"IT WOULDN"T BE MUCH OF A STRETCH TO SAY BASEBALL IS MY LIFE," observes Cal Ripken, Sr. With almost four decades in professional baseball -- as a player, manager, coach, and scout -- Cal Ripken, Sr., has motivated players in all leagues to reach their best, and has mentored two major leaguers of his own, Cal Ripken, Jr., and Bill Ripken. Now culling wisdom from his unpublished classic, The Cal Ripken Baseball Manual for Players -- a veritable instructional bible utilized throughout the Oriole organization for years -- Cal Sr. brings his view from the field to an inspiring guide to the game of life. Cal Ripken, Sr., has worked and played alongside baseball's all-time greats.

But his advice is as down to earth as the dirt in the infield. BASEBALL IS A WALK OF LIFE: The lessons you learn playing baseball can be applied to everyday life. MASTER THE FUNDAMENTALS: All good ballplayers start with the basics, and stick with them to keep their standard of performance high. PERFECT PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT: If you form good habits on the sidelines, they'll be automatic when gametime comes. Good play is habit-forming. USE YOUR HEAD: In baseball, as in life, there is something new to be learned every day. Keep your head up. HARD WORK PAYS OFF: The tried-and-true, old-fashioned American value is as important as ever.

No matter your position in life, you'll learn from Cal Sr.'s principles of batting ("strength, determination, vision, and style") and pitching ("have command of yourself, not just your pitches"). Parents will relate to the four D's -- discipline, determination, dedication, and desire -- that Cal Sr. and his wife, Vi, relied on to raise their children. And everyone will enjoy his wise and witty Ripkenisms -- simple, wholesome truths for combating life's inevitable curve balls. Improve your chances of winning and learn how to avoid mistakes the field and off -- with the lessons from a seasoned pro in The Ripken Way.