The Streak: Lou Gehrig, Cal Ripken Jr., and Baseball's Most Historic Record

by John Eisenberg

The fascinating story of baseball’s most legendary “Iron Men,” Cal Ripken Jr. and Lou Gehrig, who each achieved the coveted and sometimes confounding record of most consecutive games played

When Cal Ripken Jr. began his career with the Baltimore Orioles at age twenty-one, he had no idea he’d beat the historic record of 2,130 games played in a row set by Lou Gehrig, the fabled “Iron Horse” of the New York Yankees. When Ripken beat that record by 502 games, the baseball world was floored. Few feats in sports history have generated more acclaim. But the record that Ripken now owns, quite possibly forever, spawns an array of questions. Was his streak or Gehrig’s the more difficult achievement? Who owned the record before Gehrig? When did someone first think it was a good idea to play in so many games without taking a day off?   Through probing research, meticulous analysis, and colorful parallel storytelling, The Streak delves into this impressive but controversial milestone, unraveling Gehrig’s at times unwitting pursuit of that goal and Ripken’s fierce determination to play the game his way, which resulted in his seizing of the record decades later. Along the way Eisenberg dives deep into the history of the record and offers a portrait of the pastime in different eras, going back more than a century.   The question looms: Was it harder for Ripken or Gehrig to play every day for so long? The length of seasons, the number of teams in the major leagues, the inclusion of non-white players, travel, technology, and even media are all part of the equation. Larger than all of this, however, is a book that captures the deeply American appreciation—as seen in the sport itself, its players, and its fans—for that workaday mentality and that desire to be there for the game they love, the job they are paid to do.

Genres: Baseball, Sports, Nonfiction, History, American History

320 pages, Hardcover

First published July 4, 2017

About the author

John Eisenberg is one of the country’s most acclaimed sportswriters. A native of Dallas, Texas and graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, he started out covering the “Friday Night Lights” for the now-defunct Dallas Times Herald in 1979. After rising through the ranks to cover pro basketball, he joined the staff of the Baltimore Sun in 1984. For the next 23 years he wrote columns in the Sun about the hometown Orioles, Ravens and Maryland Terrapins, and also covered major events such as the World Series, Super Bowl and Olympics. His honors included several firsts in the prestigious Associated Press Sports Editors’ contest. Since 2012 he has written columns on the Ravens’ website.

John has also authored 10 bestselling sports books, including The Streak: Lou Gehrig, Cal Ripken, Jr. and Baseball’s Most Historic Record. Published in 2017, it was a finalist for the Casey Award, which honors the year’s best baseball book, and was shortlisted for the PEN/ESPN Literary Sportswriting Award, which honors the year’s best sports book. John’s most recent title is The League: How Five Rivals Created the NFL and Launched a Sports Empire. John has also written for Sports Illustrated and Smithsonian Magazine. He lives in Baltimore with his wife of 35years. They have two grown children and a grandson.

Reviews

[Brina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Comparing and contrasting Lou Gehrig, Cal Ripken, Jr., and the durability of baseball's iron men. 4 stars, full review to come.

[Beth Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

My most recent baseball book was all about Cal Ripken, Jr., Lou Gehrig, and the consecutives games played streak!

This book was incredibly well researched, and as someone who is very familiar with Ripken and Gehrig and all things Streak, I still learned new things. As always, I think baseball is a fascinating lens through which to view history, and this book highlighted that through the exploration of the consecutive games streak.

Ripken’s consecutive games streak run in 1995 also played a huge role in reigniting a love for the sport in the heart’s of fans, following a strike-shortened season the previous year. I remember how Cal was welcomed in cities across the country, by fans cheering for sport and for work-ethic, even as he played for the opposing team. It was a beautiful picture of acknowledging a great player and milestone regardless of team affiliation, and something that made a big impact on me as an adolescent.

Full disclosure: I cried so many times reading this book. I cried for the nostalgia, I cried for the love of the game, I cried for the history made, I cried for the humble example of leadership and perseverance.

One of my favorite moments in the book was a quote from Cal the night he became the consecutive games leader: “Whether your name is Gehrig or Ripken, DiMaggio or Robinson, or that of some youngster who picks up his bat or puts on his glove, you are challenged by the game of baseball to do your very best day in and day out. And that’s all I’ve ever tried to do.”

Never have I ever brought a book to a sporting event, but I couldn’t resist the opportunity to take a picture in Oriole Park at Camden Yards on September 6th, the night Cal broke Gehrig’s consecutive game streak! And though I didn’t get to meet him last night, seeing my childhood hero in the ballpark last night, on top of an Orioles victory in a year where I am so hopeful for postseason glory, was just incredible.

[Lance · Rating 5 out of 5]

On September 6, 1995, Cal Ripken broke the record for consecutive major league baseball games played. The moment provided the sport with a much-needed boost after a strike wiped out the last six weeks and all of the postseason the previous season. The road to this moment for Ripken, as well as the streak that Lou Gehrig had to set the record broken by Ripken, is chronicled in this well written and well researched book.

John Eisenberg, a well-respected sportswriter who covered the Orioles for the Baltimore Sun, provides insight into Ripken that only one who covered him for most of career would know. Some of the details can give insight into Ripken’s competitive streak and fury - such as his not-so-sterling reputation among umpires - and his unwillingness to keep the streak alive through actions such as pinch-hitting or starting a game in the field and being removed for a pinch hitter before his first at-bat.

These two actions are ways that some other players kept similar streaks alive and many of those players who had such streaks are discussed in the book as well. While not as lengthy as the sections on the two main players of Ripken and Gehrig, the information that the reader will gain on other players who had long streaks such as Everett Scott, Billy Williams and Steve Garvey will be valuable as well. Also, the sections on Gehrig illustrate the detail with which Eisenberg writes as the reader will believe that he covered Gehrig for a newspaper beat as well as Ripken. Those passages were just as informative for a reader as those on Ripken.

