The End of a Journey – Gwynn and Ripken

With Tony Gwynn and Cal Ripken being inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame this Sunday, I thought I would take a quick glance at the careers of both players.

	Tony Gwynn	Cal Ripken
Seasons	20	21
Hits	3,141	3,184
HR	135	431
RBI	1,138	1,695
BA	.338	.276

 

Gwynn's lifetime batting average of .338 is good for 17^th all-time and his 3,141 hits also ranks him 17^th. He led the National League in batting 8 times (tied with Honus Wagner for most ever in the NL) and was a 15-time All-Star. Known more for his hitting, Gwynn is also a 5-time Gold Glove winner and was a fine base stealer in his early years (stealing a career high 56 bases in 1987) before knee problems began to take a toll on his speed. Gwinn played in 2 World Series, but was unable to capture a championship ring despite hitting .500 in the 1998 series against the Yankees.

Many people thought Gwynn could have been the next person to hit .400 in a season. In 1994 Gwynn was making a legitimate run at .400, but with the season shortened due to the strike it was not to be. He finished 1994 with a .394 average – the closest anyone has come to hitting .400 since Ted Williams actually reached that plateau in 1941.

Ripken was a 19-time All-Star – most ever by an American League player, and a 2-time winner of the AL MVP. His 3,184 hits is good for 13^th all-time, 431 HR ranks him 30^th and 1,695 RBI is good for 20^th. He is one of 7 players in history to reach 400 home run and 3,000 hit totals (Hank Aaron, Willie Mays, Eddie Murray, Stan Musial, Dave Winfield, and Carl Yastrzemski are the others). Ripken only reached the World Series one time but he got his ring as the Orioles defeated the Phillies.

Ripken is perhaps best known for breaking Lou Gehrig's consecutive games played record. Gehrig's mark of 2130 consecutive games played was a record many thought would never be broken, particularly by a player in a more demanding position such as shortstop. His 2131^st game played was voted by baseball fans as the most memorable moment in MLB history.

Ripken's legacy extends beyond the "Iron Horse" persona, however. At 6' 4'' he was once thought too big to play shortstop. Never before had a shortstop come along with his size and still be as agile and graceful in the field as was Ripken - Cal won 2 Gold Gloves at the position.

Both players played their entire careers for the same teams, something that is becoming increasingly rare in professional sports. Their on the field accomplished leave no doubts regarding with Hall-of-Fame status, but it should also be noted both players epitomized good character, sportsmanship, and class. They were, and continue to be great ambassadors for MLB.