We all know the ‘Iron Man,’ Major League Baseball’s Hall of Famer, Cal Ripken, Jr., but we wanted to meet the woman behind the man. We had the honor of sitting down with Kelly Ripken to talk about her aspirations, family and life after the Baltimore Orioles.
Ironically, we met with Kelly on Opening Day at Camden Yards. And, while Cal was watching the first home game of the 2010 Baltimore Orioles season, Kelly was getting ready to watch her son play baseball – a potential ‘Iron Man’ in the making.
CHARMED | What were your aspirations growing up?
KELLY | I wanted to travel all over the world. I didn’t have a lot of money after graduation; I was a communications major at the University of Maryland. So, I worked for the airlines for a short time so that I could travel for free, but then I met Cal, and my life changed.
CHARMED | Who has been your greatest inspiration?
KELLY | My kids come to mind first. My children are older now (Rachel, 20 and Ryan, 16), but I have been able to see the world through their eyes. I would also have to say my parents - they have been together for a long time, and through all of the ups and downs, they are still together, still supporting one another, and still happy.
CHARMED| Did you feel you put your career on hold to support your husband’s career?
KELLY | It is a yes and no question. When I got married and had kids, I never felt that way at all. It wasn’t until the last couple of years, with my kids growing up that I thought “now what am I going to do?” I have done a lot of things in my life and have been afforded many opportunities over the years. But, it is about going back to my roots and asking myself what did I really want to do. Communications is a young person’s job – I am not sure I could enter the field at my age. Ironically, my whole life has been communications and PR. I didn’t give up my career, but now I am thinking about having that ‘one’ thing to fall back on after the kids
are gone.
CHARMED | We have read that it took over 2 years to be diagnosed with Graves’ disease and over a decade to make peace with it. What do you want to share with people who may be suffering from this diease?
KELLY | Graves’ disease is a hyper-thyroid condition - your own antibodies attack your body. Even when treated, it is a condition you will have for the rest of your life. I felt frustration in the beginning; it was a wonderful time of my life (after meeting Cal) and I didn’t feel so good. Then, I was scared because we didn’t know what was wrong with me. At that young age, you feel that nothing bad will happen to you – it was hard to come to terms with having a serious medical condition. I decided to open a program with Hopkins – an educational awareness program - and that really helped me cope. I interacted with people who shared their stories with me, and make me feel that I wasn’t alone. I have finally come to terms with it – it is my one reminder that you can’t have everything in life.
CHARMED | What have you enjoyed most about being married to Cal Ripken, Jr.?
KELLY | Ok, that is a loaded question! I don’t think there is one specific thing – it is all of it – the good and the bad, the ups and the downs. It is the essence of who he is; he is a wonderful father and a compassionate man.
CHARMED | What do you enjoy most about being mother to Rachel and Ryan?
KELLY | All of it. Every bit of it. From the day they were born, to right now, to later on. Each stage is so great, and I really enjoy being a mom. It is the greatest gift in life.
CHARMED | How have you and Cal kept your kids grounded?
KELLY | I think by trying to live as normal of a life as you can being in the spotlight. There is no script for it. Cal and I were raised the same way and came from similar moral backgrounds. I didn’t know anything about baseball before I met Cal. My first game was when he left me a ticket for our second date. I realized there is more to life than just one thing. We stressed that going to the ballpark was still a privilege, it wasn’t a playground and the people there weren’t your friends and family. We did not chose to home
school our children; I made the decision to not have the career and be home with them. Now that they are older, I see the pay off.
CHARMED | You’ll be celebrating your 23rd wedding anniversary in November. What advice would you give to newlyweds?
KELLY | You need to accept the ups and the downs. Nothing will ever be as wonderful as the beginning of a relationship when there is passion and newness of everything. What you learn as you are creating this beautiful life with someone, is that you change as people through each decade, which is a hard thing to deal with for most relationships. You are not the same people as when you first met. You have to be more accepting of each other’s good and bad traits.
Charmed| How has life changed since Cal’s retirement from MLB almost a decade ago?
Kelly| Interesting. Challenging. Good. Different. My expectations of what I thought life would be like when he “retired” was different than the reality. I thought he’d be home and we’d have weekends and dinners together. But, when you retire at 42, you are not really retired and you shouldn’t be. I remember the day he walked off the field; three-weeks afterwards we were home and did nothing. Then, he put on a suit and never looked back. That is just the way he is, he believes in showing up and being there every day.
Charmed| You have been founder, spokesperson, supporter, and served on the board of directors of a variety of organizations and non-profits. What organizations are you currently a part of and hold near and dear to you and your family?
Kelly| I enjoyed working with all of the organizations because each one was unique and special. Of course, the thyroid program is dear to my heart. I have also enjoyed working with the Baltimore School for the Arts. I love the arts and that school and what they do is terrific; everyone who works there is so generous with their time.
Charmed| What is something people would be surprised to know about Cal?
Kelly| Surprisingly, most people think they know him better than anyone. But, he has a wicked sense of humor. He has a goofy side that no one sees; he is very playful and young at heart.
Charmed| What do you like most about Baltimore? What do you think is Charm City’s greatest charm?
Kelly| The greatest charm is to find the treasure in Charm City. I look for out of the way places where I can go in and be myself. Places where people won’t recognize me, or if they do, they don’t really care. I value that, and since Baltimore is my home, I have really explored the area. I would have to say one of my favorites places is “Soup’s On” in Hampden. It is a small little lunch place; a very easy going place. I love the people that work there, and they have the best tuna sandwich in town. Woodberry Kitchen is also a great place to dine; it has an artsy feel to it, and I love that.
CHARMED | What is your secret desire?
KELLY | Cal has been asked on a regular basis to appear on “Dancing with the Stars,” but it is really my secret desire to be on the show. I love to dance. I have taken a couple of lessons locally - I do it quietly and even use a different name.
