# The Closer - Paperback

by **Cal Jr. Ripken** (Author)

**The final book in the out-of-the-park series by legendary short-stop and veteran sportswriter Cal Ripkin!**

Danny Connolly is a back-up pitcher with the Dulaney Orioles. He knows what that means: not good enough to start. When he does get into games, he hasn't exactly been the shut-down reliever the team needs.

To make matters worse his older brother, Joey, is a lights-out high school lefty with a 90-mph fastball who's attracting lots of attention from college recruiters and major league scouts. It's bad enough that Danny's parents seem to fawn over Joey, but now, as his big brother's mound exploits draw more and more attention, Danny's starting to get the _why-aren't-you-as-good-as-Joey_ comments from the Orioles, too.

Lonely and frustrated, Danny embarks on a secret project designed to make his family and teammates sit up and take notice. Aided by a mysterious stranger with an uncanny knowledge of the aerodynamics of a flying baseball, he attempts to learn a new pitch--a pitch no one has ever seen before called "The Terminator."

The clock is ticking as the championships approach. If Danny's audacious plan works he'll be the talk of the league--and more importantly the dependable closer the Orioles desperately need.

Perfect for!  
**★** Little League players  
**★** Reluctant Readers  
**★** Baseball card collectors  
**★** Baltimore Orioles fans

### Author Biography

**Cal Ripken, Jr.** was a shortstop and third baseman for the Baltimore Orioles for his entire career (1981-2001). Nicknamed "The Iron Man" for his relentless work ethic and reliability on the field, Ripken is most remembered for playing a record 2,632 straight games over 17 seasons. He was a 19-time All-Star and is considered to be one of the best shortstops professional baseball has ever seen. In 2007 he was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Since his retirement, Ripken has worked as President and CEO of Ripken Baseball, Inc. to nurture the love of baseball in young children from a grassroots level. His Cal Ripkin Baseball Division is a division of the Babe Ruth League and welcomes players ages 4-12. Cal currently lives in Maryland with his wife and two children.

  
**Kevin Cowherd** has been a writer for the _Baltimore Sun_ since 1987, is nationally syndicated by the _Los Angeles Times - Washington Post_ news service, and is the author of _Last Call at the 7-Eleven,_ a book of selected writings published by Bancroft Press. In 1990 he was honored by the American Association of Sunday and Feature Editors for excellence in feature writing. He currently writes a sports column and blog for the _Baltimore Sun_. He is also a humorist, and an experienced Little League coach. He lives with his wife and three children near Baltimore.

**Number of Pages:** 208

**Dimensions:** 0.6 x 7.4 x 5.2 IN

**Publication Date:** March 07, 2017

**Accelerated Reader:**

**Quiz Name:** Closer

**Interest Level:** Middle Grades, 4-8

**Reading Level:** 5.4

**Point Value:** 7

## Details

- **Price:** 11.99 USD
- **Vendor:** Books by splitShops
- **Type:** Books
- **Tags:** Books by splitShops, Shopify Collective

## Variants

| Variant | Price | Available |
|---------|-------|-----------|
| Default Title | 11.99 USD | In stock |

## Images

- The Closer - Paperback

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> Updated: 2026-07-23