Cal Ripken, Jr. | Sports Illustrated | March 8, 1999

I really don’t get involved in perceptions. We’re all different, and that’s what makes it interesting. Being judged on the things beyond what you do as a baseball player-sometimes I don’t think that’s necessarily right. Maybe you don’t have the full story. When I come out here, I look at Albert as a teammate, I look at him as a baseball player. I look at how he comes to bat and how he approaches his job. He’s someone you really appreciate when he’s on your team. He’s a fifty homer guy, a one-hundred forty RBI guy. He wants to play everyday. Who wouldn’t want that? I have a lot of respect for him. Playing against him and watching how he goes about his job. I’m happy I’m his teammate.