Ripken-like: Iron Man streaks in other sports
Sarah Langs
@SlangsOnSportsWe know that Cal Ripken Jr. holds baseball’s consecutive games played record with 2,632 straight from May 30, 1982 through Sept. 19, 1998. In baseball, it feels like one of the sport’s most unbreakable records -- only one streak since Ripken’s ended has even surpassed 1,000 games: Miguel Tejada’s 1,152-game Iron Man streak from June 2, 2000 through June 21, 2007.
Ripken’s streak is considered not only one of the most untouchable records in baseball, but in all professional sports. Here’s a look at the longest consecutive games played streaks in the three other major North American men’s professional sports.
NBA: A.C. Green -- 1,192 games, Nov. 19, 1986 - April 18, 2001
Green’s streak began when he was 23 years old, in a game at the San Antonio Spurs. It ended in his final regular-season game, as a 37-year-old for the Miami Heat at the Orlando Magic. As with all of these streaks, Green’s does not include the postseason, but it is worth noting he played in three playoff games that year before his career officially ended.
The streak, which encompassed all but 86 games of his career, began in his second career season, in 1986-87 with the Lakers. He went on to play for the Suns, Mavericks and Heat during the streak, as well as one additional stint with the Lakers in his penultimate season.
Green broke a record previously held by Randy Smith, who had a 906-game streak from 1972-83. Green played in his 907th consecutive game on Nov. 20, 1997, to gain sole possession of the NBA mark.
It should come as little surprise that Green’s nickname was the same as Ripken’s -- Iron Man. In fact, his Twitter handle is @NBA_Ironman.
Green was never an MVP winner like Ripken, but he was part of the 1988-89 All-Defensive Team, as well as a three-time NBA Champion with the Lakers and a one-time All-Star.
It isn't a games played, or even games started, streak, but another worth noting in the basketball world belongs to none other than LeBron James. He's scored in double figures in 995 consecutive games he's played, the longest such streak in NBA history -- by more than 100 games (Michael Jordan, 866).
NHL: Doug Jarvis -- 964 games, Oct. 8, 1975 - Oct. 10, 1987
Jarvis’ streak encompassed his entire career, beginning in his debut as a 20-year-old in 1975 and ending in his final career game at age 32 in 1987. Jarvis played for three teams: the Montreal Canadiens, Washington Capitals and Hartford Whalers.
Jarvis broke a record previously held by Garry Unger, who played in 914 consecutive games from 1968-79. Jarvis played in his 915th game on Dec. 26, 1986, with the Whalers against the Canadiens, his original team.
Jarvis was a four-time Stanley Cup Champion in four straight seasons from 1975-76 through 1978-79 with the Canadiens. He also won the 1983-84 Selke Award, for the top defensive forward in the NHL, and the 1986-87 Masterton Award, for qualities of perseverance and sportsmanship -- winning the latter for his consecutive games played achievement.
His streak ended in 1987 when he was sent down to the Minors, which he did not return from, retiring soon thereafter.
Another streak worth noting is Glenn Hall's streak of 502 consecutive games at the goalie position, specifically -- by far the longest streak by any goalie in NHL history. His streak spanned from Oct. 6, 1955 to Nov. 4, 1962, and all of those were starts.
NFL: Jeff Feagles -- 352 games, Sept. 4, 1988 - Jan. 1, 2010
Feagles’ 352-game streak, like Jarvis’, encompassed his entire career -- a 22-season stretch in the NFL. He was a punter, and did not miss a single game over the course of his career.
He played for the New England Patriots, Philadelphia Eagles, Arizona Cardinals, Seattle Seahawks and New York Giants in his career, spending his final seven seasons in New York.
Feagles broke a record previously held by defensive lineman Jim Marshall, who played in 282 consecutive games. He played in his 283rd consecutive game to gain sole possession of the mark on Nov. 27, 2005, for the Giants at the Seahawks, one of his former teams.
Feagles was a two-time Pro Bowl player and won Super Bowl XLII in the 2007 season with the Giants.
Another frequently-cited Iron Man streak in the NFL is Brett Favre’s streak of 297 consecutive starts, which is the most consecutive starts at any position in the sport’s history. That streak spanned from Sept. 27, 1992 to Dec. 5, 2010.
Joe Thomas' streak of 10,363 consecutive offensive snaps is also considered a record, though unofficially, as snaps have only been officially counted since 1999. His streak lasted 11 years before ending due to a torn triceps injury.