Fansided

MLB power rankings: Top 30 nicknames of all-time

By John Buhler

Aug 14, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz (34) smiles after a single against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the fifth inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 14, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz (34) smiles after a single against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the fifth inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 1, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles former players Cal Ripken Jr. waves to the crowd before throwing out the first pitch on the 20th anniversary of breaking Lou Gehrig’s 2131 consecutive games played streakbefore the game between the Baltimore Orioles and the Tampa Bay Rays at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 1, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles former players Cal Ripken Jr. waves to the crowd before throwing out the first pitch on the 20th anniversary of breaking Lou Gehrig’s 2131 consecutive games played streakbefore the game between the Baltimore Orioles and the Tampa Bay Rays at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /

15. Cal Ripken Jr.: Iron Man

Nobody punched the clock like the working man who was Baltimore Orioles shortstop Cal Ripken Jr. He spent his entire MLB career with the Orioles, making 19 All-Star Games, winning two MVP awards, the 1983 World Series and setting a record for most consecutive games played at 2,632.

From 1981 to 1998, Ripken didn’t miss a day of work. Penciling him into the Orioles starting lineup was an easy thing to do for any Orioles manager. The Iron Man was an eight-time silver slugger and a two-time gold glove recipient.

Playing in all of those games resulted in The Iron Man collecting 3,184 career hits, 431 career home runs and 1,695 career runs batted in. Little does become big over time, but big is still big and nobody was bigger in Baltimore than Ripken in his prime.

Since relocating from St. Louis to Baltimore in the 1950s, there may not be a better ball player to have played for the Orioles than Ripken. He may have only won one World Series in his career, but Ripken is arguably more culturally significant in Baltimore sports than Johnny Unitas and Ray Lewis combined.

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