Cal Ripken's defining moment deserves a deep rewind 

Fun fact: IF you count game 2131 as game #1, by the time he ended the streak (2632) he was the current leader in consecutive games played on that date at 502. He was the only player who played every game between breaking the record and ending the streak 501 games later.

One of the crazy things about Cal Ripken is that he not only played the most games in a row, but also played in the longest baseball game ever: Rochester Red Wings at Pawtucket Red Sox, April 18 - June 23, 1981. Because of that he still has the record of 15 at-bats in a single game (tied with some of his teammates). Cal Ripken played a *lot* of baseball. (Bonus fun fact: Wade Boggs's was complimented by his father for getting 4 hits in that same game, but Boggs had to admit that it was on 12 at-bats.)

Born in 1990s Baltimore i feel like i needed this video to understand what all the older people clamored about

Words really can't express how big of a deal this was and still is to the Orioles. Pretty much the most sacred moment in franchise history.

His story is literally what every kid dreams of. Playing professional baseball with your hometown team, the team you grew up watching and cheering for. And having your Dad as a coach and playing with your brother at the same time. Then setting an unbreakable record to become a legend. And he remained humble through it all. He is one of the all time great players and ambassadors of the game.

Interesting trivia: they played this game with baseballs made specifically for this date. They had the 2130-2131 logo and were stitched with Oriole orange thread instead of the typical red.

What made the home run even cooler that night was that he had also homered during the 2130 game AND the game before! (Hence why when you hear Chris Berman’s call as he’s losing his mind, he goes “Oh my goodness, HE’S DONE IT AGAIN!!!”) Cal just a had a flair for the dramatic. And him breaking Gehrig’s streak remains one of the most amazing moments in the history of sports.

Cal is such a legend on and off the field. A true hometown hero. Phenomenal ball player, but a better person.

Gehrig was given a first inning at bat to keep his streak going on one occasion, While Cal played every inning of every one of his games, setting a lesser known MLB record of 8,264 consecutive innings, which may be even more impressive. All done while playing possibly the most physically demanding position aside from catcher.

I’m from Baltimore, absolutely loved Cal! He 100% saved baseball!! Side note: My dads a master electrician and worked on Cals mansion around 96, and it was ridiculous!!

I was there at Camden Yards that night. I worked at the ballpark in concessions, and that night worked a temp stand in the bullpen area, where the retired player statues are now. At the 5th inning, EVERYONE, fans, ushers, workers you name it, were fixed on the field. And being in the bullpen party area, I had a great view of Cal's lap around the field.

This in my opinion is one of the all time greatest records in sports history. The sheer physical and mental determination and willpower needed to be able to pull off such a feat is unmatched.

wtf was that add in the middle?

One of the GOATs for sure. If youre gonna do Ripken, y'all should do Phil Kessel's 985th game. Hockey is a pretty dang violent sport and this dude who was constantly under media pressure, accused of being unfit, who went through testicular cancer early in his career, proceeded to go to three all star games, win 2 championships, play in 2 olympics and win a silver medal and "best forward", became the first ever NHL player to play 1000 consecutive games, and even scored his 400th goal the game he broke the record. He might not be a likely hall of famer but durability in a contact sport is rare, and the fact the dude beat cancer before setting the record is cool as hell.

My orioles on secret base I’m so happy

Owners like Angelos are pretty rare. Good on him for siding with the players and not the wallets of other owners.

I remember getting to see him play the year he broke the record. One of my happiest childhood baseball memories!

With how the game is played now this record will never be broken.

I remember watching this game with my dad. He explained exactly why this was such a big deal and it really sunk in when Ripken took his lap around the field.

I had the pleasure of witnessing Cal get his 3000th hit at the Metrodome in Minneapolis. April 15th, 2000. Stadium staff even handed out thoughtful certificates that said "I Was There" and a space to place our ticket stubs on at the gates as we departed. A very memorable moment for me as a 10 year old baseball fanatic! Thank you, Major League Baseball.

