"As Miguel Tejada attempts to make the switch to third base in 2010 after playing shortstop his entire major league career, he can look to Orioles history for guidance.

Thirteen years ago, another proud and aging superstar made the short but potentially treacherous trip from shortstop to third base at Camden Yards, and did so without difficulty.

It just took time, patience and repetition, said Hall of Famer Cal Ripken Jr.

"I think the hardest part is reworking the thinking about the position," said Ripken, who was the Orioles' everyday shortstop from 1983 to 1996, before moving at age 36 to make room for shortstop Mike Bordick.

"As a shortstop, you have learned it, you have learned all the movements. When the ball goes up, you know where you are supposed to be, where you are supposed to cut off the relay, where you are supposed to line up," Ripken said. "It's second nature. At third, or at a different position, you have to think all over again, 'OK, that's my job now.'"

Tejada, 35, has spent 13 seasons in the big leagues, playing in the field in 1,846 games -- all at shortstop. He did, however, play third in the 2009 World Baseball Classic.

At some point, Tejada said, he expects to seek advice from Ripken and New York Yankees converted third baseman Alex Rodriguez.

If Tejada reaches out, Ripken has a few simple suggestions.

"I think the first [thing] is to fully commit to it, and it sounds like he is," Ripken said. "He has the physical skills to be a really good third baseman, so he shouldn't doubt that. But don't think that you are going to be over there for a little while and then go back to your old position. Fully commit to it and work hard at the things that you need to work hard at. And don't get discouraged."

Ripken said his father, Cal Ripken Sr., the organization's legendary instructor, estimated it took a player about 100 games to figure out a new position. Ripken said that proved true in 1997, even though he had played third previously in the minors and early in his big league career.

"Toward late August, I started to feel much more comfortable and thinking more like a third baseman than a shortstop," Ripken said. "So, it takes a little while to grasp it.""