There is no doubt that Cal Ripken Jr. was noted for its availability.
Ripken had a keen ability to be ready that allowed him to continue his great career long enough to break one of the most sacred records in the Major Leagues: The 2,130-game mark.
Here’s a look at the top 10 moments from Ripken’s 21 seasons in the majors.
1. The Record
September 6, 1995
Nothing else could top this list. When his Orioles hosted the Angels, Ripken played their game 2,131 in a row, beating the record set by Yankees legend Lou Gehrig in 1939. The 46,272 spectators in Oriole Park at Camden Yards gave a standing ovation. it lasted 22 minutes after the game became official in the fifth inning. Ripken began the run on June 5, 1982 against the Twins.
2. Finally a break
September 20, 1998
Ultimately, Ripken’s streak reached 2,632 straight games before he asked Baltimore manager Ray Miller to give him a break. “About time,” Ripken declared. On that night at Camden Yards, after the Yankees’ Chuck Knoblauch was recalled as the first out, Ripken’s image appeared on the stadium’s giant screen, generating a standing ovation and delaying the game until the infielder gave two salutes. to the public.
3. A star is born
1983
Ripken helped the Orioles win the World Series against the Phillies in five games. His prodigious performance during the regular season earned him the AL Most Valuable Player award over his teammate Eddie Murray in close voting. Ripken hit .318 with 27 home runs and set a club-record 211 hits. He also led the Young Circuit with 121 races and 47 doubles. Thus Ripken became the first player to win the Rookie of the Year and MVP awards in consecutive seasons.
4. Impressive All-Star Games
1991 Jul 9; July 10, 2001
Though he hit .265 in the Midseason Classics, Ripken made his mark against the NL twice to win MVP of the game. His three-round homer against Nicaraguan Dennis Martinez of the Expos made the difference in 1991 (LA 4, LN 1). Ripken generated a lot of excitement in his last All-Star Game, rocking a home run in the third inning to set the scoreboard in the Young Circuit’s 4-1 victory.
5. Repeat as MVP
1991
Ripken, who turned 30 on Aug. 24, became the AL’s first MVP on a team below .500 (the Orioles were 67-95 that year). His stature as a player reached higher levels after hitting .323 with 34 homers, 114 RBIs and a total of 368 bases reached to lead the Big Top.
6. The pressing moments
1983, ’96 -97
Ripken always enjoyed the great moments. He hit .336 in 28 postseason games, including .385 (39-15) in the 1997 SDLA and SCLA.
7. Another great glove
1990
Used to witnessing excellent defense after watching Brooks Robinson shine in the anteroom during the 1960s and ’70s, Orioles fans appreciated Ripken’s great glove. He had a streak of 95 straight games without making mistakes and committed just three in 1990. However, he did not receive votes for the Gold Glove. That honor went to Venezuelan Ozzie Guillén of the White Sox, despite committing 17 errors. Ripken played primarily shortstop until 1997, when he moved to third base.
8. He didn’t let the light go out
1999
Ripken set a career-best .340 average in his 19th season. Unfortunately for the legend and the Orioles, injuries limited him to 86 games. One such game was a 6-for-6 hitting performance in a blowout of the Braves on June 13. Ripken hit 18 home runs in just 332 at-bats, including his 400th career on Sept. 2 against Rolando Arrojo of the Devil Rays.
9. Without a doubt
2007
Ripken came close to being a unanimous selection to the Hall of Fame, appearing on 537 of 545 ballots (98.53%). Everyone’s favorite player helped get 75,000 spectators – a record number – in for the ceremony in Cooperstown.
10. He is the model player
1981-2001
Ripken established the prototype of the muscular, athletic shortstop. Although it did not show obvious speed, it covered quite a bit of ground. Plus, despite hitting at least 20 home runs in each of his 10 full seasons, he permanently erased the “good glove, no good hitting” image that shortstop always had. (GG).