I grew up near Baltimore. When my dad took me to my first game when I was a little kid, Cal Ripken was playing. I did not see a game in which Cal Ripken didn't play until after I was in graduate school. The crowds were so much bigger back then. This was a year before the Ravens so the O's were literally the only game in town then (unless you believed the old Baltimore symphony orchestra commercial that claimed that they were Baltimore's "other major league team").

I like the vid, but is anyone else bothered by just how randomly the ad is placed in? Like I understand, people gotta get paid but it’s so jarring just watching the video and then for no reason get a blue moon advertisement

Watched it live on TV when I was stationed in Japan. It showed at 10 in the morning there. Will never forget that.

Thank you Clara for uploading this video. As a lifelong Orioles fan, Cal was and still is my all time favorite baseball player. The way he played the game, and the way he went about his life is what made him. Fun fact: My parents took me as a baby to the 2130 game, and I went to his final game in 2001. I also met him once years ago at a baseball camp, and he and his new wife have gone to my temple a few times.

I've never been a baseball fan, so this game remains the only one that I've watched live from start to finish. This game as well as the Steelers loss in Super Bowl 30 are two of my earliest memories of watching sports as a kid.

A moment I watched from my student room in the Netherlands; I still tear up when I hear that call

Not gonna lie, when the Blue Moon beer commercial appeared, I thought it was RU-vid running an ad and I was immediately looking for the skip button. Then I realized it was part of the video. And THEN right after that, RU-vid actually ran an Ad, and it was a beer commercial... what are the freaking odds of that!?

It's amazing that the two all time iron men of baseball are both players who didn't want the streak for the sake of the streak, they just wanted to play ball, so they did every day for years.

This was such a big deal when I was a kid. I remember I was at my schools open house for 3rd grade and that’s all we were talking about was the streak was bout to be broken that night. I remember rushing home to turn on the TV to see it live, and it’ll always be one of those memories that I almost feel like I’m there when thinking about it. My dad told me to remember it cause it’ll never be done again. And he’s absolutely right.

Random Blue Moon ad halfway through the video is definitely a choice

You left out the best part of that moment. The TV broadcast announced the moment, and then they were basically silent for 5+ minutes as the fans cheered. It was amazing to watch.

The most interesting part is the Orioles weren't really competing for anything at the time. Cal didn't care though, he was always there. His patience was eventually rewarded though, as the team would win their division two seasons later.

Cal Ripken was the man who rejuvenated interest in baseball more than any single person after the 94 strike.

If you look into Ripken's innings played and everything else, he was doing his streak it all becomes even more impressive.

Did I just see a blue moon ad embedded in the video??? 6:40

This was one of several major historical events that my 2nd grade teacher taped, and then brought in to show us that year. Looking back it’s really cool to think that she thought it was important for us to understand the significance of things like cal breaking the record. Thanks, Mrs Ingersoll!

I grew up in Maryland and I have a BUNCH of Cal Ripken Jr autographs because he always signed everything kids asked him to. He’s the MAN.

They didn't even mention the best part of the whole night. The lap around the stadium was amazing. It made you feel for baseball.

“Welcome to a moment in history” no matter who narrates, that phase gives me chills EVERY. TIME.

Also, a shout out to the person who made the schedule for knowing that the Orioles would need to play at home vs the team that displays on the scoreboards as CAL (now ANA). A little extra art.

Him and I had the same voting location when I lived in Downtown Annapolis lol. Nice guy, absolute GOAT

So happy I got to see that legend play live

Finally! I’ve been waiting for this one. I actually went to this game with me dad that day.

Love sports history, love all the secret base and rewinders videos, but your videos are the best! THX for the 14 min entertainment

I remember watching this live on tv. It was a big thing at the time

Not gonna lie. I get teary eyed watching 2131 highlights. I remember being 11 or 12 watching it with my dad and my grandmother.

