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Ripken looks to carve his own niche in pro baseball
By Steve ruman
NILES
His goal is to make a name for himself. So much so that he politely tells reporters that he prefers not to answer questions about his last name or his dad’s career.
Yet he also knows that when fans show up at the ball park and see “Ripken” on the back of a jersey, well ...
His name is Ryan Ripken, but in baseball circles he is often known as the son of Cal Ripken Jr.
Cal Jr. played 21 years for the Baltimore Orioles. He played in a record 2,632 consecutive games.
Ripken — Ryan, that is — is an infielder for the Auburn Doubledays. On Wednesday he manned first base when the Doubledays beat the Scrappers 4-2 in front of 1,854 fans.
Ripken went 2 for 5 with a triple and a run scored. The Doubledays trailed 2-0 after five innings, but scored single runs in each of the next four innings to even the series at one game apiece.
Ripken was selected out of high school by the Orioles in the 20th round of the 2012 MLB draft. He opted for college and attended South Carolina, then was tabbed by Washington in the 15th round in 2014.
A series of ankle injuries plagued Ripken the first two years of his professional career. Now on the mend, he began this season with Class A Hagerstown. In 43 games, he posted a .190 average with 10 home runs and 21 RBI.
With the Doubledays, Ripken is hitting .275 with five RBI.
“It’s definitely a learning experience,” Ripken said of his first season in the New York-Penn League. “Baseball is funny because even the best of players fail (at the plate) more often than not. Then, as you move up the ladder things just get tougher and tougher.”
Being the son of baseball’s ultimate Ironman, Ripken understands the irony of having to deal with injuries in back-to-back seasons to start his career.
“Just like with life, you never know what is going to happen from one day to the next in baseball,” Ripken said. “Having to deal with a few injuries right out of the gate isn’t the most ideal thing that can happen, but unfortunately it’s a part of the game.
“Right now, the goal and the dream of playing in the big leagues is still alive, and that’s all I can ask for.”
Ripken’s injuries also made him even more appreciative of his dad’s career.
“Even if you’re completely healthy, it’s a daily challenge,” Ripken said. “Baseball people always use the term ‘grind,’ and that’s just what it is. It’s a daily grind from the moment you wake up until the time you leave the park.
“Fans see the players put in the three-hour games. That’s just a small fraction of the time players at this level put in. But, it’s worth the effort. We love and are thankful for the opportunity.”
Ripken was eight-years-old when his dad retired. His earliest memories of the game revolve around hanging around the Orioles clubhouse and attending games on a nightly basis.
“I knew early on that playing pro ball would be a really cool way to make a living, but I also learned that it’s extremely hard and the odds are against even some of the best,” Ripken said.
As for having to deal with comparisons?
“Yeah, I know that it’s always going to come up,” Ripken said. “The name is recognizable. So the expectations are always going to be there. I just have to put that aside and play for myself instead of my family’s name.”