Remembering 2131: A 20th Anniversary Celebration
"The Iron Man" Cal Ripken, Jr. set the new record consecutive games played in Major League Baseball history on September 6, 1995, breaking the 2130 game record set by "The Iron Horse" Lou Gehrig. Gehrig's record stood for 56 years, 5 months and 5 days. Cal went on to increase his record to 2,632 (May 30, 1982 - September 19, 1998). Legendary Orioles manager Earl Weaver put Cal in at third base on May 30th, 1982 and the starting lineup had his name in it every game until September 19, 1998. He was named Rookie of the Year honors in his first season. Cal's second season in 1983 was even better, capped off by a World Championship and League MVP honors while batting .318 with 27 home runs and 102 runs batted in. Cal was the first player ever to be named Rookie of the Year then League MVP in the following year.
On September 5, 1995, Cal tied Lou Gehrig's record and the crowd gave him a standing ovation, lasting 5 minutes and 20 seconds. Cal, not distracted by the celebration or the ovation, had 3 base hits including a home run to left field to cap off an 8-0 win over the California Angels.
To show just how impressive Cal's record was, the Orioles had 3,700 players go on the disabled list during his streak. Other teams had used 517 shortstops during that time and the Orioles had 30 different second basemen, the most being his brother Billy Ripken (659 games). Cal played in 99.2 percent of the Orioles innings. During the streak, Cal had a Major League record 316 home runs, appeared in 13 straight all-star games (AL record) and a fielding percentage of .979 (higher than any Hall of Fame SS).
The broadcasters never thought that the game on September 5 would top the emotion and celebration from the night before. From the time Cal took the field for warm ups, the entire house was on their feet. Cal's children, 5 year old Rachel and 2 year old Ryan, threw out the ceremonial first pitches to their father. The first pitch from Mike Mussina was thrown to Tony Phillips and taken out of the game to be sent to Cooperstown along with the lineup cards. Cal Ripken was announced as the leading-off the bottom of the second inning to one of many standing ovations.
In the bottom of the 4th, Bobby Bonilla hit a home run to center field to give the Orioles a 2-1 lead and then Cal came up for his second at bat. On a 3-0 count from pitcher Shawn Boskie, Cal drove a long shot to deep left field for his 15th home run of the season and Oriole Park at Camden Yards went wild. The fans cheered for a curtain call and Ripken obliged.
After four and a half innings --the home team being ahead-- the game became official. Cal jogged off the field after the out was recorded on a fly ball caught by Manny Alexander. The music began and the crown began clapping. The bullpen cleared and the pitchers joined their teams in their dugouts to congratulate Cal Ripken, Jr. It was official. The unbreakable record had been broken. The banner on the B&O Warehouse dropped, revealing "2131." The standing ovation continued as Cal stood in front of the dugout waving to his fans and his family. Many will remember the unforgettable moment between Jr. and Sr. as they connected from field to skybox and Cal Sr. gave his son a two-hand wave and applauded as his mother Vi held back proud tears.
Cal walked over to where his wife and children were sitting and presented his kids with his jersey, revealing a shirt underneath that they had given him that morning that read "2130+ HUGS AND KISSES FOR DADDY." Cal high fived his son and gave his daughter a kiss. He greeted his brother Billy through the netting behind home plate. The applause continued over 6 minutes as Cal returned to the dugout, hoping to get the game restarted. Cal sipped Gatorade as he gave what he thought was one final wave and sat in the dugout. He made two more curtain calls as fans chanted "We want Cal!"
In yet another unforgettable moment, after more than 10 minutes of an ovation, Bobby Bonilla and Rafael Palmeiro shoved him out of the dugout once more and down the first base line for a celebratory lap. Cal shook hands with the grounds crew, waved to fans, high fived the bullpen and fans as he made his way past the left field seats and down the third base line. He stopped to shake hands and be congratulated by the umpires and each one of the Angels players in front of the visiting dugout as Whitney Houston's "One Moment in Time" played. As he made his way back to his dugout, stopped to see his family once again, the ovation had eclipsed the 15 minute mark. The fans finally began to quiet down after 20 minutes of cheers and applause and the game would resume 22 minutes and 15 seconds after the banner fell.
Feeling extra nostalgic? MLB Classics has the entire three hours and twenty eight minute Home Team Sports (HTS) broadcast from the Orioles vs. Angels, also known as the 2131 Game:
Here's some moments to check out:
Cal's Homerun
Celebration begins
Cal joined the Norris and Davis Show on Tuesday morning to talk about the 20th Anniversary of his record setting game, being celebrated at Camden Yards Tuesday night. You can listen to that interview HERE.
Cal Ripken, Jr. ends his streak at 2,632 consecutive games:
Be sure to tune in tonight as the we bring you Orioles vs. Rays on 105.7 The Fan.
