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Calvin Edwin Ripken, Jr. was born in Havre de Grace, Md. on August 24, 1960, into a baseball family. His father was a catcher in the Baltimore Orioles organization before moving on to a coaching position, and briefly a managerial position, with the big league club. Ripken Jr. was selected by the Orioles in the second round of the 1978 free agent draft and joined his father in the major leagues in 1981. The next year, on May 20, he began a journey that would see him shatter a long-standing baseball record that most thought would never be broken: Lou Gehrig's 2,130 consecutive games played streak.

Ripken has had a good major league career. He was named Rookie of the Year in 1982 and American League (AL) Most Valuable Player in 1983 and 1991. He was a perennial starter for the AL in the Major League All-Star Game, beginning in 1984. In addition, Ripken was joined in the Orioles' infield by his brother Bill from 1987 to 1992.

Ripken is married to the former Kelly Geer. They have two children, Rachel Marie and Ryan Calvin.

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