Overall, this book was a very interesting one to read. The chapters alternated between Ripken, Gehrig and the other “ironmen” which made it a bit of challenge to read for me as that resulted in choppiness for me. But that issue was very minor in the overall appraisal of the book and it was one that any baseball fan will enjoy reading.

I wish to thank Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for providing a copy of the book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

http://sportsbookguy.blogspot.com/201...

[Gary Anderson]

In The Streak: Lou Gehrig, Cal Ripken Jr., and Baseball’s Most Historic Record, John Eisenberg delivers a thorough consideration of a multi-faceted baseball record. Does playing every day year after year demonstrate a high level of excellence, or is it a way to guarantee that a player will perform at less than peak capacity for extended periods of time as he plays with injuries or goes without the benefits of rest? It’s an interesting question, isn’t it? Is a record worth anything if there is nothing inherently qualitative about it? Does simply stepping foot on a baseball diamond constitute anything of value to a player’s team? Eisenberg combines stories and statistics as he explores all sides of this debate. The research included in The Streak is enhanced by the drama of Lou Gehrig’s physical decline as he established the consecutive-game record and the media frenzy surrounding Cal Ripken Jr. as he pursued it. Gehrig and Ripken are rightfully the main focuses of The Streak, but Eisenberg also discusses other players who had extended streaks that were broken by choice or chance, including Billy Williams, Steve Garvey, and several early-era players.If you’re looking for an excellent baseball book, here you go.

[Chris Jaffe · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was quite a bit better than it had any right to be.

This one didn't look that interesting to me when I first saw it, but there was nothing else baseball-related that looked better at the moment. And I'm a chump who is always looking for another book to read. So what the hell.

Yeah, it's pretty good, actually. The heart of it are a series of alternating chapters covering the streaks of Gehrig and Ripken and their ups and downs. These are well-done. But Eisenberg also covers a lot of the other key moments in the history of streaks. He also has a few chapter on the original Iron Man: Everett Scott and how his one went. He even goes back to the primordial Iron Men, and how they did back when no one payed any attention. George Pinkney was the pre-Scott consecutive games leader, a fact that no one knew until after Scott passed him up. (He was also the all-time consecutive innings leader until Cal Ripken passed him up - again, something no one knew until after he'd been passed up). You also get bits on some other Iron Men - Billy Williams, Miguel Tejada, Steve Garvey, Pete Rose, and others.

Eisenberg combines looking through newspapers and archival material with interviews with as many people as he could. (Billy Williams, despite playing in over 1,000 consecutive games, thinks the streaks are bad ideas. But fellow 1000 Game Club member Steve Garvey is all gung ho for them. In fact, much of the book notes debates on the purpose of these streaks - or, more accurately - if they serve any purpose at all).

A chapter on the end deals with why streaks are rare now than before. It's OK, but does get into a bit of back-in-my-day-ism as some of the players say how now 140 games in a year is a complete season. (Eisenberg never personally makes these statements, but he doesn't try to fact check them either). I mean, streaks are rarer now - but they've always been rare.

It's a surprising good book, all things considered.

[Kylea Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

In May of 1939, Lou Gehrig set the major league’s record of 2,130 consecutive games played. Nearly 60 years later, in 1998, shortstop Cal Ripken Jr. ended his new consecutive streak at 2,632 games played. Even though the two men were built from two different baseball worlds, both played through injuries, illnesses, and changes in management showing the durability of a true baseball player. However, many others came before both of the greats, and had similar struggles to make it to the top of such an overlooked achievement. John Eisenberg highlights the achievements of Lou Gehrig, Cal Ripken Jr., and any other ball player known to have come close to such an accomplishment. This neglected accomplishment would soon be known as Baseball’s Most Historic Record.
Throughout the book, Cal Ripken Jr. was my favorite character to read about. The author gathered his resources very well, and made you feel like you were actually in the dugout with the Baltimore Orioles in the 80’s and 90’s. Every injury that Ripken faced and illness he suffered was explained to the fullest, and allowed you know what was on the line for Ripken. While in the dugout, you can experience what other players thought of Ripken and his tenacity towards the game of baseball. An amazing example of this would be at my favorite part in the book. The beginning of the book really highlights the thoughts and feelings running through the minds of the crowd, players, umpires, and the broadcasters when Ripken first breaks Lou Gehrig’s consecutive game streak of 2,131 games played. Everything that is written makes you feel like you were at the Camden Yards where the Orioles have played since 1992. This is also a very well written part of the book, illustrating the excitement of the crowd and the fulfillment of a prestigious accomplishment by an amazing ball player.
All books have to have a weak point in their writing, and this one has a few. During the course of my reading, I would find myself falling asleep or become lost in thought. Some parts of this book tried to fit in too much information into a small section of this book. Any part of the book that did not consist of Ripken, would seem as though you were trying to read an instruction manual. Towards page 124, things became slow while reading the accomplishments of Gehrig in his 1929 season as a first baseman for the New York Yankees. Although the book had a few rough spots, it still brought me joy to read about the sport of baseball.
I would give this book a rating of three stars over all. Although it was an enjoyable book, many times I felt as though I was getting bored while reading. Many great writing techniques were used to accomplish his goal; however, I believe readers would have loved to see a more visual representation of Lou Gehrig’s struggles and the events he had to endeavor to reach his consecutive game streak. I would recommend this book to any Baltimore Orioles or New York Yankees fan that would like to know more about their teams past. If you love the game of baseball, and are a fan of either team, this book may be one to put on your “To Do List”.

