Ripken Jr. shares his thoughts on how today's game differs from his playing days during recent interview.
Baseball Hall of Famer Cal Ripken Jr. spent 21 seasons with the Baltimore Orioles and became one of the most beloved players in franchise history, but even he acknowledges that the sport has gone through major changes since he hung up his cleats in 2001.
The Iron Man recently appeared on America's Book Club on C-SPAN and opened up about his perspective on the modern game.
Ripken Jr. Shares Thoughts on Modern Baseball
During the conversation, Ripken offered a thoughtful take on how baseball has evolved since his playing days.
"I don't want to sound like an old player that said it was better when I played than it is now," Ripken said. "It's a little bit different game."
That perspective carries weight coming from someone who compiled 3,184 hits, 431 home runs and 1,695 RBI over his legendary career.
Ripken was a 19-time All-Star and two-time American League MVP who won the World Series with Baltimore in 1983 and entered the Hall of Fame in 2007.
Of course, Ripken is best known for his record-breaking consecutive games streak of 2,632, which shattered Lou Gehrig's mark that had stood for 56 years and earned him the nickname "Iron Man."
How the Game Has Evolved
The game Ripken played looked different from today's version.
When he was winning MVP awards in 1983 and 1991, analytics were barely in their infancy, and players relied on traditional approaches at the plate.
Today, front offices examine advanced metrics like exit velocity, launch angle, and spin rate to evaluate talent, while defensive shifts have been restricted by rule changes and the pitch clock has sped up pace of play.
Starting pitchers in Ripken's day routinely threw deep into games, while modern starters often give way to the bullpen after just five or six innings.
The Orioles' Future
Ripken's former team went through a tough 2025 season, finishing 75-87 and fifth in the American League East. The franchise has made big moves this offseason to return to contention.
Young stars like Gunnar Henderson, who hit .274 with 17 home runs and 30 stolen bases in 2025, and Adley Rutschman give Baltimore hope for brighter days.
The organization recently hired Craig Albernaz as manager and has been aggressive in pursuing pitching help ahead of 2026.
Even as the game changes, Ripken's thoughtful reflection shows legends can appreciate the sport's evolution without dismissing what today's players bring to the field.