With the charm, intelligence, humor, and honesty which have endeared him to his many fans, Cal Ripken, Jr., tells the story of his life, from a childhood spent literally in the chalk dust with a father who was a baseball manager through 15 years of his power-hitting, all-star career with the Baltimore Orioles. Ripken also dissects the dedication to craft it takes to be a shortstop, stands up for what's good--and looks square in the eye what's not so good--about baseball today. of color photos.