On Sept. 20, 1998, Cal Ripken took himself out of the starting lineup and did not play in the Baltimore Orioles’ loss to the New York Yankees, ending his consecutive-game streak at 2,632 games.
After nearly 16 years, Ripken said he decided the time was right to end the streak, which began on May 30, 1982..
Baltimore Orioles player Cal Ripken Jr., acknowledges the fans’ applause as Ripken does not start the 20 September game against the New York Yankees at Camden Yards in Baltimore, MD. Ripken said before the game that he planned to end his consecutive game streak 20 September in the Orioles’ final home game of the season.