The Top 175: No. 6, Cal Ripken Jr.

Cal Ripken Jr. talks to reporters after a news conference during the winter meetings in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.

Former Orioles players, Cal Ripken Jr. and BJ Surhoff attended the for longtime Orioles umpires' assistant Ernie Tyler, who died Friday at age 86. "He was as much a fabric of the team as anyone has ever been," said longtime Oriole B.J. Surhoff, who retired in 2005.

Former Orioles shortstop Cal Ripken Jr. arrives at the Kentucky Derby.

Cal Ripken Jr. throws to first base after making a diving stop in a game during the 1999 season.

Cal Ripken Jr. acknowledges the crowd as he delivers the commencement address at the University of Delaware.

Baltimore Oriole's owner Peter G. Angelos getting a program as he heads in for Cal Ripken Jr.'s induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame. He is with his wife Georgia.

Cal Ripken Jr. acknowledges the fans' applause as he is introduced to throw out the ceremonial first pitch at Oriole Park at Camden Yards.

Cal Ripken Jr. conducts a quickball clinic at the Xiu Song En Hua School in Beijing. The school was established in 2003 by Shi Qinghua after his son had been badly injured in a fire and was unable to attend school. The humble beginnings have swelled to a school with 104 students, most of whom are orphans or come from economically disadvantaged homes.

Cal Ripken Jr. is congratulated by his father, Cal Sr., as he rounds third base after hitting a home run on Opening Day. Ripken had made his major league debut on August 10, 1981. He compiled 39 at- bats that year, remaining eligible for the American League Rookie of the Year honors that he won in 1982.

Cal Ripken Jr. likely won't be tainted by the controversy surrounding Mark McGwire's eligibility.

"When you first come in as a rookie in the big leagues, it all opens up to you. I'm experiencing that newness now as if I'm a rookie," Cal Ripken Jr. says of the business side of baseball.

Former Oriole Cal Ripken Jr. carries the Olympic Torch on President Street followed by his son, Ryan, wife, Kelly, and daughter, Rachel (blocked).

Cal Ripken, Jr. watches as the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation breaks ground on a youth development park at the Memorial Stadium site.

From left to right, Orioles Hall of Famers Jim Palmer, Cal Ripken Jr., Earl Weaver, Brooks Robinson, Frank Robinson and Eddie Murray pose for a picture after Ripken's induction in Cooperstown, N.Y.

Baseball Hall-of-Famer Cal Ripken Jr. reflects on his life as he approaches 50.

Cal Ripken Jr., owner of the Aberdeen Ironbirds, speaks with Kevin Kiley, host of a new reality show that will feature the minor-league team, which plays at Ripken Stadium.

Cal Ripken Jr., and Eddie Murray stand on the field during a pregame ceremony at Camden Yards celebrating the Orioles' 1983 World Championship team. The ceremony commemorated the 25th anniversary of the team's championship.

Cal Ripken Jr. speaks with Orioles vice chairman Joe Foss and Orioles executive vice president Mike Flanagan after his news conference.

Former Baltimore Orioles great Cal Ripken Jr. watches from the sidelines as the Baltimore Ravens beat the Cleveland Browns 35-0.

Orioles legend Cal Ripken Jr. threw out the first pitch before the Orioles 8-7 win over Tampa Bay at Camden Yards. Ripken was honored on the 15th anniversary of his 2,131st straight game.

Hall of Famer Cal Ripken Jr. signs gloves for children indoors at Camden Yards. Ripken?s trip to Baltimore was the final stop of the Play Ball Tour for Kids. The program, sponsored by the Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation, visited 27 cities in the Midwest and on the East Coast to promote crime prevention and baseball as a way to link children and adults, particularly law-enforcement officials.

Cal Ripken Jr. waves to the crowd during a pregame ceremony at Camden Yards celebrating the Orioles' 1983 World Championship team. The ceremony commemorated the 25th anniversary of the team's championship.

Cal Ripken Jr. and former Washington Redskins linebacker LaVar Arrington listen to speeches during a news conference at Under Armour's headquarters.

Cal Ripken Jr. and Jim Palmer acknowledge applause from the crowd during a pregame ceremony at Camden Yards celebrating the Orioles' 1983 World Championship team. The ceremony commemorated the 25th anniversary of the team's championship.

Cal Ripken, Jr., third from right, and Mayor Stephanie Rawlings Black, far right, participate in a ground breaking ceremony for the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation youth development park at the Memorial Stadium site.

