On the Road: A familiar name in Delmarva
Ryan Ripken, Cal's son, is a first baseman in the Baltimore Orioles organization. With that as his reality, anonymity is an impossibility.
Ryan Ripken, Cal's son, is a first baseman in the Baltimore Orioles organization. With that as his reality, anonymity is an impossibility.
"Ripken's not a common name. With this name and being in baseball, you really stick out for people. It is what it is," said Ripken, currently hitting .271 over 23 games as a member of the Class A Delmarva Shorebirds. "You grow up with that and you learn to handle it through the years, and it becomes a little more second nature. It took some time to get used to it, though. For sure."
Ripken, 24, has been immersed in the world of professional baseball his whole life. As Cal's son, Billy's nephew and Cal Sr.'s grandson, how could he not have been?
|
|
"When you're a kid, you know, you look up to your parents," he said. "And my dad, baseball was his job. And I thought that was a normal thing, that a lot of people had the opportunity to do that. And as you get older, you realize that's not the case. I was very fortunate to see a lot of things, a lot of experiences on that level. And did I think that I had any other option to do something? No. At that time you just look at your dad and you go, 'I want to do what he did. I want to play ball.'"
From a distance, such a childhood seems idyllic. But as Ripken grew older, his privileged status as a Hall of Fame scion began to seem as much a curse as it was blessing.
"That was one thing for me, especially with the name and everything: I always felt the expectation to act a certain way and do something a certain way," he said. "And I'd always think about what other people would think. 'What if I don't do well? What's the future hold for me?' And I was miserable for such a long time.
"Growing up, as a teenager, it was really hard that everyone expected you to do something well. And that they compared you to your dad at his peak when you're just trying to figure yourself out. And I always incorporated baseball with myself. So, you know, if I wasn't a good baseball player, then maybe I'm not a good person. Am I?"
But Ripken, a self-described "big guy that has the ability to hit the ball hard and all over the park," was a good baseball player. He was selected out of Florida's Indian River Community College by the Nationals in the 15th round of the 2014 Draft and went on to spend three injury-plagued seasons in the Washington organization. He never really found his footing, and he was released on March 20, 2017. Less than two weeks later, he signed with the Baltimore Orioles.
"I didn't know how I'd feel being with the Orioles, just because of the expectations and pressure. But regardless of where I was, there [were] going to be expectations and pressure," he said. "I was nervous about what I'd feel. Would it be harder or more pressure? It was really the opposite. It's just a testament to the people in this organization for welcoming me in and treating me just like everybody else, and that's the way I want to be treated. I want them to know me as Ryan. However they want to look at the rest of my family members is one thing, but I want them to know me for me."
Ripken's first assignment within the Baltimore farm system was the Class A Short Season Aberdeen IronBirds. Not only was he playing in the Orioles organization, he was playing for a team owned by his father and named, in part, for Cal's "Ironman" nickname.
Ripken played for Aberdeen in 2017, appearing in 51 games. (Gordon Donovan, MiLB.com)
"It's funny, I remember opening night there in the inaugural [2002] season. So it comes full circle when you think of it that way," he said. "A lot of my childhood memories were up there, and I have family up there as well on my dad's side, so it was really good to connect with them again and have their support each night."
Ripken has been a regular presence in the starting lineup for the Class A Shorebirds this season, appearing as a first baseman and designated hitter.
"I missed a lot of time with injuries when I was with the Nationals, and that's a lot of development time," he said. "Right now, being able to play every day and get that experience, it's great because I don't know how good I can be yet. I do have qualities that I think can help the organization. Hopefully, keep moving up. That's the goal."
For now, Ripken seems to be enjoying himself with Delmarva. The team currently sits atop the standings in the South Atlantic League's Northern Division, having won 21 of its first 32 games.
"We're a pretty loose group, and we genuinely like each other. When you like each other, you can go out, and baseball doesn't always feel like a job," he said. "It's a game, and you're just going out and playing with your friends."
Such an atmosphere just may help Ripken come into his own, finally able to shed the "pressures and expectations" that are attached to his instantly recognizable surname.
"I'm super proud of my family and everything they've done. But I want to add my own legacy," he said. "I don't want to be known just as Cal's kid, Billy's nephew and Cal Sr.'s grandson. And baseball comes to an end at some point too, whether it's 20 years, three years, five, however long you play. So, that's another thing I'm trying to get in perspective.
"But it's all good, you know? I'm getting to do something I love for a living."
Benjamin Hill is a reporter for MiLB.com and writes Ben's Biz Blog. Follow Ben on Twitter @bensbiz.
