“We wanted a brand ambassador with whom consumers would positively identify the benefits of our tankless water heaters - quality, dependability, reliability and superior performance - and Cal Ripken ranked at the top of our list, and with consumers nationwide,” said Ervin Cash, executive vice president of Rinnai. “Cal is respected by all for his character, leadership, consistency, reliability and tireless superior performance. We’re proud to have Cal as part of the Rinnai team and look forward to working with him to introduce Rinnai to new markets and customers.”  

As part of the agreement, Ripken will appear in print, radio, television and online advertisements for Rinnai’s tankless water heating units, as well as make selected appearances on the company’s behalf.

Following a decorated Hall of Fame caliber career, Ripken holds the distinguished record as baseball’s “Iron Man” for playing in 2,632 consecutive games, more than any other player in baseball history. Since his retirement from baseball in 2001, Ripken has continued to be active in the sports world. He and his brother, Billy, are hosts of a baseball talk show on XM Satellite Radio, which is sponsored by Rinnai.  

Additionally, Ripken owns two minor league baseball teams, the Aberdeen IronBirds (a Maryland-based affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles) and the Augusta GreenJackets (a Georgia-based affiliate of the San Francisco Giants). He also helped found the Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation, a nonprofit organization that makes baseball and softball programs available to underprivileged kids. In addition to offering clinics, the foundation presents coaching and mentoring workshops, and awards equipment grants.

In August 2007, Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice named Ripken a Special Sports Envoy for the U.S. State Department.  In that capacity, Ripken visited China in October to conduct several baseball clinics and visit schools to spread the universal language of sport.