A 19-time All-Star and two-time American League Most Valuable Player, Cal Ripken, Jr. is best remembered for breaking Lou Gehrig's record for consecutive games played, a record that had stood for 56 years and many deemed unbreakable. Cal was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2007.

Bill Ripken reached the major leagues in 1987, creating the first situation in baseball history that a father had managed two sons on the same team, as his brother played for the Orioles and his father, Cal Ripken, Sr., managed the team. Ripken was a light hitter better known for his fielding skills, although he led the Orioles in batting average with a .291 mark in 1990. He served as their starting second baseman most of his first stint with the team.