It was on this day in 1995 that Cal Ripken Jr. played in his 2,131st consecutive game, setting a new Major League record.  Ripken eclipsed the mark that was previously held by Lou Gehrig.

After the Angels’ half of the fifth inning, the game was considered official and Cal had broken the record.  He did a lap around the stadium, shaking the hands of fans who had watched him play throughout the years. To make the record breaking game even more memorable, Ripken hit a fourth inning home run off of California Angels starter Shawn Boskie.  The home run was later voted as Major League Baseball’s “Most Memorable Moment” of all-time by fans.

Ripken would go on to play in an additional 502 straight games (2,632 total)  before voluntarily pulling himself from the line-up in the Orioles final home game of 1998.  His streak spanned over an incredible 17 years, as it started in May of 1982.

Here is a tribute to Cal Ripken Jr.

Notable Birthdays

Kevin Willis, NBA – Born September 6th 1962 (age 49) in Los Angeles, California

Derrek Lee, MLB – Born September 6th 1975 (age 36) in Sacramento, California

Mark Teahen, MLB – Born September 6th 1981 (age 30) in Redlands, California