Today in Sports History: September 5

In 1995, Baltimore Orioles shortstop, Cal Ripken Jr., tied Lou Gehrig’s record of playing in 2,130 consecutive games.

Ripken Jr. played for the Orioles from 1981 until 2001 with a total of 11,551 At-Bats, 1,647 Runs, 3,184 hits, 1,685 Runners Batted In, 431 Home Runs, and 36 Stolen Bases. His batting average was .276 and his on-base percentage of .340 with an on-base plus slugging percentage of .787. 

He was named 19-time American League All-Star, 8-time American League Silver Slugger, 4-time Orioles Most Valuable Award, 3-time Home Run Derby Participant, 2-time All-Star MVP, 2-time American League MVP, and 2-time Rawlings American League Gold Glove. 

He was named American League Rookie of the Year in 1982, World Series Championship in 1983, Home Run Derby Winner in 1991, Lou Gehrig Award in 1992, Roberto Clemente Award in 1992, Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year in 1995, and the Commissioner’s Historic Achievement Award in 1998. 

The Orioles retired his Uniform number in 2001 and in 2007, he was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame for his incredible career and outstanding accomplishments.