Consecutive Games

THE consecutive games streak that Cal Ripken Jr. ended Sunday had become a metaphor for the Orioles' 1998 season: Something with great promise and anticipation that had somehow gone sour.Mr. Ripken's eclipse three years ago of a baseball record that many believed would never be broken was hailed as a symbol of the American work ethic. But as The Streak continued, he was criticized as "selfish" for not wanting to take a day off. This derision came in spite of the fact that he continued to be a superb gloveman; a solid, if no longer spectacular, hitter and a model for his teammates, a couple of whom followed his cue to play nearly the entire season.

The Mount St. Mary's team that pulled off impressive victories over Bucknell and Delaware in February seems like a distant memory now. That's because the Mountaineers have dropped their last four contests, including opening play in the Northeast Conference with back-to-back losses to Sacred Heart and Quinnipiac. The team's numbers have precipitously declined since diving into the conference schedule. The offense is averaging more than three goals fewer (6.5 goals from 10.7), the defense is just as porous (13 goals from 13.3)

The Streak died last night of natural causes. It was 2,632.Cal Ripken, who has played with grace and grit for a generation without daring to miss a game, stepped into manager Ray Miller's office shortly before last night's game against the New York Yankees and asked the unimaginable. He asked for the night off.Sixteen years after Earl Weaver penned his name on the lineup card on May 30, 1982, Ripken did what only he could do. Recognizing the time had come for him to let go of one of the game's most impressive records, he sat on the bench as the Orioles took the field for their final home game of the season.

COLLEGE PARK -- With the euphoria of its 51-50 near-the-buzzer win Wednesday over No. 14 North Carolina State fading, the Maryland men's basketball team knows it will have to do more than just the run the plays that second-year coach Mark Turgeon calls Saturday at North Carolina. The suddenly revived Terps , who had lost two straight games before beating the Wolfpack on Alex Len's front rim lay-in with less a second remaining, will likely have to make a much higher percentage of outside shots and finish inside if they want to take down the Tar Heels.

Catchers Rick Dempsey, Joe Nolan and John Stefero were omitted from yesterday's story listing starters who had played with Cal Ripken during his consecutive-games streak.

By the numbers: Sachio Kinugasa of the Hiroshima Carp of the Japanese Central League took 18 seasons (1970 to 1987) to play in a world-record 2,215 consecutive games. The regular season in Japan is 130 games.2,113: Consecutive games Ripken has played.2.130: Lou Gehrig's record.Sept. 6: Projected date to break record.

BATTING LINE OF THE DAY J.J. Hardy, Brewers SS AB R H RBI HR 6 2 4 6 1 PITCHING LINE OF THE DAY C.C. Sabathia, Indians IP H R BB SO 9 4 1 0 10 WHO'S HOT The Astros have won 12 consecutive games against the Phillies. WHO'S NOT The Tigers have lost seven consecutive games and 12 of 14 overall.

June 12, 1990: Cal Ripken Jr. moved into second place on the all-time consecutive games played list, passing Everett Scott, who played in 1,307 straight games.

ALL TIED UP Baltimore Colts Hall of Famer Lenny Moore held on to a share of his NFL record for consecutive games scoring a touchdown when San Diego's LaDainian Tomlinson didn't get into Philadelphia's end zone. Moore set the record between 1963 and 1965 with 18 consecutive games. ALL TIED UP, PART II Bengals QB Carson Palmer failed to break a tie with Peyton Manning for the NFL record for most consecutive games (nine) with a 100 passer rating or better when he skidded to 53.8 in a loss to the Steelers.