[Agatha Donkar Lund · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ah, this was so great. Not sure if it's for a baseball fan who isn't an Orioles fan, but probably it is - it's thoroughly well-researched and perfectly structured, interspersing chapters about Cal's pursuit of the record with those who set records before and chased them after Gehrig, along with of course plenty of good stuff about Gehrig himself. Eisenberg is a longtime Orioles beat writer for the Baltimore Sun, and he wrote this with lots of genuine affection and genuine smarts.

I did learn from this that Buster Olney and Bill Simmons are the only two baseball fans on the planet who think Cal Ripken was a selfish jerk, and also I learned that Steve Garvey was a stand up dude. Previously I only hated Simmons, and had no opinion on Garvey, so congrats, Buster Olney, for being voted garbage based on this book, instead of being uplifted into "that's a good guy" status like Garvey.

[Allen Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

http://www.themaineedge.com/sports/th...

No American professional sport is as enamored of its own history as baseball. The combination of the statistical and the anecdotal provides a wide-ranging record that allows lovers of the game to find the connections with the strongest personal resonance.

Baseball loves its records – and it particularly loves its records that it perceives as unbreakable. No one is ever again going to win 511 games in a career like Cy Young did; the game has changed too much. The likelihood of someone proving able to match Joe DiMaggio’s 56-game hitting streak or Rickey Henderson’s 130 steals in a season is slim; while the skill sets still exist, the odds are overwhelmingly against such feats being matched.

But somewhere in between, in the central overlap of the Venn diagram of skill and durability, is a record that consists solely of showing up.

Veteran sportswriter John Eisenberg explores that record – most consecutive games played – in his new book “The Streak: Lou Gehrig, Cal Ripken Jr., and Baseball’s Most Historic Record” (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, $26). It’s a thorough look at two men who became celebrated “Iron Men” for their single-minded devotion to the game they loved; incredibly talented ballplayers who nevertheless wound up defined by the fact that they refused to take a day off.

For decades, the number 2,130 had special, almost talismanic meaning for fans of baseball history. That was the number of consecutive games in which New York Yankees first baseman Lou Gehrig played; from June 1, 1925 through April 30 of 1939, Gehrig played in every single Yankees game. His streak came to an end due to illness – an illness that was soon diagnosed as amyotrophic later sclerosis (ALS) and would ultimately become known by the name of the famous athlete felled by it.

While this kind of streak wasn’t always a big deal – the man Gehrig passed was Everett Scott, whose 1,307-game run was viewed as more of a curiosity than anything – after Gehrig, it entered into fandom’s consciousness in a real way. But while a handful of players put together impressive runs in subsequent decades – Billy Williams managed over 1,100 in the 1960s; Steve Garvey got as far as 1,207 before injury felled him in 1983 – no one ever put forth a real challenge to the Iron Horse.

And then came Cal Ripken Jr.

Ripken was a rookie, a baseball legacy kid who was talented but still raw when he came up to the Baltimore Orioles in the early 1980s to play shortstop. A big guy who redefined the possible physical attributes of his position, he hardly seemed a candidate to make a run at Gehrig. But starting on May 30, 1982, Ripken simply never stopped playing. Through injuries and labor stoppages and slumps and whatever else you like, he never stopped playing.

In 1995, Ripken helped reinvigorate a sport still reeling from a strike, passing Gehrig on September 6 when he played in his 2,131st straight game. He’d go on to tack on 500 more for good measure, finally bringing the streak to a close in September of 1998.

“The Streak” masterfully weaves together these two narratives, bringing the journeys of both men into sharp individual focus while also finding ways to juxtapose them. Both men were legendary talents, Hall of Fame players whose production places them in the upper echelon of all-timers. And yet, both of their legacies are defined by these streaks. Their greatness would not have been lessened if either had taken the occasional day off; indeed, many argued that the streaks had a negative impact on both individual and team success.

Yet there’s something relatable about this particular record, something that allows the common fan to connect in a way that other records preclude. Because, at its core, this record is about doing your job. It’s about doing what you do to the best of your abilities even when circumstances might not be ideal for doing so. We all go to work at something less than our best sometimes; that’s what Gehrig and Ripken did. We might not be able to hit a ball 500 feet or throw it 100 miles per hour, but we can show up to work every day.

Eisenberg was a Baltimore sportswriter during Ripken’s streak, so he’s certainly close to the story on that end. However, Gehrig is also meticulously covered – the degree of research put forth throughout is astounding. The two tales are laid out in parallel, moving back and forth between the stories as each man continues his streak through all manner of obstacles large and small.

While Gehrig and Ripken are the two Ironmen that serve as the book’s focus, “The Streak” also spends some time with a few players who had notable stretches of their own. The aforementioned Scott, Williams and Garvey get some run. So do old-time guys like George Pinkney and Joe Sewell, along with some mid-century guys like Stan Musial and more recent streakers like Miguel Tejada and Prince Fielder. Of course, Gehrig and Ripken remain the stars of the show.

“The Streak” is a phenomenal read for anyone interested in baseball history. These streaks are indelible highlights in the game’s long and winding story, while Gehrig and Ripken are players without whom that story could never be fully told. Well-researched and engagingly-written, this book will captivate fans of our national pastime.

[Marty Monforte · Rating 3 out of 5]

"The Streak" is a book written by John Eisenberg about the consecutive games played record set by Cal Ripkin, Jr.. The book compares the careers and streaks of Ripkin and Lou Gehrig, the player who previously held the streak. The book also discusses other baseball players who previously played in many consecutive games before Gehrig held the record and before Ripkin eventually attained the mark.

