I don't agree with MLB in crediting Cal Ripken, Jr. with the longest streak in playing the game...?

Question

Ripken, played through with injuries and bruises and was only hurting the team. He mentions that his approach to the game was that every player should come to the ballpark willing to put himself in the hands of the mgr. Which is true, but if there were no streak going I'm sure his name would have been omitted from the starting lineup while he was hurt. With the streak going they didn't dare sit, Ripken. Also, (as far as I'm concerned) a player in order to get credit for playing a game should at least play five innings, which Ripken didn't do in many games. But, hey, don't get me wrong; I will always think Ripken was an excellent player, only he doesn't deserve this title I'm talking about. Any comments?

Answer 1

There were several times that Lou Gehrig actually batted lead-off in an away game. After batting and getting credit for playing that half-inning he was removed to rest.

Cal Ripken actually deserves more credit than Gehrig. The travel was tougher; the furthest Gehrig ever went was to St. Louis to play the Browns.

Ripken may have been injured at times and not at full strength but you must consider who his back-ups were. Not exactly all-star shortstops behind him.

Answer 2

You do present some valid points. Ripken may have at times continued to play for the streak's sake, when it would have been in his team's best interest to sit out.

Nonetheless, Ripken deserves the record and all the respect that goes with it. So many players now have no problems with holding out because the 4 million they make per year isn't nearly enough. Players now don't hesitate to ask for days off because their pesky hangnail just won't go away.

Ripken did none of the above -- he simply kept his mouth shut and came to play every single day. That is why he was so popular with fans. More players should strive to be like him.

Answer 3

Cal Ripken Jr. deserves the record. Even through injuries he remained productive and didn't hurt the team. He also played every minute of those games unlike what you said other than maybe rain shortened games as I remember announcers commenting on that fact. Lou Gehrig the immortal "Iron Horse" had several games where he didin't play the entire game once after a severe beaning in aa exibition game, he appeared in the first inning as a pinch hitter and then rested which is a baseball fact. I have been following this great game for a long time and in my opinion they both deserve all the praise and recognition for their amazing feat!

Answer 4

I say Bret Farve, Cal Ripken did no longer have adult adult males coming at him at complete rushing for 3 hours,Cal Ripken wasn't getting hit by skill of massive 300lb protective lineman. Cal Ripken did no longer have just about as many injuries as Bret Farve had. The Quarterback place is between the main no longer worry-free jobs to have as a expert athlete. For Bret Favre to have performed 309 consecutive video games interior the NFL shows how great his longevity, coronary heart and sturdiness became into.

Answer 5

I think his consecutive games streak is kind of bogus for the resons u mentioned. ANy1 can pinch hit 1 time in a game. But i think it shows something bigger...the strength, preparation, determination, toughness, etc to play however many seasons the streak went on for and not go on the DL. Ripken had some injuries that would have sent most players to the DL. Even when the team wasnt in contention he still played thru pain rather than collecting his check on the DL. Keep in mind tho that a Ripken at 80% in his prime is probably better than any backup the Os had

Answer 6

First off, Cal did break the record and played at a position that puts more wear and tear on the body. Lou Gehrig was a great durable player but first base is not as hard on the body. Next, Cal did not just break the record and then sit out games. He continued to play. Cal and Lou both were class acts in the game and deserve credit for being the great players they were regardless.

Answer 7

Whether you think he deserves it or not is irrelevant - the fact is that he did play in all those games in a row. Were there a few games where he should have sad out? Probably, but Gehrig's manager did the same thing a few times - most notably once when he started the game but was pulled after the first inning just so his streak wouldn't be broken. A lot of records are held by guys who got unfair advantages in their achievements.

Answer 8

someone mentioned cal played hurt even when his team was out of the race. well maybe playing hurt kept his team from being in the race. it's lou gehrig's record people. if lou had never gotten sick, he would have played every game for the next 5 years easy. and he played hurt and he won. that's something cal couldn't do. and lou never took a seat after the second inning. that's not why he's called iron horse. he played damn near every inning in every game. cal should have showed some respect and taken himself out of the starting lineup one game shy of tying gehrig. i think that would have been much more respectable than making a show of himself.

Answer 9

I think he deserves the title only because he played the game clean! he is a true role model for young kids he could have sat himself he did not have to rely on the mgr. to sit him. records were meant to be broken and I am just happy that it was someone like him. Sosa, Bonds, Big Mac, all those guys are clowns and i hope the will never be seen as role models.

Answer 10

Cal deserves every bit of the title awarded to him. In fact, his streak is much more important given the fact that the position he played (SS) was much more demanding than first base. He also had to cope with long distance flights, while Gherig didn't have to travel further than St Louis and all of his games were day games. Oh, and he played almost 500 games more than Gherig.