Quick Hit: The Iron Man Streak Comes To an End

This is not as so much New York Yankees related as it is Major League Baseball related but either way you couldn’t have predicted it. Today was the day in 1998 that Cal Ripken Jr. and his iron man streak of 2,632 consecutive games came to an end. Ripken had not missed a single game in nearly 16 straight seasons, something that will likely never be replicated ever again.


Ripken finally took himself out of the lineup that Sunday night when the Orioles hosted the New York Yankees in Camden Yards on ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball. Ripken had surpassed Lou Gehrig’s old streak against these same Yankees in Camden Yards as well so for the streak to end here seemed fitting and eerily coincidental.

You Know What? Good for Adam LaRoche!

The now former Chicago White Sox first baseman and DH Adam LaRoche has officially retired from the game he loves, Major League Baseball. Many people were shocked when they learned of the news, LaRoche isn’t old and he had one more year on his contract worth $13 million so why would he walk away? Family, that’s why and good for him!

The White Sox organization led by President Kenny Williams confirmed that they asked LaRoche on two different occasions to “dial it back” with his 14-year old son and his time in the clubhouse. Drake LaRoche, son of Adam LaRoche, has spent a good amount of time in the White Sox clubhouse apparently and the organization was worried it would affect the team’s ability to focus in 2016. Kenny, it’s spring training. Loosen up.

LaRoche is 36-years old and is currently with his sixth team in his career. As a veteran player he wanted to spend time with his family while he could. Again, it’s spring training. If Drake is traveling with the club and hanging out during the season that’s one thing, this is another. LaRoche’s decision has been abrupt and quick but it’s the same decision I think I would have made. The game will one day leave LaRoche behind, if he ultimately doesn’t leave it first, but his family will always be there. His family was there before the game. Good for him for choosing family first over a game. A job. Any job. Good for him.

Look, I truly do see both sides of it. Williams doesn’t want LaRoche’s son distracting the team (although he mentioned numerous times in his interviews that Drake was far from a distraction) and Williams wants to win first and foremost. I also see the side of LaRoche and am left wondering what Prince Fielder, Cal Ripken Jr., Ken Griffey Jr. and a slew of others would have been in this game if they had not come to the ballpark with their fathers on a day-to-day basis. It’s a family game and family comes before any job or any game. Again, the game is going to leave LaRoche behind one day and will turn its cold shoulder on him but Drake won’t.

In a world of deadbeat dads and missing fathers who don’t even know their kids it’s refreshing to see someone put their children and their family first. If I ever meet you Mr. LaRoche I am going to shake your hand because in my eyes you made the right decision. You made your money presumably, you’ve had your fun and your family comes first. The way it should be. 

Quick Hit: The Iron Man Streak Comes To an End

This is not as so much New York Yankees related as it is Major League Baseball related but either way you couldn’t have predicted it. Today was the day in 1998 that Cal Ripken Jr. and his iron man streak of 2,632 consecutive games came to an end. Ripken had not missed a single game in nearly 16 straight seasons, something that will likely never be replicated ever again.


Ripken finally took himself out of the lineup that Sunday night when the Orioles hosted the New York Yankees in Camden Yards on ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball. Ripken had surpassed Lou Gehrig’s old streak against these same Yankees in Camden Yards as well so for the streak to end here seemed fitting and eerily coincidental.

Remembering & Honoring Cal Ripken Jr., The Iron Man

It was 19 years ago today that Cal Ripken Jr. went out onto the field in Oriole Park at Camden Yards against the New York Yankees like he had for the better part of over 2,000 games. Ripken had played in 2,129 consecutive games in his career before heading out for the bottom of the fifth inning. When Ripken went out to take his position the game became official, his 2,130th consecutive game. This is significant because Cal would tie the Yankees legend and "Iron Horse" Lou Gehrig.

Ripken received a standing ovation for over five minutes from the sellout crowd when he tied the record. Love or hate the Orioles but you just can't hate Cal Ripken Jr. Have a good Saturday Yankees family.

Can’t Predict Baseball: The Iron Man Streak Comes To an End

This is not as so much New York Yankees related as it is Major League Baseball related but either way you couldn’t have predicted it. Today was the day in 1998 that Cal Ripken Jr. and his iron man streak of 2,632 consecutive games came to an end.  Ripken had not missed a single game in nearly 16 straight seasons, something that will likely never be replicated ever again.

