripken Jr. was influential in sports history primarily because of his legendary "Iron Man" record, which showcased unprecedented durability and a throwback work ethic that helped revive baseball's image. His influence also extended to changing how the shortstop position is played and his extensive work in youth baseball. The "Iron Man" streak From 1982 to 1998, Ripken played in 2,632 consecutive games, breaking Lou Gehrig's record of 2,130 that had stood for 56 years. [LIST] [*][B]Healing the game[/B]: In 1995, as he approached and broke Gehrig's record, Ripken captured the nation's attention and helped restore faith in baseball. The previous season had ended with a player strike, which alienated many fans. Ripken's constant, hard-nosed play provided a beloved, unifying story for the sport. [*][B]Emphasizing durability[/B]: Ripken's streak was not just a symbol of attendance but a testament to his dedication and discipline. He played through injuries that would have sidelined other athletes, embodying a commitment to showing up every day. [*][B]Ending with class[/B]: He voluntarily ended the streak at 2,632 games during the final home game of the 1998 season, acknowledging that the focus on his personal record had become a distraction for his team. [/LIST] Redefining the shortstop position Ripken changed the long-held notion that shortstops had to be smaller, faster players with limited power. [LIST] [*]At 6-foot-4 and over 200 pounds, Ripken was significantly larger than the typical shortstop of his era. [*]His success showed that bigger players could handle the physical and defensive demands of the position, paving the way for future tall shortstops like Alex Rodriguez and Derek Jeter. [*]He combined power-hitting (finishing his career with 431 home runs) with Gold Glove-caliber defense, showcasing a new kind of all-around player for the position. [/LIST] Inspiring youth through the game After his retirement, Ripken focused on growing the game of baseball for future generations. [LIST] [*][B]Ripken Baseball[/B]: He founded Ripken Baseball, a company that runs youth baseball and softball complexes across the country. [*][B]The Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation[/B]: Named after his father, a long-time baseball coach, the foundation provides at-risk youth with safe places to play and learn valuable life lessons through sports. [*][B]Baseball diplomacy[/B]: Ripken has served as a Special Public Diplomacy Envoy for the U.S. State Department, traveling internationally to promote the sport and use baseball as a tool for connecting with communities. [/LIST] [LIST] [*]Cal Ripken - Society for American Baseball Research Jan 4, 2012 — Cal Ripken * On a warm September evening in 1995 at Baltimore's Camden Yards, Oriole shortstop Cal Ripken Jr. helped restore America's faith in baseball. The co... Society for American Baseball Research [IMG]https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSbOLtoIEJ3wCxjivfN-ueRJKLdmYsUtz8-tsBOldWwCRJOrLeo[/IMG] [*]Ripken Breaks Gehrig's Iron Man Record - EBSCO Ripken tied Gehrig's record on September 5, 1995, before breaking it on September 6, 1995, during a game against the California Angels. The event was marked by ... [*]Cal Ripken Jr. - Baseball Hall of Fame Along the way, Ripken moved from third base to shortstop despite conventional thinking that said at 6-foot-4 and 200 pounds he would not be able to cover the ne... Baseball Hall of Fame [IMG]https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRbW6hWtbC6Vmjz2DhvBxAJvJHFZ1bLg7WeAGzt7YcefJyDY5wd[/IMG] [/LIST] Show all [/QUOTE]

Verification: First name of men's bb coach