The story of Cal Ripken Jr.’s record-breaking streak is one of the most iconic and inspiring moments in baseball history. It's a story about dedication, durability, and quiet greatness.
⚾ What Was the Record?
Cal Ripken Jr. broke the MLB record for most consecutive games played, which was previously held by Lou Gehrig at 2,130 games.
📅 The Record-Breaking Game:
Date: September 6, 1995
Teams: Baltimore Orioles vs. California Angels
Location: Camden Yards, Baltimore
That night, Ripken played in his 2,131st consecutive game, officially passing Gehrig's mark—an unbreakable-seeming record that had stood since 1939.
🧱 The Streak:
Began: May 30, 1982
Ended: September 19, 1998
Final total: 2,632 consecutive games — a record that still stands and is widely considered untouchable in modern baseball.
🎉 The Moment:
When the game became official after the 5th inning, the stadium erupted.
Ripken took a victory lap around Camden Yards, high-fiving fans. It was an emotional, celebratory, and deeply human moment.
President Bill Clinton and Vice President Al Gore were in attendance.
Even opposing players clapped. It was one of the few times in baseball when the game stopped to honor an achievement in the middle of the action.
🧍♂️ Why It Mattered:
Ripken wasn’t just showing up—he was a Hall of Fame-caliber shortstop, winning 2 MVP awards, 2 Gold Gloves, and hitting over 400 home runs.
At a time when baseball was still recovering from the 1994 strike, Ripken’s record gave fans something pure and heroic to cheer for.
He earned the nickname “The Iron Man”, contrasting with Gehrig’s nickname “The Iron Horse.”