Washingtonpost.com: Ripken Decision Adds to an Incredible Season



	Box Score Gallery From The Post "I think it's time," Cal Ripken tells Manager Ray Miller. After more than 16 years and 2,632 consecutive games played, Ripken sat one out. Thomas Boswell: Ending the streak was in the best interests of the team and its future. Analysis: It's clear Cal Ripken has spending more time than usual pondering his baseball mortality. Even the Yankees were a little shocked. From the AP In Oklahoma, Ryan Minor's family watches as he replaces a legend. Dispute cost viewers nationally the chance to see the game. Ripken's decision stuns fans at Camden Yards. Albert Belle now leads the majors in consecutive games played. On Our Site Take a look back at the highlights of Ripken's record- setting streak in our special section. Ripken broke Lou Gehrig's record on Sept. 6, 1995. The Streak Ends Section Orioles Section Orioles Memories Baseball Section

Ripken Decision Adds to an Incredible Season

By Ben Walker
Associated Press
Sunday, September 20, 1998; 11:18 p.m. EDT

In a season when 61 became a number of the past, Cal Ripken made 2,632 a number for the ages.

Hours after Mark McGwire bashed his way deeper into the record book by hitting home run No. 65, Ripken made history in a much simpler manner Sunday night.

The humble hero merely told his manager, "I think the time is right,'' and his 16-year streak of playing every game for the Baltimore Orioles was over.

A startling end, for sure. And yet another amazing moment in what has become one of baseball's most incredible seasons ever.

– McGwire and Sammy Sosa in a home-run race that has captivated the country, and beyond. One week to go and it's still not over – Big Mac leads Sosa by two, not counting the one that McGwire may have lost Sunday afternoon because of an umpire's call.

The New York Yankees trying to become the AL's winningest team ever, closing in on the mark of 111 victories by the 1954 Cleveland Indians.

Races going down the last days. Sosa and the Chicago Cubs, out of the World Series since 1945, and the New York Mets chasing for the NL wild-card spot, the Texas Rangers and Anaheim Angels going head-to-head for the AL West.

The Florida Marlins completing the biggest tumble for a World Series champion, turning into the majors' worst team.

Rookie Kerry Wood striking out 20.

David Wells pitching the 13th perfect game in modern history.

Orlando "El Duque'' Hernandez's defection and debut.

Roger Clemens and Greg Maddux aiming for record fifth Cy Young Awards.

Big trades galore. Mike Piazza dealt from the Dodgers to the Marlins to the Mets, Randy Johnson going to Houston.

A commissioner, at last, as Bud Selig took away the "interim'' from his title and spoke proudly about how baseball has finally bounced back in this expansion season, four years after a strike wiped out the World Series and soured fans on the game.

"In 1995, that night when he broke the record was so great, especially given the nightmare of 1994,'' Selig said, giving credence to the argument that baseball's resurgence may actually have begun the night Ripken broke Lou Gehrig's consecutive games streak of 2,130.

"What he's done, he's done a great thing for baseball,'' Selig said.

So have all the others in a incredible season full of stunning accomplishments and enduring memories.

The most picturesque of them all, no doubt, was McGwire hoisting his batboy son after breaking Roger Maris' 37-year-old hme run record with Sosa joining the nationwide celebration.

And now this, a sight no one could ever remember seeing – Ripken sitting on the bench.

What a season! And it isn't even October yet.

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