I was never a huge fan of the guy, although there is no question of his ability and his deserving place in baseball history. Easily the best total package the Orioles had at short. Belanger was a far better glove, but he couldn't have lifted Ripken's bat.

Cal Ripken is the name that most embodies the Orioles, and he is one of the most respected players over the last 25 years. His number was retired several years ago, and I don't think you could find any honest baseball fans to tell you that it shouldn't be.

I do know that when you say Orioles the first image that comes to my mind is the name Ripken.

The way I see it, the following players are 5 stars in terms of being symbolic all time greats of the Orioles- Ripken, Palmer, Brooks Robinson, Frank Robinson, and Eddie Murray, with the following guys at 4 to 4.5 stars-McNally, Singleton, Powell, and Cuellar. Ripken is certainly the most famous Oriole.