Here are some takeaways from the book:

1. For a along time, major league baseball and the public did not pay much attention to how many games a player played in consecutively. The record started to become more appreciated in the 1920's or so. It took a while for managers and other baseball observers to value the record.

2. Throughout most of baseball history, players did not like being injured because they did not want to lose their jobs. For most of baseball history, the players did not have guaranteed contracts, so the teams could let them go if they got injured often.

3. Cal Ripkin Jr. was influenced by his father's work ethic. He taught his sons to do the best job possible that whatever job they did. However, Cal Ripkin Jr. went beyond what anyone expected by playing in so many consecutive games.

4. In addition to being born into a baseball family, Ripkin joined a team, the Baltimore Orioles, that had players who had a strong work ethic. Eddie Murray, Ken Singleton and others wanted to play as much as possible and did not try and miss games.

5. By age 24, Ripkin jr., had accomplished a lot. He was the rookie of the year, helped the Orioles win the World Series over the Philadelphia Phillies in 1983 and won an MVP award.

6. Ripkin Jr.,'s father was fired after only 6 games as manager of the Orioles. The Orioles began the season by losing their first 21 games. At the time, Ripkin Jr. and his brother Billy were on the Orioles. It was difficult for both sons to see their dad fired by the team.

7. There were many players in the history of baseball who put together good streaks of consecutive games plated. In addition to Ripkin and Gehrig, they include Everett Scott; Joe Sewell;Eddie Yost;Stan Musial; Pete Rose; Steve Garvey and others.

8. Not everyone felt that the streaks of consecutive games played were good for baseball or the individual players. Some saw them as gimmicks or stunts, while others have appreciated them as signifying a strong work ethic.

9. The author does a good job of comparing Gehrig's streak and Ripkin's streak. The author looks at the playing surfaces that each played on; the fact that Gehrig played in day games, while Ripkin played at night and during the day; the difference in media outlets, as Gehrig was covered by a largely supportive print media, while Ripkin dealt with the print media and the television media. Positional demands and travel are also contrasted.

10. The author discusses the different reasons why there has been a philosophical change in how we look at the idea of playing in many consecutive games. There are many reasons why teams and players look at these streaks differently than they were looked at in the past. The amount of money that the players make and the fact that players and teams want the players to avoid injury are the two biggest reasons why this topic is perceived differently than in the past.

I would recommend this book to baseball fans who are interested in the history of the game. The author did a good job of researching this topic and of conducting interviews with various players. This is an interesting topic in the history of baseball, and the author covered it well.

[Dominick · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Streak tells the stories of several Major League Baseball (MLB) players and their efforts to win the record for the most games played in a row without being taken out due to injury. It chronicles the first player, Lou Gehrig, to strive for and achieve the highest record while telling the stories of several other MLB players including Cal Ripken Jr. who also chased that record. These records continue to motivate athletes, serving as a symbol of tenacity and unwavering commitment in the realm of Major League Baseball. The legacy of "The Streak" extends beyond the realm of baseball, becoming a source of inspiration for individuals in all walks of life, reminding us of the power of perseverance and dedication in achieving greatness.

My favorite MLB player in this book is Cal Ripken Jr. Ripken is known for his size and strength and is arguably one of the greatest MLB players past and present. He had physical durability, a great skill set, and true dedication to the game we both love. The part of the book I enjoyed the most was when Cal Ripken Jr. beat Lou Gehrig's record. Ripkens attempt seemed like such an unattainable goal but it confirmed that if you put your mind to something you can do it. It's a historic moment in baseball that showcases Ripken's dedication and determination to baseball.

The main thing I did not like about the book was the author’s decision to go so far back in baseball history. He referenced players from as far back as the 1800s and that part was a bit boring since they neither came close to Gehrig’s achievement much less Cal Ripken Jr's. Also, I think Eisenberg didn't have to go into such deep detail with the random games that happened before anyone got close to the record. I would have preferred if he could have provided more details about how the athletes kept themselves healthy and safe.

I gave The Streak a rating of 4.5 because I enjoyed the way the author provided the stories of each player. Also I loved how Eisenberg weaved two different narratives into this one book. I related to the love for baseball, however, some of the content seemed a bit irrelevant. I feel the author could have given a more general history and then started with Lou Gehrig’s journey to set the initial record lasting fifty-six years. I honestly really enjoyed the book and I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys baseball or impressive records in general.

[Wesley Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book that I chose to read was The Streak by John Eisenberg. This book talks about the streak of most consecutive games played in MLB history. So let's talk about Cal Ripken Jr. He was always on the move as a child due to his father, Cal Ripken Sr, being a coach down in the Baltimore Orioles minor league system. Junior grew up baseball. He was baseball through and through. In his senior year of high school, he was averaging a .688 batting average and a 0.75 ERA (earned run average). Junior was named MVP of Harford County baseball and led his team, Aberdeen High School, to a state title. He was then drafted in the second round, 48th overall, of the MLB Draft to the Baltimore Orioles. Junior went through the Orioles minor league system with no major setbacks and ended up making his first major league start on August 10, 1981 as a pinch runner in the 12th inning of a game to seal a win for his team.

This book has many viewpoints. It talks about streaks before Junior’s like Lou Gehrig and George Pinkey. It goes into the minds of reporters, coaches, writers, journalists, and even other baseball players. Turning the page to find out that there is a new chapter means that there is a new story or a new streak that is so fascinating and interesting. Also, it contained a lot of factual and real data that came from reliable sources.

I personally do not like how it went straight into Junior’s streak and how it stated it so fast. I wish the author would’ve taken more time to space out every little tiny detail about Juniors life throughout the book. Or even do a chapter about Junior every 3 chapters or so. Also, I wish they did more chapters on Lou Gerhig. He was “The Iron Man” of baseball as well before Junior, so why doesn’t he get a bunch of stories about him? Lou Gerhig did the same thing that Junior did. He showed up to work every day to do the thing he loves most, play ball.

