12/21/24
September 06, 2005
The "Ironman" record will be hard to break.: Its been 10 years since Cal jr. broke the record. Its hard to believe that it was 10 years ago.
It will be more than "hard." I know that no one should ever say a record is unbreakable, but this is record is probably closer to unbreakable than any other record in the history of baseball. Tejada, as the closest active player to the streak, would have to play every game from now until he was 39. Miguel is already saying he is tired, and he has not even reached 1,000 games. I see this record standing for a very long time. But in all due respect to Tejada, his achievements with his streak should be noted and respected. In an era where baseball players have regularly scheduled days off, and refuse to play on those days even if his team needs him, this active streak deserves much acknowledgement.
posted by bdf1010 at 07:29 AM on September 07, 2005
If Griffey could rattle off a few injury free years he could still get close to the HR record-He aint that old yet.
posted by daddisamm at 07:48 AM on September 07, 2005
I think the only basically untouchable records in baseball are Cy Young's 512 wins, Dimaggio's 56 game hitting streak and this one. Though, that's what was said about Gehrig's record. Isn't Matsui at something like 1,600 games if his seasons in Japan are counted? There's a durable guy.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 08:29 AM on September 07, 2005
Ten years? Damn, I'm old.
posted by dzot at 08:39 AM on September 07, 2005
Orel Hershiser's 59 consecutive scoreless inning streak is another unbreakable record.
posted by erkno11 at 09:29 AM on September 07, 2005
weedy, it's about 1,700 between his time in Japan and the Yankees.
posted by goddam at 09:42 AM on September 07, 2005
Hershiser's 59 consecutive scoreless inning streak is a toughy, but if he beat Drysdale by a couple innings, than someone could beat his. I put that one in the same category of Gibson's 1.12 ERA - really tough, but doable. Fact is no one is even close to Ripken, Dimaggio or Young.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 09:52 AM on September 07, 2005
Is this a record worth even trying to break? There were days where Cal probably should've taken a break for the sake of the team - y'know the other guys who make up the unit trying to win a game - the effort probably isn't helped by having one guy who's needs a rest playing a key position.
posted by kokaku at 10:53 AM on September 07, 2005
Can't forget all the Japanese games that finish a draw at the end of ten. An MLB career has more extra innings.
posted by Hugh Janus at 11:12 AM on September 07, 2005
Everyone's going to break Aaron's HR mark soon. Just a sign of the times, hitting 300 HRs in a career was a real landmark feat. Little over 100 players have accomplished that, yet this season will see 6 or 7 players break the mark....in addition to the 6 from last season. And Cal's record is a hack. If everyone played infield and only stole 2 bases a season, there'd be a lot more room for that. Plus for the fact that it's not so much a record of hanging tough as it is avoiding injury. The former is necessary, sure, but any record with a sprinkle of luck in it isn't that worthy of accomplishment.
posted by charlatan at 01:37 PM on September 07, 2005
but any record with a sprinkle of luck in it isn't that worthy of accomplishment. What record DOESN'T have luck involved? I was there for the record-breaking game and I watched a hell of a lot of the streak. There was never, not once, a time when Cal sitting out would've helped the team. If there had been, he would've done it- he was always a team player who played every day b/c he wanted to help the team. And no, he never took one at bat or did something gimmicky just to extend the streak, as some have claimed. Once or twice he was ejected in the first inning, but the record was a genuine result of wanting to play every day and help the team. And there were certainly times he was hurt and played anyway, notably after the brawl against Seattle in June 1993.
posted by drjimmy11 at 01:51 PM on September 07, 2005
Am I the only one who does not remember the faintest detail about where he was when Ripken broke the old record, but can remember very clearly where he was when Ripken ended the streak?
posted by tieguy at 02:11 PM on September 07, 2005
I think too many people are forgetting that Ripken - a two time MVP - was a HoFer with or without the streak. If it was a case of luck, or just 'hanging tough' I would think we'd see more of it. Sorry charlatan, shortstop is the most active position in the game outside of pitching. More chances, more balls, more action. Your 'hack' call not only doesn't hold water, it isn't even shaped like something that could hold water.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 02:26 PM on September 07, 2005
To go along with weedy's comment, what people forget is that his streak did not make him a great player, rather him being a great player allowed for the streak to be possible.
posted by bdf1010 at 02:48 PM on September 07, 2005
Carlatan, that is many posts that I have seen of yours, that are absurd. Please do some research before you post next time.
posted by ELWAY_FAN at 02:59 PM on September 07, 2005
I never criticized Ripken's play. I just think the record, however unattainable, isn't a very miraculous feat. Yes, it's a testament to his talent, heart, and endurance, but think how many other able-bodied players as good as he in the course of MLB's long history couldn't have done the same exact thing without unfortunate injury, deaths in the family, wars to fight, etc. It's really all a game of numbers, and Ripken happened to be in the right place at the right time with the right gifts and talents. And someone toss props my way on the self-researched bit about 300 HRs. I should be an analyst.
posted by charlatan at 04:36 PM on September 07, 2005
but think how many other able-bodied players as good as he in the course of MLB's long history couldn't have done the same exact thing without unfortunate injury, deaths in the family, wars to fight, etc and if I wasn't 5'11" and slow I would be the all time leading scorer in the NBA. Any accomplishment of any kind requires some sort of luck, that doesn't make them worth any less..
posted by drjimmy11 at 07:45 PM on September 07, 2005
Am I the only one who does not remember the faintest detail about where he was when Ripken broke the old record I was in the stadium, so I remember pretty well. But I can see how, for most people, the streak ending would grab you more.
posted by drjimmy11 at 07:48 PM on September 07, 2005
I don't think anyone will break it simply because that streak doesn't make sense from a team perspective. If you're slumping, sit down. I don't care what you're trying to prove personally.
posted by yerfatma at 08:43 PM on September 07, 2005
Thats better. Way to dig yourself out of that one, Charlatan HACK was the key word there.
posted by ELWAY_FAN at 01:10 PM on September 08, 2005
Miguel Tejada at the same position and same team is the closest active player. 800 some odd games straight.