Fansided

8 sports records that will never be broken

By Dave Stevenson

1934: American baseball player Babe Ruth (George Herman Ruth, 1895 - 1948) hits his first home run during his tour of Japan at Miji Shrine Stadium, Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by New York Times Co./Getty Images)
1934: American baseball player Babe Ruth (George Herman Ruth, 1895 - 1948) hits his first home run during his tour of Japan at Miji Shrine Stadium, Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by New York Times Co./Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
8 of 8
Next

1. Cal Ripken Jr’s Consecutive Games Streak

It’s hard to imagine somebody going to work everyday for 16 years. But that is precisely what Cal Ripken Jr. did by not missing a game from May 29, 1982 to Sept. 20, 1998. Ripken played in 2,632 consecutive games. For a variety of reasons, it is the most unbreakable record in all of sports.

First of all, baseball players today are given days off. Injuries happen so teams are very conservative with their stars. Manny Machado of the Orioles was the only MLB player to not miss a single game in 2015. Ripken did that for 15 consecutive seasons.

Secondly, as stated earlier, injuries happen. Players today are more athletic and muscular than in previous years. More muscles means more opportunities for cramps, pulls, strains, and sprains. Even the designated hitter role hasn’t really helped players not miss games.

Next: 2016 NFL season: Epic season preview

At one point, Prince Fielder held the active consecutive games streak. Tragically, neck issues forced him to retire. That makes Ripken’s record even more impressive. He might have been lucky, but he avoided injury for such a long period of time, you can’t help but tip your cap. Ripken played each of his 2,632 games at either shortstop or third base, two of the most demanding positions on the baseball diamond.

It will be phenomenal if anyone tops the most impressive record in sports. Though it is worth noting that everyone believed that Lou Gehrig’s 2,130 consecutive games would never be touched. So perhaps records are meant to be broken.