The Only Way I Know

Ripken, Cal; Bryan, Mike

ISBN 10: 0140864628 ISBN 13: 9780140864625

Publisher: Penguin Audio, 1997

Synopsis

The record-breaking Baltimore shortstop provides an insider's look at professional baseball in a candid memoir that describes his youth, all-star career with the Orioles, what is good--and bad--about baseball today, and dedication to his family and the cause of literacy.

About this title

About the Author

Cal Ripken is baseball’s all-time Iron Man. He retired from baseball in October 2001 after twenty-one seasons with the Baltimore Orioles. His name appears in the record books repeatedly, most notably as one of only eight players in history to achieve 400 home runs and 3,000 hits. In 1995, Ripken broke Lou Gehrig’s record for consecutive games played (2,130) and voluntarily ended his streak in 1998 after playing 2,632 consecutive games. Although he finished his career at third base, he is best known for redefining the position of shortstop, and in January 2007 he was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

As the President & CEO of the Ripken Baseball Group, Cal is committed to growing the game of baseball at the grassroots level. Ripken Baseball has built and operates The Aberdeen Project, a baseball complex consisting of Ripken Stadium, home to the minor league Aberdeen IronBirds, and the Ripken Youth Baseball Academy. It also owns the Class A Augusta (GA) GreenJackets and has recently opened The Ripken Experience, a youth complex in Myrtle Beach, SC. Cal is also founder of the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation, which brings baseball to disadvantaged youth across the country, refurbishes fields, and donates baseball equipment to public schools. He lives in Maryland with his wife, Kelly, and their children, Rachel and Ryan.

Mike Bryan has written or collaborated on many books, including Cal Ripken’s bestselling autobiographyThe Only Way I Know, Uneasy Rider, and The Afterword, a novel.

Reviews

Ripken's autobiography is really a baseball lover's book, not just another egocentric sports biography. Ripken embodies much of the spirit of baseball that has been lost with its modern evolution. He describes himself as a guy who loves the game--loves to play the game as his "most-consecutive-games-played" record attests. The choice of narrator for the audiobook, not Ripken himself, but actor Sam Fontana, even keeps Ripken out of the limelight. Fontana's voice is vigorous and youthful as he tells of growing up in a baseball family with coach and manager Cal, Sr., and later his brother Billy. Ripken's delight in learning and honing his game is ably conveyed in the narration. Fontana speaks convincingly for Ripken, and we believe we're getting a first-hand account. R.F.W. (c)AudioFile, Portland, Maine

Cal Ripken Jr. tells the story of breaking the baseball record that few felt would ever be broken: Lou Gehrig's string of 2,130 consecutive major league games played. Sam Fontana gives an excellent reading of this abridgment of Ripken's book (Viking, 1997). This is baseball from the player's point of view: a lot about hitting, about team play, and about the influence of luck, the one essential component of a talented athlete's career. What a nice story! A superstar wants to play every day as long as he can contribute and breaks another record every time he takes the field. He loves the game, loves to play, but has a real work ethic. He's the co-worker who's never absent, the student with perfect attendance. This is a pleasant listen for sports fans of all ages. Highly recommended.?Cliff Glaviano, Bowling Green State Univ. Libs., Ohio
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Edition details

• Publisher: Penguin Audio
• Publication date: 1997
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0140864628
• ISBN 13: 9780140864625
• Binding: Audio Cassette
• Edition number: 1