Secret Base does the best job telling sports stories and I always look forward to your content

I still get chills remembering his lap around the field. Absolutely magical.

Untitled: Ted Williams Untitled: pavel Bure Untitled: Marcel Dionne Rewinder: the miracle of Istanbul Rewinder: game 6, 1985 Rewinder: 2010 World Cup Final Rewinder: 1999 champions league final Beef history: George Steinbrenner vs Billy Martin Beef history: Dave Winfield vs George Steinbrenner Beef history: Juan marichal vs John roseboro, a beef that ended in a lifelong friendship Beef history: the derby of the eternal enemies, Panathinaikos vs Olympiacos Collapse: how the Montreal Canadiens failed to reach sniffing distance of lord Stanley for 28 years Collapse: how the fo fi fo sixers failed to capitalize on a potential dynasty after the 83 finals Collapse: how the 85 bears went from Super Bowl domination to barely even treading water Collapse: How the Montreal expos looked like a potential World Series favorite before a lockout ruined everything and cause the team to leave for DC Collapse: how arsenal’s invincibles became, vincible Collapse: how the grit and grind grizzlies lost their grit and grind Collapse: how the 90s jazz went from western conference powerhouse, to dregs of the west Collapse: how the Martin brodeur devils went from annual contention to the worst in the league Collapse: how the Vancouver Canucks went from one of the best teams in the league to one of the worst

I was at that game where he broke the record. 9 year old me was in awe. Baltimore is home the Orioles are the reason to be proud.

This moment restored a bunch of good will to baseball after the '94 strike. For us Mariners fans, we also went to the post season for the first time! (Previously covered by SB Rewind as The Double.)

I feel like people don't talk enough about how good he was. He was 4th all time in defensive WAR

As a lifelong Baltimorean this was so so great! Thank you for creating this! Hat’s off to Baltimore’s favorite son, love you Cal! ❤️

It’s so crazy he never broke a bone by a hit by pitch or any countless injury that we see every year in baseball. Truly an anomaly.

You guys have 3 people who I really enjoy doing these videos, but Clara is my vote for the all time best! Excellent work to you all. Stayin' grateful this movie quality is free!

You guys do phenomenal work, no other words for it.

Always love to see baseball content from you fine folks!

That lap around the field still gives me goosebumps, all these years later.

Cal is the reason I grew up loving baseball, especially that he was born and raised where I grew up down to the same small towns. His humble, steady work ethic inspired so many and will always be treasured here in Maryland.

This might've been the best rewinder yet. I always look forward to your videos Clara!!!

Loved the video, thank you. I just wanted some more juice on the Kevin Costner/power outage conspiracy of '97.

Cal Ripken Jr.'s retirement match really touched me.

I'm from Baltimore and I can tell you from experience: there is no Oriole more beloved than him. I've also met him once and he is a very nice guy.

I still remember being at the game when he tied Gehrig's record as a kid, thank you for going back to a defining moment of my childhood!

That what Cal Ripken jr. Breaking that record was my first memory of Major League Baseball intellivision years later I got to go to Camden Yard I was like this is where Cal Ripken jr. This is baseball this is where baseball God played

Never heard Angelos be shown in such a positive light. Here in Maryland he’s not very popular and true fans want the owner of the Ravens to buy the team. It should also be mentioned that Ripken continued the streak for another 501 games. The man was a machine.

FINALLY AN ORIOLES VIDEO, THANK YOU SECRET BASE!

It wasn’t just that Cal Ripken played in every game. From June 5, 1982 to September 14, 1987, Cal Ripken played in 8264 consecutive innings. This is believed to be the record, as it is over 3000 innings longer than the 2nd-longest known streak, which was set in the 19th century in a Major League that no longer exists.

Way to get the Blue Moon sponsorship, hell yeah. Not done in an annoying way, either, other than maybe the shock of the audio cut. Great vid as always.

