January 10, 2007
When The Streak ended, Ripken did it on his terms. He told manager Ray Miller that he wanted out of the lineup on Sept. 20, and it was over after 2,632 consecutive games. Ryan Minor started at third base in place of Ripken, who had played an additional 501 games after breaking Lou Gehrig's record. There were more milestones. Ripken made an unprecedented 15th consecutive All-Star Game start. He became the first American League player to appear in at least 150 games in 15 seasons.
BATTING AVERAGE -- .271
HOME RUNS -- 14
RUNS BATTED IN -- 61 -- ALL-STAR STARTER
1999
His father died during spring training, and he went on the disabled list for the first time. But through the personal grief and injuries, Ripken delivered one of his better seasons despite limited playing time. He appeared in only 86 games but established career highs in batting average and slugging percentage. He batted .352 between trips to the DL. On Sept. 2, he became the 29th player in major league history to hit 400 home runs. In Atlanta, he had a six-hit game with two homers and six RBIs.
BATTING AVERAGE -- .340
HOME RUNS -- 18
RUNS BATTED IN -- 57 -- ALL-STAR STARTER
2000
With his 3,000th hit on April 15, Ripken joined elite company, becoming the seventh player in history to have both 3,000 hits and 400 home runs. But he appeared in only 83 games. There was a trip to the disabled list because of inflammation in his lower back, preventing him from playing in the All-Star Game. He hit safely in 13 of 20 games after coming off the DL. Batting cleanup for the first time since August 1997, Ripken collected four hits during a Sept. 13 game in Texas.
BATTING AVERAGE -- .256
HOME RUNS -- 15
RUNS BATTED IN -- 56 -- ALL-STAR (INJURED)
2001
Ending months of speculation, Ripken confirmed on June 19 that he would retire after the 2001 season. The summer evolved into a continual tribute, with ceremonies and standing ovations greeting him in every city. Ripken homered in six of 12 cities he visited after his retirement announcement. Ripken displayed his flair for the dramatic again at the All-Star Game in Seattle, hitting a home run off Los Angeles right-hander Chan Ho Park and earning Most Valuable Player honors.
BATTING AVERAGE -- .239
HOME RUNS -- 14
RUNS BATTED IN -- 68 -- ALL-STAR STARTER
CONSECUTIVE - GAMES STREAK (2,632)
STREAK FACTS
The Streak began May 30, 1982, when Ripken started at third base against Toronto at Memorial Stadium. The day before, Floyd Rayford started in Ripken's place in the second game of a doubleheader.
Ripken was ejected three time during The Streak, all for arguing a strike call: in the first inning Sept. 25, 1987, and Aug. 7, 1989, and in the second inning July 20, 1997.
Ripken surpassed Lou Gehrig's record of 2,130 consecutive games on Sept 6, 1995, at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. The streak ended at 2,532 when Ripken sat out the last home game of the 1998 season Sept. 20.
RIPKEN RETIRES
Ripken played his final game Oct 6, 2001, against the Red Sox at Camden Yards.
He finished with 3,184 career hits, 431 homers, 1,695 RBIs, a .276 batting average and 1,647 runs in 3,001 games and 11,551 at bats.
