When you think about baseball iron men, you most likely think of Cal Ripken Jr. or Lou Gehrig. Those guys set the benchmark for consecutive games with 2632 and 2130, respectively. But in career games played, Ripken ranks only eighth all-time. Gehrig ranks well below that, but that’s only because his career was cut terribly short by ALS, which also prematurely ended his life. As for today’s active iron men, here is the top of the heap, excluding “active” players who likely have played their last game, like Barry Bonds and Sammy Sosa:
1. Omar Vizquel, San Francisco Giants (2632)—Here’s a guy who has always looked ten years younger than he actually is. Vizquel is 41, and has been playing in the majors since 1989. Still, he’s never played a full 162-game season, and his .153 batting average in 2008 might signify the end of a great career – in particular as one of the premier defensive shortstops ever.
2. Luis Gonzalez, Florida Marlins (2541)—When I say this guy’s name, you probably think “2001 World Series,” because that’s when Gonzalez had his shining moment, a game-winning Game 7 hit to give his Diamondbacks the title. And check out these numbers from that season: 57 homers, 142 RBI, .325 batting average. That was only good for third in the NL MVP voting, behind two guys named Bonds and Sosa.
3. Ken Griffey, Jr., Cincinnati Reds (2466)—For my money, this guy has the sweetest power stroke of any active player, and one of the best ever. He would be at the top of the list, too, if it weren’t for all the nagging injuries during his time in Cincinnati.
4. Gary Sheffield, Detroit Tigers (2416)—Sheffield, who is Dwight Gooden’s nephew, began his career in 1988 at the age of 19. He’s been hampered a bit by injury, but even if he were 60 I wouldn’t want to pitch to the guy.
5. Frank Thomas, Oakland Athletics (2295)—The Blue Jays thought he was washed up, and released him. The A’s re-signed him, but he hasn’t played a ton since then. Too bad, because Thomas may have eventually joined the 600 home run club.
6. Jeff Kent, Los Angeles Dodgers (2255)—Has anyone ever accused Jeff Kent of juicing? I know he’s never appeared to blow up physically, but this guy was an average hitter with the Mets and Indians. Then with the Giants, Astros and Dodgers since 1997, he’s almost always in the 30 homer, 120 RBI range. I’m not accusing him, I’m just scratching my head a bit.
7. Ivan Rodriguez, Detroit Tigers (2225)—A catcher with a career .302 batting average over 18 seasons? Just why is this guy an after-thought behind guys like Johnny Bench and Mike Piazza?
8. Jim Thome, Chicago White Sox (2096)—Along with this mark, Thome is also the game’s active windmill leader, with 2123 career strikeouts.
9. Manny Ramirez, Boston Red Sox (2038)—I know I said this before recently, but the fact that Man-Ram and Thome hit in the same lineup together, along with Albert Belle and Eddie Murray, is just scary. Can anyone tell me why the Indians haven’t won a World Series since 1948?
10. Chipper Jones, Atlanta Braves (1976)—Ol’ Larry has been bit by the injury bug many times during his career, otherwise he’d be up a few notches here. But he’s still a great hitter, and putting up huge numbers even at the age of 36. I think this guy plays another seven or eight seasons.
Source: Baseball Reference