Ripken finally took himself out of the lineup that Sunday night when the Orioles hosted the New York Yankees in Camden Yards on ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball. Ripken had surpassed Lou Gehrig’s old streak against these same Yankees in Camden Yards as well so for the streak to end here seemed fitting and eerily coincidental. 

Remembering Cal Ripken Jr. The Iron Man

It was 19 years ago today that Cal Ripken Jr. went out onto the field in Oriole Park at Camden Yards against the New York Yankees like he had for the better part of over 2,000 games. Ripken had played in 2,129 consecutive games in his career before heading out for the bottom of the fifth inning. When Ripken went out to take his position the game became official, his 2,130th consecutive game. This is significant because Cal would tie the Yankees legend and "Iron Horse" Lou Gehrig.

Ripken received a standing ovation for over five minutes from the sellout crowd when he tied the record. Love or hate the Orioles but you just can't hate Cal Ripken Jr. Have a good Friday Yankees family.

Can't Predict Baseball: 11 Errors In One Game?!?

The New York Highlanders, later to be named the New York Yankees, were never known for being a good team, especially on the defensive side of the ball. On this day in 1907 the Highlanders committed a total of 11 errors in one game, and that's not a typo. Eight different Highlanders committed an error in a 16-4 loss to the Detroit Tigers. The Highlanders shortstop Kid Elberfeld committed four errors by himself while playing in front of the home team at American League Park.

Also on this day in 1990 Cal Ripken Jr. continued his attack of Lou Gehrig's consecutive games streak while playing in his 1,308th consecutive game. Ripken would move into second place on the all time list ahead of former Yankees and Red Sox shortstop Everett Scott. Scott played consecutively from 1918-1925.

Quick Hit: Notable Players Drafted This Weekend

Just for fun let's take a look at a few of the players that were drafted during the three days of the 2014 MLB Draft:

The Washington Nationals drafted the son of Cal Ripken Jr., Ryan Ripken, in the 15th round on Saturday.

The San Diego Padres drafted Johnny Manziel in the 28th round. Johnny Baseball?

The Baltimore Orioles drafted Brandon Bonilla, son of Bobby Bonilla, in the 25th round.

The New York Yankees drafted Mariano Rivera Jr. in the 28th round.

I, unfortunately, was not drafted but I'm not giving up.

Quick Hit: Cal Ripken Jr. Would Switch Careers W/ Jeter

Cal Ripken Jr. had a marvelous career in a Baltimore Orioles uniform but answered a question without hesitation that came as a shock to many, including myself, when asked if he would trade careers with Derek Jeter. Cal wasted no time in saying that he would in fact trade with Derek because a bad season for Derek is "losing in the first round of the playoffs."

We have the video embedded here on the site but we are having problems with iframes right now for some reason so just in case HERE is the link to the video to hear Cal say it himself.

This Day In New York Yankees History 9/20

On this day in 1968 Mickey Mantle his his 536th and final home run of his 18 year major league career all spent with the New York Yankees.

On this day in 1980 the Yankees unveiled a bronze plaque honoring recently deceased Yankees captain Thurman Munson. This came just a season after the 32 year old was killed while trying to fly a Cessna airplane and crashed.

On this day in 1998 Cal Ripken takes a game off for the first time in over 16 years breaking the iron mean streak for most consecutive games played. The streak that will probably never be broken ends at 2,632 straight games all for the Baltimore Orioles.

On this day in 2010 George Steinbrenner is honored with a 7' x 5' 760 lb. monument made of bronze at Yankees Stadium. This is shortly after "the Boss" passed away.

This Day In New York Yankees History 9/5

On this day in 1989 the world was really introduced to Deion Sanders as a sports player. On this day Sanders would hit a home run for the Yankees in a rout of the Seattle Mariners 12-2. Five days later Sanders made his NFL debut and returned a punt 68 yards for a touch down.

On this day in 1995 Cal Ripken Jr. received a five minute standing ovation from the Oriole Park in Camden Yards crowd after the game became official in the bottom of the fifth inning. Ripken would tie Lou Gehrig for the consecutive games played streak of 2,130 games.

On this day in 2007 Alex Rodriguez became only the fourth player in Yankees history to hit two home runs in one inning in a rout of the Seattle Mariners 10-2. Prior to the game Alex was sent to the hospital to get tests on a sore knee and had to beg his way into the lineup, good decision by Joe Torre.

Also on this day in 2007 Yankees long time announcer Bob Sheppard would announce his final game at Yankees Stadium. Sheppard was a part of over 4,500 games as the Yankees announcer since 1951.