Quote: "We're the [television] Game of the Week. Yet the Mets, Cincinnati and Houston are fighting for a playoff spot. Why are we the Game of the Week? I'm embarrassed by it."Cubs manager Jim RigglemanIt's a fact: The Phillies have three outfielders (Bobby Abreu, Ron Gant and Doug Glanville) who have scored 100 or more runs for the first time since 1900, when Roy Thomas, Jimmy Slagle and Elmer Flick did it.Who's hot: Vladimir Guerrero has broken five Expos records this season, also setting marks for longest hitting streak (31 games)

Old Mill's football players came into their home opener Friday night with a chip on their collective shoulder. They wanted to prove it's time to talk about current Patriots such as Marcus Hicks, Jalen Jones and Carl Chance instead of dwelling on the talent they lost from last year's Class 4A state championship team. Against Anne Arundel County foe Broadneck, the host Patriots proved they could pick up right where the state title team left off despite graduating 16 starters, including running back Rob Chesson and his state-record 49 touchdowns.

The Towson offense's recent problems continued Saturday night against Penn State. The Tigers averaged more than 12 goals during a recent five-game winning streak. But they have scored just six goals in the last two games, including an 8-3 loss to No. 11 Penn State before an announced 2,425 Saturday night at Johnny Unitas Stadium. "I think we were kind of playing with fire during the streak, the way we won games," said Towson coach Shawn Nadelen, whose team fell to 7-5 (2-2 in the Colonial Athletic Association)

Sophomore forward Luke Apfeld came off the bench to score a career-high 24 points in only 22 minutes as Vermont (6-7) took an early lead and didn't look back in a 65-49 nonconference win over Towson on Friday night at Towson Center. The loss dropped Towson to 0-12 and was the Tigers' 31st in a row. The record for consecutive losses by a Division I team is 34, by Sacramento State. The overall record is 51 straight by New Jersey Institute of Technology as it transitioned from Division II to Division I. Apfeld made all 11 of his shots from the field, including his only 3-point field goal attempt.

While middle linebacker Ray Lewis will miss his fourth consecutive game as expected, Ravens kicker Billy Cundiff is active for the Ravens' game against the Indianapolis Colts today at M&T Bank Stadium. Cundiff missed practice on Thursday and Friday with some cramping in his left calf muscle. The Ravens had veteran free agent kicker Shayne Graham on standby, but his services will not be needed as Cundiff is active. Cundiff is 26-for-34 on field goal attempts this season, but he is a perfect 16-for-16 at home.

When the Ravens drafted Jarret Johnson in the fourth round in 2003, there were some questions about his longevity in the NFL. After all, he was considered too small to play the defensive tackle position he played at the University of Alabama and too big to play linebacker. On Sunday, Johnson, who lost 25 pounds to become an outside linebacker, overtook former defensive end Michael McCrary and former linebacker Jamie Sharper as the franchise's all-time leader in consecutive starts with his 74th straight start in the team's 31-24 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals.

Middle linebacker Ray Lewis is officially out for the Ravens today against the Cincinnati Bengals, ending his streak of 57 consecutive regular season games played. Lewis, 36, hasn't practiced all week because of a toe injury. It will the first time Lewis misses a game since he sat out the final two games of the 2007 regular season with a finger injury. Linebacker Dannell Ellerbe, who has been inactive four consecutive games, will start at middle linebacker in Lewis' place.

As expected, wide receiver Lee Evans will sit out his seventh straight game when the Ravens take on the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field in Seattle Sunday. Evans had been limited in practice all week by a lingering left ankle injury and had been described by the team as doubtful for the contest. Rookie Torrey Smith will make his seventh consecutive start. Also as expected, free safety Ed Reed and outside linebacker Terrell Suggs will start in their customary positions.

The Ravens ruled out starting wide receiver Lee Evans and starting left guard Ben Grubbs after the duo failed to practice this week. Coach John Harbaugh said the team is simply waiting for Evans (left ankle) and Grubbs (strained ligament in right toe) to show progress. “It's probably just slower than any of us imagined that those guys would be, and we've just got to keep fighting and try to get them back,” Harbaugh said after Saturdays practice. “I think there's going to be one day when I walk in here and they're going to go through a full practice and they're going to feel good and be ready to go. Hopefully soon.” Evans will sit out his fourth straight contest, while Grubbs will miss his fifth consecutive game.