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NO STAT IS SAFE. NO ERA IS FORGOTTEN.
VOL. 1, NO. 28 · SEPTEMBER 7, 2026 · EVERY MONDAY
ISSUE #028 · FREE AGENT
Cal Ripken Jr. — 2,632
Consecutive Games
On September 6, 1995, Cal Ripken Jr. broke Lou Gehrig's consecutive games record — then took a victory lap
📅 THIS DATE IN
BASEBALL and shook hands with every fan in the front row.
THE STAT THAT SHOULDN'T EXIST 01
THE IRON MAN RECORD NOBODY THOUGHT COULD BE BROKEN — AND NOBODY THOUGHT IT SHOULD BE.
2,632 Consecutive Games. Broke Gehrig's 56-Year
Record. Did It While Being An Elite Shortstop.
CAL RIPKEN JR. LOU GEHRIG (PREVIOUS) EVERETT SCOTT
STEVE GARVEY RIPKEN CAREER WAR CONSECUTIVE YEARS 20+ HR
Ripken played 2,632 consecutive games from May 30, 1982 to September 19, 1998 — breaking Lou
Gehrig's record of 2,130 that had stood since 1939. He played through an All-Star Game, through contract
disputes, through slumps. He was also a two-time AL MVP and the model for how shortstops should play
the position defensively.
THE GAME YOU FORGOT 02
VS California Angels SEPTEMBER 6, 1995
2,130 1 46,272 W 4-2
CONSECUTIVE GAME # GEHRIG'S RECORD HR IN GAME CROWD RESULT
BROKE GEHRIG'S RECORD WITH A HOME RUN
When the game became official in the 5th inning on September 6, 1995, Cal Ripken Jr. broke Lou Gehrig's
56-year-old record. He had hit a home run in the 4th inning. The number 2,131 was lit on the B&O Warehouse
beyond right field at Camden Yards. Ripken took a victory lap around the stadium — shaking hands with
every fan in the front rows. The ovation lasted 22 minutes. He played 500 more consecutive games after
that.
ERA VS ERA 03
Greatest Shortstop In Baseball History?
CAL RIPKEN JR. HONUS WAGNER
CAREER WAR CAREER BA
AL MVP AWARDS VS CAREER WAR
CONSECUTIVE GAMES BATTING TITLES
Wagner's career WAR of 130.9 is the highest of any shortstop in history. Ripken redefined the defensive
standard for the position — proving that a shortstop could be 6'4 and hit for power. Wagner was more
complete. Ripken was more transformative to how the position is evaluated.
Greatest shortstop in baseball history?
CAL RIPKEN JR. HONUS WAGNER DEREK JETER OZZIE SMITH
THE COLDEST MOMENT 04
SEPTEMBER 19, 1998 · THE STREAK ENDS
He Voluntarily Ended The Streak At 2,632. Just
Took Himself Out Before Game One Night.
Ripken voluntarily removed himself from the starting lineup before a game on September 19,
1998 — ending the consecutive games streak at 2,632. He told manager Ray Miller he was
ready. No ceremony. No announcement. He simply wasn't in the lineup that night. He said the
streak had taken on a life of its own and he wanted to end it on his own terms.
Tonight, I want to make it clear that I am not doing this because I think records are
made to be broken. Records are for chasing.
— CAL RIPKEN JR., AFTER BREAKING GEHRIG'S RECORD
THE STAT VAULT 05
CONSECUTIVE GAMES PLAYED DATES OF THE STREAK
Broke Gehrig's 2,130 — which had stood May 30, 1982 to September 19, 1998.
since 1939. Ripken played 502 more after. Sixteen seasons without missing a game.
CAREER WAR AL MVP AWARDS
Top 10 among all shortstops in baseball 1983 and 1991. He was an elite player, not
history. just a durable one.
431 CAREER HR
Most home runs in history by a primary shortstop until Alex Rodriguez.
THE FORGOTTEN MAN 06
OVERLOOKED · UNDERRATED · DESERVES MORE
Eddie Murray
BALTIMORE ORIOLES · 1977-1997
HOF 2003 · 504 HR · 3,255 HITS · 8X ALL-STAR
Ripken's Teammate. 504 HR. HOF. 3,255 Hits. Somehow Forgotten.
Eddie Murray played alongside Ripken for most of the Baltimore dynasty years, hit 504 HR and 3,255 hits,
and was inducted to the HOF in 2003. He's one of only three players with both 500 HR and 3,000 hits. He is
mentioned approximately never because Ripken's consecutive games streak consumed the entire Orioles
narrative.
THE CONNECTION:
Murray and Ripken were teammates in Baltimore through the franchise's best years. Murray hit
cleanup behind Ripken for over a decade. He's in the HOF with 500 HR and 3,000 hits. Almost nobody
mentions him.
COMING NEXT MONDAY
Next Monday: Tony Gwynn hit .338 career and was hitting .394 when the 1994 strike ended the season.
Who's Your Forgotten Man?
Reply with a player from any era who deserves more credit. Best answer gets featured next Monday.
All Eras. All Stats. No Debate.
Every Monday. No exceptions.