I would give this book 4.5 stars because there is always room for improvement. This is a very well put together book with little to no flaws. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and loved reading about all of the streaks that happened before Junior. It is amazing how just showing up to work every day can make such an impact on one’s life. Use Junior and Lou as an example to be consistent in everything that you do.

[Murray · Rating 5 out of 5]

In late May of 1982, I had the opportunity to meet Cal Ripken before a game, during a rain delay. We sat in the dugout, watching the rain, talking briefly. We are only about a year apart in age, so I was aware of his high school exploits as an outstanding pitcher. Since his father was a coach for the Orioles, his name was already known in small circles around the Baltimore metro area well before his major league debut. A few days after meeting him, Cal began The Streak.

While I don't take any credit for the streak (!), the point of my story is that I followed his career, very closely, from 1981 to the final days in 2001. I thought that I knew everything that there was to know about him, until I read this book. Admittedly, I did know a lot, but Eisenberg did a good job getting into Cal's head either by interviewing him or through discussions with those that know him best.

When I first heard of this book, I feared it might be a 'fluff' piece filled with the same old stories and observations found in the newspaper, Sports Illustrated or ESPN. Where Eisenberg succeeds most is with his in depth research surrounding not just Lou Gehrig, but all of the other players who established long streaks both before and after Gehrig reached 2130. He does an excellent job describing the psychology of players during each era and goes in depth talking about why some players do not ever want to be taken out of a game while others are less passionate about it. Along the way, he provides interesting profiles and anecdotes on Everett Scott, Billy Williams, Steve Garvey, Stan Musial and a few other players who, at one point, challenged (if that's the right word) Gehrig's record.

The mythology of Lou Gehrig has always intrigued me. As a kid, I had heard so may stories of his prowess and character, he might as well have been Zeus himself. His happy life followed the most tragic and ironic of scripts; his sudden demise and death unfathomable to anyone paying attention. To this day, the arc of his life seems like it should be carved in stone and handed down from generation to generation. Eisenberg does a great job bringing him back to life for this book, which was one of the things I enjoyed most about it.

[Preston Howard · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a very interesting read for baseball gurus, such as myself. It dives deep into the specific statistics of consecutive games played by many major league players. It also gives great insight into what the game of baseball was like before our time. John Eisenberg, the author, also describes how statistics developed as time went on, improving the legitimacy of many “streaks.”
There were many different aspects of this book that I really liked. For example, I enjoyed the way that the chapters were organized, alternating the stories of Cal Ripken Jr., Lou Gehrig, and the past-time of baseball’s consecutive game streak. Another aspect of this book that I liked is that it contained players that I recognized, such as Babe Ruth, Pete Rose, Adam Jones, and Eddie Murray. My favorite part of the story was Cal Ripken’s victory lap, after he broke Lou Gehrig’s previous consecutives games played streak. Eisenberg did a great job of going into detail about the experience, elaborating on every aspect, in order to aid the reader in soaking in the entire scene. Lastly, one thing that stuck with me was the way Eisenberg described the streak, saying that it did not require great hitting or fielding. That it only took great strength and durability to perform well enough in consecutive games, which not many had.
Although there were a lot of pros throughout the book, there were also some cons. One of the biggest cons that I have against this book is that it got a little repetitive towards the end. What I mean by this, is that it continued to keep talking about Cal and his streak, but I mean what can you do when writing a statistical book such as this one. An improvement the author could’ve made was to elaborate more about the game of baseball after Cal’s time. About how the game and statistics have improved/developed even more over more recent years.
If I was to rate this book, I would give it a very solid 4 out of 5 stars. John Eisenberg did very well putting the story together, which gave it good flow. Also, no book is perfect and there is always room for improvement which is why I would not rate it a 5. I would most definitely recommend this book to a friend, especially one who enjoys baseball.

[Ben Austin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cal Ripken Jr. is a professional baseball player for the Baltimore Orioles. He’s had a very successful career. He’s a player that shows a lot of enthusiasm for the sport of baseball. Players around the league respect him for his play and for the way he leads. Cal Ripken Jr. has a few bumps in the road in his career over the streak of how many games played in a row.
I love Cal Ripken Jr, he truly love the game of baseball which not all players do; some play for the money but he played for the love of the game. The author did a great job of connecting the people in the book together to make it seem as if it was happening right now. I couldn’t put the book down once I started reading it because something new as if it was a problem like his knee or other players like Regan showing their love for Cal. My favorite part was when he found his dad on page 222 waved to him and his dad wave back. I thought that was such a cool moment for him and that would be every baseball players dream. Joseph Eisenberg did a phenomenal job keeping the book interesting and making u want to read more.
I wish the book would love some more of the father’s point of view and feelings of his son as he is continuing the streak. His teammates were to overshadowed in their opinions. The only negative opinions were mainly coming from the fans or from reporters. There should’ve been more variety of who was in for the streak and for who was. This book wouldn’t have any appeal for someone who doesn’t like baseball or doesn’t know anything about baseball.
This book was very entertaining and it was really hard to put down. I would give it a four star rating out of five. Joseph Eisenberg did a fantastic job highlighting Cal Ripken Jr’s bumpy but amazing career. He showed all the good parts of going through the streak like the fans loving him at the very end as he passes Lou Gehrig for consecutive games played. As well all the hate he got for people thinking that he’s selfish and playing any game just for the record and not for the right reasons. This was an amazing book and I highly recommend it for any person looking for a good read who is a fan of baseball.