MiLB podcast discusses Anthony, Caglianone at Triple-A
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
These are the greatest Minor League promos happening in June
Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from the Baseball Traveler newsletter, presented by Circle K, is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.
New playoff format coming to 2025 Dominican Summer League
Minor League Baseball announced the 2025 Dominican Summer League (DSL) season will begin June 2 with Opening Day festivities taking place at the Boston Red Sox Academy in Guerra. The 2025 campaign will also see the introduction of the DSL Cup, a new playoff format that will see 16 DSL
Debating best Minor League home caps on podcast
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
The Omaha Storm Chasers' 'Take Meow-t' cat night included a Litter Box Sundae
Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from the Baseball Traveler newsletter, presented by Circle K, is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.
Boston's Triple-A affiliate throws birthday bash for Roman Anthony
With all the hype that has surrounded Roman Anthony over the past two seasons, it’s easy to forget how young he really is. MLB's No. 1 prospect played 70 games at the highest level of the Minors before he could order a beer. But he can now. Roman Anthony turned
Friendly foes, 2024 first-rounders Moore and Caglianone trade first Triple-A homers
For years, Christian Moore and Jac Caglianone laced up their cleats against one another in the SEC. A rivalry that spanned Florida, Tennessee and other landmarks across the South moved to Salt Lake City this week as the Royals and Angels' top prospects got simultaneous Triple-A promotions. So it was
Phillies' Moore, Fausnaught join MiLB podcast
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
Red Sox prospect rips double THROUGH Fenway-esque scoreboard
Red Sox No. 4 prospect Franklin Arias, an infielder for High-A Greenville, REALLY didn’t want to let visiting Asheville score any runs in the top of the eighth inning on Friday night. With runners on first and second base in the bottom of the fourth, Arias showed he apparently held
April's hottest hitting prospects -- one for each organization
The Minor League season is a month old and several of the game's best hitting prospects are off to fast starts. Red Sox outfielder Roman Anthony is tearing up Triple-A (just like he did at the end of last year), Padres shortstop Leo De Vries is leading the High-A Midwest
Check out the best -- and wackiest -- Minor League promos happening in May
Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from the Baseball Traveler newsletter, presented by Circle K, is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.
Orioles' Honeycutt joins The Show Before the Show
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
MiLB podcast coming LIVE to a Somerset this June
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
New ballparks highlight 2025 MiLB road trip stops
Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from the Baseball Traveler newsletter, presented by Circle K, is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.
Minor League Baseball partners with TruGreen
FRANKLIN, Tenn. -- TruGreen, the nation's leading lawn care treatment provider, is proud to announce a groundbreaking partnership with Minor League Baseball that includes activations across all 120 clubs, a makeover of the home dugout in each market, sponsorship of select MiLB team grounds crews, and a new initiative called
Podcast explains why the Syracuse Mets are looking for Jim Morrison
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
Dash im-prom-tu promo and Mets' Suero joins the podcast
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
Minor League Baseball partners with Circle K
Minor League Baseball announced a new national partnership with Circle K, which will see the convenience store giant become the “Official Convenience Store of Minor League Baseball.” During the 2025 season, the Circle K brand will be integrated into the MiLB in-stadium experience through in-game video board assets at most
These 15 moments led to season No. 15 of Minor League road trips
Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from his newsletter is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.
MiLB podcast crew makes Opening Day predictions
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
Everything you need to know for Triple-A Opening Day
First, there was big league Opening Day. Now it's Triple-A's turn to take the spotlight. The Minor League season opens Friday when the Triple-A International League and Pacific Coast League seasons get underway for the first of MiLB’s two Opening Days. And right out of the gates, several of baseball's
Top prospects to watch at Triple-A -- one for each organization
It’s Triple-A’s turn up to bat on Friday. The regular season begins for the Minor Leagues’ highest level one day after the action starts on the Major League side. Fun fact: it’ll be the earliest start to a Minor League season since 1951 (March 27). Double-A, High-A and Single-A will
Here's where every Top 100 prospect is expected to start the season
The 2025 Opening Day prospect roster announcements began last week when the Cubs informed Matt Shaw (MLB No. 19) he was making the trip overseas to compete in the Tokyo Series. Roki Sasaki (No. 1) also received the good news, but his assignment was much less of a surprise. Now
Nationals prospect King joins MiLB podcast
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
Here are the 2025 All-Spring Breakout Teams
Fifteen games, several jersey swaps and countless highlights later, the second edition of Spring Breakout has officially concluded – and it lived up to its billing. Of the 16 contests sprinkled across four days, only one game (Dodgers vs. Cubs) was rained out. Coincidentally, the Cubs were one of two