"You might think that I live, eat and sleep baseball, and there's a lot of truth to that, but I also love reading. I read sports books, of course, but I also enjoy a good mystery or novel, history or other nonfiction, and lately even philosophy.

"I especially love sharing books with my children. By reading to them, I'm able to show them how important -- and fun -- reading is. To find out for yourself, try opening a book. It's . . . "The Only Way I Know."

-- Cal Ripken Jr., Oriole third-baseman and author of "The Only Way I Know"

Pub Date: 06/20/99