Cal Ripken Breaks Lou Gehrig's Consecutive Game Streak
Baseball has been Americas sport and pastime since the moment it was first created. Dating all the way back to 1839 when the sport first became known as “baseball” there have been many memorable moments throughout its past. One of the most memorable moments in baseball history occurred on September 6th 1995 when Cal Ripken broke Lou Gehrig’s consecutive games played streak. This record is arguably one of the most challenging records to break due to all the uncontrollable factors that are present in the game of baseball and individual players lives.
Cal Ripken Jr. was born on August 24, 1960 in a small town in Maryland called Havre de Grace. Cal was born to Calvin Sr. and Viola Ripken, neither of them knew he would grow up to be the man he is today. Over the years Cal acquired the nickname “Iron Man” due to his persistence in playing in every single Major League Game and never missing a single one. Cal Ripken made his Major League Baseball debut in 1981 while playing for the Baltimore Orioles. Later that season Cal was named rookie of the year for his outstanding performance and attitude towards the game. Since Cal Ripken's first day in the Major Leagues he's been a spectacular player to watch and cheer for. Cal Ripken has acquired many records throughout his career but the one spectacular and most honorable record that Cal holds is the consecutive games played streak. This record was previously held by Lou Gehrig which stood for 56 years. Lou had played 2,131 games consecutively which at that time people though would never be broken until Cal came along.
Major league Baseball defines the rules of this streak in section 10.23(c) of the official baseball rulebook. The rul...
... middle of paper ...
...aseball's new Iron Man.”
Eventually Ripken’s streak came to an end on September 19, 1998 when he chose to remove himself from the lineup. When Ripken was asked why he ended his streak he said "I was going to take the last day of the season off in Boston, but I thought about it a long time and decided if this is going to end, let it end where it started in Baltimore.” His 17 year streak ended at 2,632 games which to this day is said to forever be unbreakable. Ripken was given the nickname “Iron Man” and it has now become apart of his life. Cal Ripken said "The consecutive games played streak has become my identity; it's who I've become.” Ripken will forever go down in the history books as one of the best to have played in baseball history. His consecutive game record will remain his for many more years and that moment on September 6, 1995 will never be forgotten.
When asked to name great hitters, fans would probably mention the likes of Babe Ruth, Hank Aaron, Willie Mays, Mickey Mantle, and Ted Williams. It would not come as a surprise if they forgot to include the Georgia Peach, Ty Cobb, on their list. The reason for their forgetfulness stems from the era in which Cobb played. Beginning his career in 1905, Cobb played baseball through the period dubbed “the dead ball era.” During this era (1900-1919), players hit marginally fewer homeruns than players from other eras. The reason for this homerun shortage resulted from the baseball used at the time. Indeed, the ball had no life. Loosely wound, one baseball often served throughout an entire game. Moreover, larger ball fields also kept the homerun totals down (“1900-1919”). Legal pitches also included the spitball, a terrib...
He was loyal to his city of Baltimore. He never left if more money was offered. In 1995 he broke Lou Gehrig’s 2,130 games by playing 2,218 games in a row. According to World Book, Cal ended his streak of 2,632 consecutive games when he chose not to play in the game of September 20, 1998.
“In 1946, there were sixteen Major League Baseball teams, with a total of 400 players on their rosters, every one of the players was white. But when opening day came in 1947, that number dropped to 399, and one man stood apart. (42 2:30)” Jack Roosevelt “Jackie” Robinson made his Major League Baseball debut on April 15, 1947, as a member of the Brooklyn Dodgers. Making Jackie Robinson the first African-American to play Major League Baseball (MLB). Jackie’s transition from the Negro Leagues to MLB was not an easy one. As a player, he transitioned very well, but it was Robinson’s teammates, Dodgers fans, the opposing teams and their fans that tested Jackie every chance they got, some hotels even prohibited the Dodgers to stay in their establishments
1994–95 Major League Baseball strike. (2013, November 9). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 17:14, November 29, 2013, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=1994%E2%80%9395_Major_League_Baseball_strike&oldid=580905114
He spent most of his 24-year career playing with the Reds, Rose also played with the Phillies and the Expos. In 1985, Rose broke one of the most “unbreakable” records of all time, by passing out Ty Cobb for the most career hits ever (Sports Illustrated). Rose holds many records, some of which are: most games played, most at bats, and most singles by a major league baseball player.... ... middle of paper ...
