Manufacturer: Topps
Set: 1982 Topps Baseball ➡️
Player Name: Cal Ripken Jr.
Position/Team: 3rd Base for Orioles
Card #: 21
Card Size: 2-1/2” x 3-1/2”
Card Values: See Pricing Table Below
Cal Ripken Jr., widely known as “The Iron Man,” is a legendary figure in Major League Baseball, celebrated for his remarkable durability, consistent performance, and a career played entirely with the Baltimore Orioles.
Ripken spent his entire 21-season MLB career (1981-2001) with the Baltimore Orioles, primarily as a shortstop but also playing third base. His most iconic achievement is breaking Lou Gehrig’s seemingly unbreakable record of 2,130 consecutive games played. Ripken surpassed the mark on September 6, 1995, and voluntarily ended his streak at an astounding 2,632 consecutive games on September 20, 1998. This streak, spanning over 17 years, cemented his legacy as a symbol of perseverance, dedication, and a “show up every day” mentality.
Beyond his incredible durability, Ripken was a highly productive offensive player. He compiled 3,184 hits, 431 home runs, and 1,695 runs batted in during his career. Ripken has many accolades and awards including being a 19-time All-Star (1983-2001), 2-time American League MVP (1983, 1991), 1982 AL Rookie of the Year among many others. He also is a World Series Champion (1983).
In 2007, he was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility, receiving one of the highest vote percentages in history.
After retiring, Ripken has remained heavily involved in baseball. He founded Ripken Baseball, which operates youth baseball and softball complexes, and he owns the Aberdeen Iron Birds, a Baltimore Orioles minor league affiliate. He’s also a best-selling author, a public speaker, and has served as a Special Adviser to the MLB Commissioner on youth programs.
This 1982 Topps #21 (Orioles Future Stars) is one of Cal Ripken Jr. true rookie cards. It features Ripken on a multi-player card alongside Bob Bonner and Jeff Schneider.
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Pricing Data For This Rookie Card
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Did You Know? When Ripken broke into the major leagues full-time in 1982, the conventional wisdom of baseball scouts was absolute: men over six feet tall simply did not possess the quickness, low center of gravity, or lateral agility required to play shortstop at the big-league level. Most scouts projected him to move permanently to third base.
Ripken utterly shattered that stereotype. Guided by his father, long-time Orioles coach Cal Ripken Sr., Cal Jr. relied on an advanced, analytical approach to positioning. Instead of relying purely on raw speed, he studied opposing hitters’ tendencies and meticulously shifted his pre-pitch positioning by a few feet or inches depending on the count and the pitcher. His cerebral style allowed him to capture two Gold Glove awards and opened the door for future generations of tall, power-hitting shortstops like Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, and Corey Seager.
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