Remembering Dad's Words



How much affect does something a father says have on his children? How long will those words be remembered? Will they reinforce and define the child? Most words are forgotten and the parent is remembered for being loving, encouraging and supportive. Oftentimes the dad is remembered for not being there or not saying what should have been said. Let’s see how Cal Ripken Jr. remembers his father.

Cal Ripken Jr. played baseball for the Baltimore Orioles from 1981 to 2001. He had 3,184 hits, 431 home runs, 1,695 RBIs, 19 All-Star appearances, 2 AL MVPs, 2 Gold Gloves, 8 Silver Sluggers, 1 World Series Championship and he is known as the Iron Man for his streak of 2,632 consecutive games played. This Hall of Fame baseball player is a son of Maryland. He grew up in Aberdeen, MD while his father, Cal Sr., was a professional baseball player.

His father and mother, Violet, shaped him to be the man he is. Notably, Ripken enjoys cooking. His mother wanted to make sure the young baseball player ate well so she wrote out his 6 favorite recipes so that he could cook and eat them while on the road away from home. He still loves cooking today and the kitchen in his Maryland home is a topic of enjoyment.

What about his father? Quality time. During the season his dad worked every single night at the ballpark when Cal Jr. was younger. So, in an effort to have the family together their big meal was during midday. Empowering. “Take care of the family while I’m gone.” Words his dad would say to him after Cal helped lug his dad’s suitcase to the car before going on the road. Affirmation. After working hard at edging the driveway or making sure the lawn was mowed with straight lines in spite of the hills they had Cal’s dad would remark: “Look how good that looks.” Encouragement. “Cal, you have a chance to play pro ball.” Words spoken that still give Cal chills 40 years later.


These words and the love and affection that Cal Sr. showed his son were essential and defining for the man the world would come to know as the Iron Man. They had a fantastic relationship that was formed around the world they lived in and the way they lived. Cal’s father died in 1999. “I still miss him.” Words from the son of Maryland and the son of a loving mom and dad.

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