Cal Ripken Jr. tips his cap to the crowd during the game in which he tied Lou Gehrig's MLB record for most consecutive games played. Ripken broke the record the next night en route to 2,632 consecutive games played. The Aberdeen High School graduate won two MVP awards and logged 3,184 hits in 21 seasons for the Orioles.

Cal Ripken Jr. won the American League MVP award twice -- in 1983 (pictured) and 1991. In 1983, he hit .318 with 27 homers, 102 RBIs and 47 doubles. In 1991, Ripken hit .323 with 34 homers, 114 RBIs and 46 doubles. Ripken also won the AL Rookie of the Year award in 1982, hitting .264 with 28 home runs, 93 RBIs and 90 runs.

Orioles legend Cal Ripken Jr. turns 50 on Aug. 23, 2010.

Cal Ripken Jr, Hall of Fame member and former Baltimore Orioles infielder, talks about his decision to travel to Japan to represent the U.S.

Cal Ripken Jr., former Oriole star and Hall of Fame shortstop "The field has aged so well. It set a standard for new ballparks everywhere, and it is still one of the best places in the world to watch a game. The idea of preserving the warehouse and incorporating it into the ballpark really gave it character, the sight lines are terrific, and there aren't many better places around to spend a summer day." 333 W. Camden St. | 410-685-9800 | baltimore.orioles.mlb.com

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Cal Ripken Jr. and first baseman Eddie Murray laugh on the field before Eddie Murray throws the ceremonial first pitch before Saturday night's game.

Cal Ripken Jr. takes in a game from the bench, a rare position during his Hall-of-Fame career.

Orioles legend Cal Ripken Jr. turns 50 on Aug. 23, 2010.

Orioles shortstop Cal Ripken Jr. falls to the ground to avoid an inside pitch from Philadelphia Phillies reliever Doug Jones during the 1994 All-Star Game at Three Rivers Stadium. Ripken went 1-for-5 in the game and was joined by fellow Orioles Mike Mussina and Lee Smith on the American League team.

Cal Ripken Jr, Hall of Fame member and former Baltimore Orioles infielder.

Cal Ripken Jr. conducts a baseball beginner clinic for elementary school students at No. 1 Dahushan Road Elementary School in Shanghai, China.

Iron Man Cal Ripken Jr. is an Orioles Hall-of-Famer and major league perfect-attendance record-breaker. Eliminated in Round 2.

Cal Ripken Jr. pitches to young Chinese quickball players during a clinic held at a school in Beijing.

Cal Ripken Jr. won Gold Gloves at shortstop in 1991 and 1992. Ripken committed 11 errors (.986 fielding percentage) in 1991 and 12 errors in 1992 (.984).

Cal Ripken Jr. conducts a quickball clinic at the Xiu Song En Hua School in Beijing.

Cal Ripken Jr. leaps over the net after playing a tennis match with brother Billy at the 1993 Pam Shriver tennis tournament held at the Baltimore Arena.

Brooks Robinson, left, and Cal Ripken Jr., right, take part in the Orioles' Opening Night ceremonies on April 4, 2004.

Cal Ripken Jr. looks on as a Chinese quickball player attempts to hit a ball during a clinic held at a school in Beijing.

Orioles manager Buck Showalter, left, greets Hall of Famer Cal Ripken Jr. before the start of the game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Ed Smith Stadium. Ripken threw out the first pitch.

Cal Ripken Jr. attends a baseball beginner clinic for elementary school students at No. 1 Dahushan Road Elementary School in Shanghai, China.

Cal Ripken Jr. hoists the Most Valuable Player trophy after the 1991 All-Star Game at SkyDome. Ripken went 2-for-3 with a three-run homer in the American League's 4-2 victory over the National League. Ripken went on to win the regular-season MVP award, hitting .323 with 34 homers, 46 doubles and 114 RBIs.

Orioles Hall of Famer Cal Ripken Jr. signs his latest book during the game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Ed Smith Stadium.

Tony Gwynn and Cal Ripken Jr. hold their plaques after their induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y.

Cal Ripken, Jr., right, claps for people who are being recognized in the audience at the groundbreaking for a youth development park at the Memorial Stadium site.

Cal Ripken Jr. visits the Great Wall of China during his 10-day trip.

Cal Ripken Jr. reacts after getting hit by a ball from a young Chinese quickball player during a clinic held at a school in Beijing. Ripken, named recently as a special envoy for the State Department, is in China to conduct baseball and quickball clinics for Chinese youths and to talk with coaches from Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou.

Orioles legend Cal Ripken Jr. turns 50 on Aug. 23, 2010.