[Corbin Quiroz · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Streak begins by expressing that Cal Ripken Junior has one of the greatest achievements in sports history. That achievement is the longest consecutive games played streak in MLB history, which he accumulated over sixteen years. “(2,632)”. He broke Lou Ghegri’s 2,130 game streak on the night of September 6th, 1995. Ripken wasn't a flash player, he was super humble. Even though the media would write about him being a selfish player. He wouldn’t want a day off even though he was sick, sore, or had a bad sprain. If he felt good enough his manager would pencil him in the lineup. Let’s just say he felt good enough for a long time. Ripken’s streak wasn’t the only thing glorious about his career, he had 3,184 hits, 1,695 RBIs, and 431 home runs. He Appeared in 15 All-Star games, and was the first shortstop to collect 3,000 hits and 400 home runs. Sports writers say that Ripken was one of the true ball players in recent baseball history.

My favorite character in my book is Cal Ripken Junior because he’s a great example of a true ballplayer. He never took days for himself until his later years. His career stats are legendary. He’s played through serious injuries and pain. But I think the most important takeaway was he enjoyed what he did and was good at it, he honed his craft. He’s an icon in baseball for all that he has achieved. He’s a baseball hall of famer, 15x all-star, 2x AL MVP, is part of the 3,000 hit club, and won a World Series championship. Even with all that he has achieved he never was arrogant, he always stayed humbled. This book has taught me a lot about a small fraction of baseball’s history.

The Things that I didn’t like about the book was that in the introduction of the book it kinda started off slow, which didn’t make me anxious to see what the book had to offer. But after that the book became very interesting and educational.

On a five star scale I would rate “The Streak Lou Gehrig, Cal Ripken Jr., and Baseball's Most Historic Record” a solid 4.6. I enjoyed reading about Lou Gehrig and Cal Ripken Junior's incredible consecutive games played streaks. If you are into baseball history I would highly recommend this book.

[Zach Koenig · Rating 5 out of 5]

There might not be a stranger baseball record than the one for consecutive games played. The record holders (most notably Lou Gehrig & Cal Ripken Jr.) are revered for their toughness and perseverance, yet at the same time questioned for their perceived selfishness in putting personal glory over "the success of the team". Author John Eisenberg tackles all those issues (and more) in "The Steak".

There are three main parts of this book (all interwoven within each other):

-A sort of side-by-side analysis of both Gehrig and Ripken over the duration of their famous streaks.

-A look at some of the other players (before, in-between, and after) who amassed impressive streaks, but never cracked the territory of the above two.

-A conversation about how important the streak record really is, and whether it "deserves the hype", so to speak.

I whipped through this book in a matter of days, as it was so well-written and thought-provoking. It was very interesting to see the differences (as well as similarities) between Gehrig and Ripken. A lot of the new information I gleaned from the book came from Eisenberg's delving into shorter streaks in order to get a whole picture of consecutive games streaks in baseball. I think that's really the key thing to remember about this book: It isn't a book about a single person (Gehrig or Ripken), but rather a very well-researched tome about the history of streaks of all kind.

Thus, "The Streak" will appeal to baseball historians (Gehrig angle), middle-aged fans (Ripken story), and even those in the current mindset of sabermetrics (the argument over whether streaks are ultimately harmful or helpful to teams). The best part of it all? Eisenberg doesn't come to a conclusion (or at least doesn't draw one for you), as there isn't one to be had. Instead, he lays out all the pertinent facts/narratives and lets the reader decide the importance of "streak-ology", if you will. A great read for baseball fans of all ilk.

[Jacob · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cal Ripken's chase to reach Lou Gehrig's "unbreakable" record of 2,130 consecutive baseball games played was so celebrated by the time it reached its pinnacle in 1995 that it's easy to forget just how heavily criticized he was in other years during "The Streak." This informative book covers the highs and the lows of both Ripken's and Gehrig's storied runs. It also includes insightful interviews with other players who have compiled long streaks, such as Steve Garvey and Billy Williams, who offered their perspectives on how (and why) they were able to stay on the field without taking a day off -- and whether they were helping or hurting their ballclubs by doing so. Since the author is a longtime Baltimore Sun columnist who personally covered Ripken's most memorable games, this book also includes some terrific behind-the-scenes stories from before and during the record-setting 2,131st game on September 6, 1995. (Rex Hudler's quest to secure a souvenir from that night is a particularly endearing segment.) Gehrig's struggle to keep his famous streak going in spite of many injuries and an ultimately fatal illness is also covered here, as the author alternates chapters between the two Hall of Fame stars, but that fertile ground has been plowed in more detail by many other writers. What makes this book most engaging, besides all of the Ripken stories, is how the author traces the origins and progression of the consecutive-games-played record back to the 19th century and how these long streaks by men such as George Pinkney and Everett Scott were portrayed at the time. The book concludes with a discussion of why we're unlikely to see anyone in modern baseball challenge Ripken's record for a long time.

[Len Knighton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been a Baltimore Orioles fan for 60 years. I have been blessed to witness some of their most memorable moments: the first four World Series games, the winning of their first World Series in 1966, the final three games in Memorial Stadium in 1991, the first game in Camden Yards, and many others. But what stands out most are the games of September 5-6, 1995 when Cal Ripken, Jr. tied and broke Lou Gehrig’s consecutive games played record.
THE STREAK is not only about Ripken’s record streak of 2,632 consecutive games but also about other significant streaks, including, of course, Gehrig’s 2130. John Eisenberg closely examines the varying elements of a streak and why it is likely that Ripken’s record will never be broken.
While it is impossible to mark every detail of such a moment as breaking a record like Gehrig’s, there were a number of indicators showing how the whole country was caught up in the excitement. One missed by Eisenberg occurred on September 3. THIS WEEK WITH DAVID BRINKLEY was a great success on Sunday mornings because of Brinkley’s wit and the round table discussion during the last ten minutes of the program. On that day, the panel concluded its discussions by commenting on Ripken’s record. George Will, a regular on the show and a great baseball fan, (he featured Ripken in one chapter of his book MEN AT WORK), enthusiastically applauded Ripken while Brinkley and Sam Donaldson mildly scoffed at it. Nevertheless, the Streak was the talk of the nation that weekend and beyond. For months afterward, friends came up to me and asked “Were you there?” knowing that I would know what they were asking about.
A wonderful book for baseball fans.

