While not the top producer of measurable stats, one thing sticks out most. Rain or shine, hurt or not, he loved to play the game, and give his all each time. A rare thing nowadays, and a great example to today's players and to the public of what a healthy work ethic can do.

I give him 5 not for ability (though he was good) but because who else would I rather have on my team? All right he can back up Honus ;-)

Amazing player.

Class act - the real Mr. Hustle of baseball.

Cal Ripken of the Baltimore Orioles was one of the greatest players to play. He was a great shortstop and a great third baseman. He won the 1982 Rookie of the Year Award, two Most Valuable Player Awards, and one Gold Glove Award. Cal Ripken Jr. had great statistics. Games: 3001, Hits: 3,184, Run Scored: 1,647, RBI: 1,695, Doubles: 603, Triples: 44, and a batting average of .276. Lou Gehrig's record of 2130 consecutive games played was broke by Cal Ripken on 9-9-1995. The new record set by Cal Ripken is 2,632 consecutive games played.

Not top 50

One of a kind since Lou Gehrig-in consistency. He should be regarded as the contemporary role model for baseball players(and other people).

Pbeavr...the streak doesn't impress you that much? I can't understand why it wouldn't. That many games without an injury or scandal to sideline him is very impressive. And Ripken was good. He was an MVP in both the 80's and 90's. He was no Ozzie Smith, but he was consistently one of the best defensive shortstops during his career, and he was the best offensive shortstop of his time. Who was a better offensive shortstop when Ripken was in his prime...Larkin would be the closest guy I could think of. A-Rod is surpassing Ripken now in regards to offensive prowess, but Rodriguez attributes his play to Ripken's example. The contemporary shortstops might be better than Ripken was, but when Ripken came along, he was the best all around shortstop the game ever saw.

You people are crazy. How can he NOT get at least a 4.5?

Cal= Consistant= Iron Man= Loyal Oriole= Best Ever

If anyone had to pass Lou Gehrig's record, I'm glad it was an upstanding man like this. But I'm still sorry Gehrig isn't the Iron Man anymore.

A great player who revolutioned a position and who streak outweights Gehrig without any comparision.One of the true greats of the game.

What can you say about a throwback type of player like Cal Ripken? I wish all players were like him. Today it's not about the team, it's about the individual. Baseball is a team sport, not an individual one. Cal's streak and the Sosa-Mcguire race did more for baseball than anything else in the past decade. Thanks Cal for the memories. Camden Yards is the best Stadium in the U.S.!!!!

Could hit and field. And could field better than he hit. Redefined the shortstop position. Saved baseball after the strike. Played through injuries. How can anyone go that maqny games in a row without getting some sort of dibilitating injury?

I'm from Baltimore and Cal Ripken Jr. is not only a great athlete but he is a stand up guy too.

Selfish player. Willing to sacrifice the good of the team for his record run at the consecutive games played. That being said, revolutionized the position so that guys like A-Rod, Nomar and Jeter could come along.

He's almost TOO perfect.

THE STREAK and all in the same town! A trowback and a pleasant diversion from the majority of greedy players. Steady as a rock. Always ready to play.

Personally I would rather have the Wizard of Oz

Cal is the most consistent player ever to play the game. The iron man is one of the most notable record in all of sports.