Special tribute to Cal Ripken -- VAGazette.com

Special tribute to Cal Ripken

Maker of magical moments leaves imprint for all time
Presence: Forever defined by The Streak, Cal Ripken bows out with the respect of his peers, the adulation of his fans and the uncanny ability to command a stage.
Interactive Cal
Photos
More Ripken coverage

Streak makes Ripken an ironclad great, though he'd find fame even without it
John Eisenberg

IN THE BEGINNING
At Rochester in '81, heads-up prospect
Minors: Before graduating to the majors, 20-year-old Ripken was a student of the game as a Red Wing, earning high grades for consistency and intensity, but he was also a class clown.

OFFENSE
No natural, but still a hit
Bat: Ripken worked hard to become one of the top-hitting shortstops in history, tinkering with his batting stance throughout his career in his constant struggle to stay productive.

DEFENSE
A groundbreaker at short
Glove: Creating the mold for a new, bigger type of shortstop, Ripken compensated for his lesser range with greater preparation, putting him in position to play his position.

THE FAMILY
A pedigree that works
Lineage: Cal Jr.'s famous work ethic can be traced not only to his father, but also to his uncle Bill, the first of the Ripkens to play professionally.

ORIOLES HISTORY
Who's greatest in pecking order?
Debate: For the unofficial title of greatest Oriole, many with ties to the club agree that Ripken, Frank Robinson, Brooks Robinson and Eddie Murray are on the short list.
• Cal Ripken in the Oriole recordbook

THE GAME
As times changed, his show played on
Baseball: Ripken was a reassuring constant as both the Orioles and the major leagues went through turbulent times during the 1980s and 1990s.

CHRONOLOGY
The games, the times
Selected events from Cal Ripken's career and elsewhere in the world of sports from 1978 to 2001

MEDIA
Views from afar as end came near
Commentaries: Sportswriters from around the country praised Ripken's preparation, determination and influence on the game he loved.

HEALTH
His last years were a pain
Injuries: A remarkably healthy run ended after Ripken's back began to cause him discomfort in 1997.

THE HALL OF FAME
Vote may unleash a record landslide
Cooperstown: Ripken is a virtual lock to attain the game's highest honor, possibly with the highest percentage of the vote in history.

ALL THE HITS
From Aase to Zito
List of all 813 pitchers who gave up hits to Ripken

TEAMMATES
Starting in the field
These Orioles players started games in the field with Cal Ripken during his career.

THE NUMBERS
Cal Ripken's career stats
Hitting and fielding statistics

Ripken by the numbers
Breaking down Cal Ripken's career numbers
• Postseason and All-Star game statistics
• Interactive hitting chart
• MLB all-time leaders, sortable