BREAKING NEWS: Former Baltimore Orioles Major League Baseball Legend Cal Ripken Jr. now involved as a minority owner with the Baltimore Orioles, runs the Ripken Baseball company, sent a message to Baltimore Orioles head coach Tony Mansolino and the entire team concerning…see more

In an inspiring and emotional moment for the city of Baltimore, Cal Ripken Jr., the legendary former Baltimore Orioles shortstop and now minority owner of the team, has issued a heartfelt message to Orioles Manager Tony Mansolino and the entire roster as they continue their fight for postseason glory.

Ripken — often referred to as “The Iron Man” for his record-setting 2,632 consecutive games played — released the statement through Ripken Baseball, the player development organization he currently runs alongside his ownership duties with the Orioles.

“To Tony, the staff, and every guy in that locker room — I see the grit, the fight, and the belief in something bigger than yourselves,” Ripken said. “Baltimore is behind you. I’m behind you. This team is ready to make history again.”

🧢 From Icon to Inspiration

Ripken, a Hall of Famer, two-time AL MVP, and 19-time All-Star, has maintained close ties with the Orioles since his retirement in 2001. Though he’s largely stayed out of the clubhouse spotlight in recent years, his growing influence as a minority owner has been a quietly powerful force inside the organization.

His company, Ripken Baseball, continues to nurture young talent across the country, and his recent involvement with the Orioles’ ownership group has rekindled fan excitement and historical pride.

This is the first time Ripken has made a public team-wide statement in years — and the timing couldn’t be more meaningful.

⚾ Orioles Surging Toward Postseason

Manager Tony Mansolino, in his second season as Orioles skipper, has the team performing well above expectations. With a core of rising stars including Gunnar Henderson, Adley Rutschman, and Jackson Holliday, the Orioles are in the thick of the AL playoff race.

Ripken’s message came just before the Orioles’ final homestand of the regular season, as fans prepare for what could be Baltimore’s deepest postseason run since their last ALCS appearance.

“I’ve been in those shoes. The pressure. The noise. The hunger. This team has the DNA of a champion,” Ripken continued.
“Finish strong. And know that every fan wearing orange is proud of you already.”

🗣 Team & Fan Reaction

Mansolino addressed the message during a pregame interview:

“To hear that from Cal? It means everything. He’s a living symbol of what this franchise is about. The guys were fired up when they heard it.”

Players like Adley Rutschman and Cedric Mullins took to social media to express their appreciation, with Rutschman posting:

“Getting a message from a legend like Ripken? You can’t script it better. Let’s go get it.”

Fans at Camden Yards held up signs reading “Do it for Ripken!” and “Iron Man Believes — So Do We!” during pregame warmups.

🔍 A Legacy Still Alive

Ripken’s reemergence as a vocal supporter and now part-owner of the team has given Orioles fans something they’ve craved for years: hope rooted in tradition.

As the postseason approaches, Ripken’s words are already echoing through the locker room, the ballpark, and the city:

“You don’t play for stats. You play for each other. You play for the city. And you play because you believe. Let’s go, O’s.”