Four stars waxing

[Scott Martin · Rating 3 out of 5]

(3.5 Stars) This work focuses on primarily two players, Lou Gehrig and Cal Ripken Jr., but it also discusses the idea of consecutive games played in Major League Baseball. It bills itself as a bit of a comparative biography between Gehrig and Ripken, but a good bit of time is dedicated to the idea of consecutive games played at the highest level of pro baseball. What makes Ripken’s streak so remarkable is that not only he managed to avoid the big injuries, but that he played at a high level for most of that time. His production as a shortstop/3rd baseman would have probably been enough to get him into the Hall of Fame, but that he did it day in and day out (ok, there was some gamesmanship of pulling him at strategic times, or only using him to pinch-hit, but then again, other, like Gehrig, did the same thing) would set him apart from all others. Gehrig was in the same boat. If he wasn’t batting behind Ruth, Gehrig might have been the premier slugger of his day, but his numbers (still a leader in career grand slams) would probably be enough to get him into the HoF, but his “Iron Man” streak put him over the edge.

This book is really for the baseball fan, but it is engaging and informative. It is also not just a comparative bio of Gehrig and Ripken, as there are other individuals mentioned. Honestly, it would not surprise me if Ripken’s streak becomes something like Cy Young’s 500+ wins as a baseball stat never to be beaten (and for reference, Ripken holds the record as of this review internationally, as he beat out a Japanese competitor). Living in Baltimore, Ripken is on the Mount Rushmore of local athletes, but still, this was an interesting and informative read.

[patrick Lorelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Most people know about the streak and this book goes into depth about not only Lou Gehrig, but also Cal Ripken. It opens with the scene of Ripken going around the stadium when he broke the record. I remember watching it that night, but I wonder what it would be like in this day with all of devices that we have at our finger tips. The author breaks down both players careers and even goes as far as if either one had hurt their team by playing so many straight games. Of course Gehrig had a much higher lifetime avg, home runs, and RBI’S Ripken had more hits getting over 3,000. So one could say up until when Gehrig took himself out his last year he did not hurt them until then, but his drop off was huge and of course we all know why now. For Ripken the author goes back and forth between different writers and their opinions some I think just think that no one should play all of those games in a row. There is also a thought that because of the grind of the season that rest or day off is needed especially if you play a night game and then a day game. Who really knows? The author also gives a look into the past at the people before Gehrig and some the records that he would break and how really no one kept record of those stats back then. Overall a very good book full of facts and information. I got this book from Netgalley.com I gave it 4 stars. Follow us at www.1rad-readerreviews.com

[Joe · Rating 4 out of 5]

A perfect way to get excited for the new season.

If you are looking for a baseball story book rather than the stat geek tomes, John Eisenberg brings a nice fluid connective tissue about endurance, persistence and performance. Something that will probably never be broken (but they said that before...)

A breezy read highlighting some insider perspectives from managers, teammates, owners and management intertwined with the experiences of various players from the dead ball era through Miguel Tejada. While it yo-yos mostly between the two most famous historical baseball consecutive games played streak markers, Gehrig and Ripken, Eisenberg weaves in sections dedicated to the hisotry of the record itself and less lauded record holders such as NL record holders Stan Musial, Billy Williams. It also does a fair comparative discussing on which might have been tougher along with differing opinions on the value of the streaks versus taking days off.

What I mostly appreciated was some of the minutiae and details about the tricks that some players used to keep their streaks going in different periods based on their interpretations of the rules or when the Yankees preemptively cancelled a game due to potential impending rain when Gehrig's mom was in court being sued for an accident to insure the streak kept going. That attention to detail and the telling of those instances is probably the parts of this book that will stick with me.

[Ben · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was in either fifth grade when Cal Ripken Jr. broke Lou Gehrig's record and I still have fond memories of being at both 2,130 and 2,131. My dad had gone down to the stadium as soon as they announced the strike was over and getting tickets to the record-tying and record-breaking games. Because I was so young I don't remember the debate about whether he should have stopped the streak earlier, so it was quite interesting to see that covered in depth--not just about Ripken but also for Gehrig and others.

A few things stand out. First, Ripken did not resort to tricks that Gehrig and others had to use at times to keep streaks alive, such as only playing a half inning and then getting pulled so they could rest. Second, I do wonder if the Orioles' mediocrity for so long actually made it more possible to keep the streak going. They didn't make the playoffs between i think 1983 and 1996, which is when the bulk of the streak occurred. And in many of those years they weren't even close to the playoffs. That makes the risk of playing someone who may be slumping not as great because what do you have to play for? In some regards, that makes the Gehrig streak more impressive because the Yankees were mostly good for his run. That said, the overall talent level of baseball then was probably lower so some of his numbers.

Finally, I will say it did give me some solace to read this at the same time that Manny Machado got traded and remember some fonder Orioles memories.

[Mike Kennedy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to the audio version of this book. Very good book that centers around the Iron Man record for most consecutive games played in the major leagues. This book spends most of its time recalling both Lou Gehrig’s and Cal Ripken Junior’s streaks in the majors. It does also spent some time recounting other streaks through out baseball history.

