New streak holder? It's Albert Belle
Posted: Monday September 21, 1998 12:58 AM
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Belle has not missed a game since 1996 when he was a member of the Cleveland Indians David Seelig/Allsport |
CHICAGO (AP) -- Albert Belle
now leads the majors in consecutive games played, and it'll take almost 15
years for him to catch Cal Ripken.
"That's one streak I don't think he has to worry about anybody breaking.
That's incredible," Belle said, laughing. "That's one record I've never
thought about."
Ripken took himself out of the lineup Sunday night, ending his streak of
consecutive games at 2,632. That leaves Belle, who played in his 327th
straight game Sunday, with the major league lead.
Belle, 32, hasn't skipped a game since the day after the Cleveland Indians
clinched the pennant in 1996, and he doesn't plan to take any days off in
the near future.
"I'm pretty sure I'll play until we clinch or if I'd get suspended," he
said. "Those are the only two reasons not to play."
Ripken's streak is a testament to how strong the Baltimore Orioles
third baseman is -- both physically and mentally. Ripken's streak began May
30, 1982, and has outlasted three presidents, eight managers and many
players' careers. He broke Lou Gehrig's record of 2,130 straight games on
September 6, 1995.
He's played with a broken nose, a swollen knee and countless other minor
aches and pains.
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