Eddie Murray (right) and Cal Ripken Jr. celebrate after Murray hit a home run in 1988, the last season of the cartoon bird logo.

Cal Ripken Jr. throws out the first pitch at host Tampa Bay's game against Toronto. The Rays and Ripken Baseball announced that they've purchased a Single-A team that will play in Port Charlotte, Fla., starting next year.

Cal Ripken Jr. threw out the ceremonial first pitch in honor of his 2131st game 15 years ago Monday.

Cal Ripken Jr. instructs a student during a baseball beginner clinic at No. 1 Dahushan Road Elementary School in Shanghai, China.

Cal Ripken Jr., poses for a photograph at the youth baseball stadium built by the Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation on the site of the formal Memorial Stadium.

The Iron Man, Cal Ripken Jr., is expected to make it to M&T Bank Stadium Sunday.

"To me, mentally, you can't lose it for one second, and he didn't," Orioles Hall of Famer Cal Ripken Jr., said of Michael Phelps' eight gold medals.

Cal Ripken Jr. throws a ball near Chinese quickball players during a clinic held at a school in Beijing.

The Orioles' Cal Ripken Jr. tries to break up a double play against the Chicago White Sox in the ALCS.

Cal Ripken Jr. conducts a quickball clinic at the Xiu Song En Hua School in Beijing. The school was established in 2003 by Shi Qinghua after his son had been badly injured in a fire and was unable to attend school. The humble beginnings have swelled to a school with 104 students, most of whom are orphans or come from economically disadvantaged homes.

Sun Staff File Photo - 1983 World Series Victory over Philadelphia Phillies - Celebration.

Cal Ripken Jr, Hall of Fame member and former Baltimore Orioles infielder, talks about his decision to travel to Japan to represent the U.S.

Former Baltimore Oriole Cal Ripken Jr. runs with the Olympic Torch in downtown Baltimore. The Olympic Games will be held in Salt Lake City in February.

Cal Ripken Jr. conducts a quickball clinic at the Xiu Song En Hua School in Beijing. The school was established in 2003 by Shi Qinghua after his son had been badly injured in a fire and was unable to attend school. The humble beginnings have swelled to a school with 104 students, most of whom are orphans or come from economically disadvantaged homes.

Cal Ripken Jr. visits the Great Wall of China during his 10-day trip.

Cal Ripken Jr. holds his plaque after being inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y.

Orioles legend Cal Ripken Jr. turns 50 on Aug. 23, 2010.

Orioles legend Cal Ripken Jr. turns 50 on Aug. 23, 2010.

Cal Ripken Jr. gestures to young Chinese quickball players during a clinic held at an elementary school in Beijing.

Craig Sinnott of Westminster shakes hands with Cal Ripken Jr.

Cal Ripken Jr. (right) and Tony Gwynn display their Baseball Hall of Fame plaques after the induction ceremony today in Cooperstown, N.Y.

Hall of Famer Cal Ripken Jr. congratulates Carson Vandeven, left, and Angel Comacho, right, of the Ocala, Fla., team for making to the final of the Cal Ripken World Series. Mexico won, 7-1, at Ripken Stadium in Aberdeen.

Cal Ripken Jr. played his entire 21-year career with the Orioles. Ripken set the major league record by playing in 2,632 consecutive games, and he was inducted into the Orioles Hall of Fame in 2003.

Cal Ripken Jr. checks out the scenery in the corporate village area of the infield at Pimlico Race Course before the 136th Preakness.

Cal Ripken Jr. scoops up a ground ball during infield practice at Miami Stadium. (February 1984)

Orioles shortstop Cal Ripken Jr. tags out the Philadelphia Phillies' Lenny Dykstra on an attempted steal during the 1995 All-Star Game at The Ballpark in Arlington. Ripken, playing in his 13th straight All-Star Game, went 2-for-3 as the National League beat the American League, 3-2. "When you lose," Ripken said, "you have to say it's just an exhibition. When you win, you say you took it seriously."

Cal Ripken Jr. prepares to pitch while young Chinese quickball players attempt to catch a ball during a clinic held at a school in Beijing.

Cal Ripken Jr, Hall of Fame member and former Baltimore Orioles infielder, talks about his decision to travel to Japan to represent the U.S.

Cal Ripken Jr. (left) and the Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation honored former New York Yankees great Yogi Berra (right) last night at the Waterfront Marriott. The event, titled "Aspire: A Tribute to Life's Coaches," also honored famed high school football coach Herman Boone.