SEPTEMBER 20, 1998 | BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – Cal Ripken didn’t play for the Baltimore Orioles on this date in 1998, the first time he was not in the lineup in over 16 years. It marked the end of his 2,632 consecutive game streak, a record Ripken held since breaking Lou Gehrig’s 2,130 game streak on September 5, 1995.
So, Cal Ripken is best known for the streak, but how good a ballplayer was he?
Pretty good.
- 431 career home runs (the most by a shortstop – 345)
- 3,184 hits (14th all-time)
- 1,695 runs batted in (averaged 81 per year over 21 years)
- 1,647 runs scored
- .276 lifetime batting average
- Started 17 all-star games at short
- Two-time Most Valuable Player
Cal Ripken was exceptional and durable, while playing one of the most demanding positions on the field for most of his career — shortstop. It’s unlikely his streak will ever be broken. The closest any active player has come is Miguel Tajada who played in 1,152 straight games, but that streak ended in June 2007.
Then again, they said Gehrig’s streak would never be broken.
Contributing sources:
Career stats leaders (Baseball Reference)
Ripken’s last game (Baseball-Almanac)