I grew up in the prairies in the middle of Canada and our baseball knowledge was basically limited to occasionally knowing if the Jays won. Hockey was life for us. And even my friends and I would regularly hear of Cal's streak.

Gotta admit, this and the '94 strike Rewinder have given me new respect for Peter Angelos. I had no idea he was a labor lawyer by trade who took the union's side during that dispute. Damn decent of him!

Ripken was never the same after 1991. I'm an Orioles fan and I think the streak hurt him and the team. His two best years after 1991 were 1994 and 1999 -- years he didn't play a full season.

Ripken was my favorite baseball player of all time even though I will always be a die hard Boston fan. I was present the night the Sox celebrated his last appearance at Fenway.

One of the few brightspots i can remember as a lifelong Os and Skins fan.😂

I remember I was watching this game with my favorite uncle. He passed away 3 years ago.

As a O's fan thank you for making this video! Have another sub from Birdland!

I’ve lived in Maryland my entire life. This really meant a lot to me looking back now. Thanks for reminding me what baseball is really all about.

Very subtle ad placement guys, hardly noticed it

I was what like 9 when this happened Cal was always one of my fav players him and Mike Mussina and I got to run the bases with him once as well when I was 10. Love the O's and will always remember this game and how awesome Cal was.

I was born in Baltimore and grew up watching Ripken every day that man is a hero and a role model for anyone

My favorite baseball player talked about by my favorite channel, I love it ❤

named my childhood dog Ripken. idolized this man for sure, great video

I lived in walking distance, and it was so awesome hearing that crowd go crazy

Finally!!!! Baseball! BALTIMORE!!!! Cal Ripken Jr!!

My favorite player growing up (and probably still). Loved going to O's games back in the 90's watching Cal play. Go O's! My favorite highlight is a young rookie catching the 27th out in the clinching game of the World Series. A soft liner to Short, gloved by Ripkin Jr. and the Orioles were WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONS!!!

Makes me emotional everytime. Cal is my childhood hero and always will be.

Easily one of my favorite moments as a baseball fan, was seeing Cal Ripkin play on his farewell season at SafeCo Field when I was a kid. True legend.

Being a DC Native we didn’t have a Baseball team (see Nationals) at this time and many years after. So some of us we rooted for the Oriels but all of us rooted for Mr. Cal Ripken Jr. #IronManCRJ

I haven't watched this yet, but I saw the first 15 seconds as an ad and then it just cut off when I was getting interested!

This is amazing

From Seattle and I vividly remember when we hosted the 2001 Allstar game which was Cal's last one of his career. Arod and Jeter made him play SS and ofcourse he hits a HR to go out with a bang. What a career!

I was waiting tables at Harborplace the night he broke the record. The homerun and end of the game were both deafening. Fun night in BMore.

Something also to note is that Ripken played a tougher position (SS) than Gherig (1B).

And to think Cal could've honestly kept the streak going probably way longer but I doubt either way we will see that broken or come close to anytime soon seeing how while it is a nice title its a lot of stress and work to put in (especially to risk injury) and I can only realistically seeing a DH only type hitter reaching for it.

that advertisement forced randomly half way through felt soooo awkward. although props for getting around my ad blocker.

I had a dream that there was going to be a secret base video on this a few days ago. What? It actually happened, wow!

Clara's voice is iconic.

My dad made me and my brother watch this game and I’m glad he did

If you're a Yankees fan, you can appreciate how awesome it was to go that far without an injury.

One of the most incredible things about Cal breaking this record is despite the Yankees and Orioles being historic division rivals that in 1995 were in a particularly heated battle for a playoff birth, Yankee fans could not have been happier a Baltimore Oriole broke Gehrig’s record. In fact we even cheered for Ripken’s homerun that helped the Orioles win the game that night despite the pennant race. If it was anyone else but Ripken no chance that happens. It speaks volumes about the respect and reputation Ripken had earned on the field.