Although often overshadowed in baseball history by Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb is considered by many sports enthusiasts to be the greatest player to ever play the game of baseball. Tyrus Raymond Cobb, was born December 18, 1886 in Banks County in Narrows, Georgia. He quickly gained much notoriety for his great skill in baseball and eventually earned a position with the Detroit Tigers at the age of nineteen, after playing for several semi-pro and Sally league teams. Cobb compiled twelve batting titles, a .367 career average, and totaled 4191 hits (second all-time) in a career that spanned twenty-two years (1905-1928). With these and other superb achievements, Ty was inducted as the first member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1936, receiving more votes the Babe Ruth and Honus Wagner. As Cobb aged, his physical condition worsened and he developed terminal cancer. He eventually died July 17, 1961 in Atlanta, Georgia at the age of seventy-four.
Throughout the course of American history, there have been copious amounts of famous speeches, spoken by many different people. From political figures to sports players; these people have provided deep thoughts and great insights about who they are and the world we live in today. Being a sports enthusiast, a memorable speech comes to my mind. Lou Gehrig’s “farewell speech”, given on July 4th, 1939, to more than 62,000 fans at New York City’s Yankee Stadium, has become a cornerstone in the history of baseball in America. Lou Gehrig is considered one of the most under-rated sports players of all time. Gehrig played in the same era with greats like Babe Ruth and Joe DiMaggio. In Fact, Gehrig played on the same team and actually batted behind Ruth and DiMaggio. Gehrig’s nickname is the “Iron Horse,” which came about with Gehrig’s amazing consecutive games played streak. Gehrig played in 2,130 consecutive games, which stood as the consecutive games record until just recently broken by Cal Ripken, Jr. Gehrig died in 1941, at the age of 37. Though many famous speeches have been spoken throughout time, Lou Gehrig’s farewell speech has remained one of the most memorable speeches of all time, due to the way he captivated his fans with the use of rhetoric.
Baseball has been of the longest living sports in our world today. The game started with the idea of a stick and ball and now has become one of the most complex sports known in our society. Several rules and regulations have been added to help enhance the game for everyone. Although baseball has endured several issues during its history and development of the game the game has still been a success throughout the world.
won 29. When he reached that number Comiskey benched him, the player resentment of this was
The Iron Horse’s consecutive game streak of 2,130 games easily makes him a legend and his hitting records and Triples crown puts that legend at number two on our list. When Lou Gehrig’s career was tragically caught short, by what is now comm...
714 career home runs, had 2,209 career RBI's, and 2,873 total hits, all in only
Nemee, David. “100 Years of Major League Baseball.” Lincolnwood, Illinois: Publications Infernational, Ltd, 200. Print.
Yount got his 3000th hit with a single on Sept. 9, 1992. When getting the hit he became only the 17th player in history to reach that milestone. Although the Brewers went on to lose the game, Yount will never gorget that glorious day in his career. After the game, during the post game interviews with the media, Yount was as suttle as he has been throughout his entire career. He was not as thrilled as most people would think, because the Brewers lost the game.
...rst all time in total accumulated bases with 6,856. He was second all time in at bats with 12,364. He was third all time in hits with 3,771. He was third all time in runs scored with 2,174. He was also third all time in games played with 3,298. He was elected into the Hall Of Fame in 1982. His autobiography, I had a Hammer, was published in 1990. In 1999, to celebrate the 25th anniversary of breaking Babe Ruth’s record, Major League announced the Hank Aaron Award, given to the best overall hitter in each league.
Baseball fans, in addition to behaving insanely, are also fascinated by baseball trivia. Every day they turn to the sports page and study last night's statistics. They simply must see who extended his hitting streak and how many strikeouts the winning pitcher recorded. Their bookshelves are crammed full of record books, team yearbooks, and baseball almanacs. They delight in remembering such significant facts as who was the last left-handed third baseman to hit an inning-ending double play in the fifth game of the playoffs.