The Only Way I Know [Hardcover]

Mike Bryan (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 1997

The record-breaking Baltimore shortstop provides an insider's look at professional baseball in a candid memoir that describes his youth, all-star career with the Orioles, what is good--and bad--about baseball today, and dedication to his family and the cause of literacy. 300,000 first printing. $200,000 ad/promo. Tour.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

After the disillusioning 1994 strike, Baltimore Oriole Cal Ripken made baseball seem like the all-American sport again when he played his 2131st consecutive game, breaking Lou Gehrig's record, on September 6, 1995. His surprisingly introspective autobiography reveals him as an old-fashioned guy who believes in the work ethic and doesn't mince words when assessing the state of contemporary baseball, which in his estimate is driven more by financial considerations than dedication to craft. Ripken's love of family comes across as strongly as his love of baseball.

From Library Journal

This autobiography of all-star shortstop Ripken is infused with family values.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 326 pages
• Publisher: Viking Adult; 1 edition (May 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0670871931
• ISBN-13: 978-0670871933
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.2 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,692,213 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great for the fan but best for the young want to be athlete!, July 8, 2000

By 

Bernadette A. Moyer (Lutherville, MD USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Only Way I Know (Hardcover)

This book shows the ordinary life of this talented and driven athlete. Should inspire and confirm that everyday effort and hard work makes for success. You will find Cal's boyhood stories and read about his entire family's passion for the game. The role model his father afforded him. There are stories about his wife and children and his genuine competitive spirit. I was struck by the ordinary upbringing and the seemingly level headedness that he has maintained throughout his success. I am a fortunate season ticket holder who attends many games. And I am always amazed at the class and level of integrity that Cal seems to possess. Even as a local and available to many reports on Cal at play and with charitable events, this book still offered an interesting read. You will also find a section of color personal photographs.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars .225 at Best, May 28, 1999

By 

T. Sunderland (Hong Kong) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Only Way I Know (Hardcover)

Anyone who has read George F. Will's extremely comprehensive analysis of the game, 'Men At Work,' will be somewhat disappointed by this book. Having read 'Men At Work' many years ago, I may have been jaded thinking Cal would present the same observations at the same level GFW did. Sure, Cal shares his private feelings (family, charity work, etc) with us and an all-to-short analysis of the Birds tumble to mediocrity over the years, however there's far too much time spent on 'boys' stuff (wrestling, practical jokes) and not enough on the beauty and technical-side of the game which Mr. Will brought out of Cal in his book. That said, it is a ghosted autobiograpy (and not altogether too well-edited) and Cal's story, which Cal presented, 'the only way he knows' I suppose. He is, nonetheless, a joy to watch in play.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Inside the mind of a baseball great, July 8, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: The Only Way I Know (Hardcover)

Growing up in Baltimore, I can't recall watching an O's game without Ripken in the lineup. If you've ever wondered how Cal thinks and treats the game of baseball, you'll enjoy this book. Ripken reveals how he analyzes players and systems, how he treats "the streak", how he deals with a slump, and how he views life in general. The book won't change your life, but if you're a Ripken fan, an Orioles fan, or just a baseball fan, you'll enjoy it