Sports Americana

The Orioles shortstop would eventually become one of baseball’s most recognizable players—and the owner of a record that may never be broken.

Ripken played in 2,632 consecutive games, a streak that began in 1982 and finally ended in 1998. To put that into perspective, he essentially showed up to work every day for more than 16 seasons.

No mysterious “maintenance days.” No sitting out because the team was playing a left-hander. No conveniently timed hamstring tightness.

Just going to the post every day.

Along the way, Ripken won two MVP awards, made 19 All-Star teams, won Rookie of the Year in 1982, and helped Baltimore win the 1983 World Series.

But his legacy wasn’t really about the numbers. It was about showing up.

In an era when baseball celebrated larger-than-life personalities, Ripken became famous for doing something remarkably simple: he played baseball. Every. Single. Day.

Happy birthday to the Iron Man.