The author did an excellent job moving the story along, and separating the stories into sections without making it seem choppy. I liked how he talked about all of the major streaks in the major leagues not just Cal Ripken Junior’s and Lou Gehrig’s.

I found it extremely interesting to hear about the ins and outs and near misses of the streaks ending. After reading this book I would have to say Cal Ripken Junior streak was more impressive than Lou Gehrig’s. Cal started pretty much every game in streak, and played most of the innings. While Lou’s was impressive, he used pinch hit at bats and short defensive stints to extend the streak.

Lou’s streak was still more legit than some of the other streaks that made it about half the way to Lou’s in the 1950s. For example Stan Musial, who at one time held the National League record for most games played in a row, once continued his streak by appearing on the starting lineup card even though he never batted or played one second in the field.

Overall this was a very interesting book. I would highly recommend it if you are a baseball fan.

[Justin · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are some seriously dry sections (Ripken's story and approach is pretty well known, and even Eisenberg's access and insight doesn't change that) and his reporter's background weighs a little on his prose at times. His description of the record-breaking night is a marvelous read, though.

Eisenberg's at his best filling out the history. He interweaves three lines of narrative: Ripken, Gehrig, and the other ironmen with top streaks. The structure works wonderfully, and his tales of baseball's early players are the highlights of the book. As he moves to modern ironmen like Steve Garvey, his interviews open up more of the psychology of playing every day.

His chapter on the wisdom of daily play could have gone a little deeper into the subject (and his newly acquired SABR membership might have been helpful here), but it's a good overview of the debate.

The book should satisfy its target audience, baseball fans serious enough to want to look into The Streak. There aren't the non-baseball or cultural issues or bizarre biographies that might engage a more casual fan, but that's not the goal, and there's plenty of meat here for those interested in the topic.

[Based on a NetGalley advance copy.]

[Andy Huette · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed learning lots of little tidbits of baseball history, such as the strained relationship between straight-laced Lou Gehrig and the hedonist Babe Ruth. It was also interesting to get a behind-the-scenes look at Ripkens streak--the criticism, the slumps, the times he played through pain, and the way that his streak rejuvenated MLB after the players went on strike.

The book also raised the question of whether or not playing without rest is a good idea. Ripken and Gehrig seemed to play out of a sense of moral duty. They saw honor in being hard-working and dependable. I really do respect that, but by the end of the book, I began to wonder about the wisdom of the streak as well.

After about 80-100 pages, I didn't find myself excited to pick up the book because at the end of the day, the plot is simply not that exciting. An endurance streak of 2,632 games is amazing, but it's not riveting. So, I'll round up my 2.5 stars to 3, just out of reverence for the streak, but I'm still not sure whether the 266 pages was worth it.

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this a very interesting read. Enjoyed both sections though of course I am more familiar with Ripken (my time period) than Gehrig so it was good to learn more and see him as more than the man speaking at Yankee Stadium at the end of his career. I think what really made the book work were the sections in between that looked at baseball streaks in general, a little history of statistics in baseball, and more importantly the people and their own feelings about their streaks. I am not much on metrics; my enjoyment of baseball lies in joy of playing, strategy, and teams that work for the whole rather than individual achievements so it was refreshing that both Ripken and Gehrig were more concerned with their contributions to their teams than setting out to establish records.

[Sandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this in honor of the 20th anniversary of the completion of the streak. As an Orioles fan, I enjoyed some of the insights from Ripken's streak itself as well as some of the context of the other streaks that rivaled it. I learned a lot of about Gehrig and Everett Scott, not to mention some interesting stories about Steve Garvey and Billy Williams, not to mention the reminder that folks like Pete Rose also did some impressive things. That said, I don't think I walk away with any greater appreciation for the streak or any huge realization of anything. No fault to Eisenberg, but the book felt more like a walk down memory lane with some additional historical context than an appreciation of the streak many years later.

[Jeff · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent book that covers the consecutive games played streaks by Lou Gehrig and Cal Ripken Jr., comparing and contrasting the two in alternate chapters and placing each streak in the context of baseball at the time of each. It also delves into the stories of other long streaks such as Everett Scott's, as well as other players who may not have played hundreds of games consecutively but who are known for their endurance. I know some found the hopping back and forth between the two stories a bit distracting but I found it to be a very engaging way of putting each streak into the context of baseball history. Being a huge fan of Ripken and a great admirer of Gehrig, I found the book very engaging and interesting. Highly recommended for any baseball history buff.

[Susan Lorenz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read a baseball book every spring as the new season begins. I remember so vividly the night Cal Ripken Jr. broke Gehrig's record: the 2,131 banner unfurling, Cal's triumphant lap around the ball park in the middle of the fifth, the amazing baseball history made. Learned so much about Lou Gehrig too as my previous exposure to him was Gary Cooper's portrayal in "Pride of the Yankees". As a life-long, die-hard Cubs fan, I appreciated that the author devoted a number of pages to the streak of "Sweet Swingin" Billy Williams. The book is also filled with stories of lesser streaks by often unknown players from the dawn of baseball right up to the present day. A good way to kick off the 2019 season - Go Cubs!

[Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

So many baseball records that we notice are about being hot for a period of time. Usually at the plate. Cal Ripken's breaking, shattering of Lou Gerhig's consecutive game streak is a record that will (probably) never be broken. And I will always remember his running around the field the night be surpassed Lou Gerhig. Because it is about the nature of consecutive game streaks in baseball history, not just Gerhig and Rpken, this is one of the better baseball books I've read. Recommended for fans of the sport, but also for casual readers as well.