Flashback: Ripken Jr. ends his consecutive games streak

All good things must come to an end.

On Sept. 20, 1998, Baltimore Orioles shortstop Cal Ripken Jr. took a seat on the bench, ending his record-setting consecutive games streak at 2,632. It was the team's final home game that season.

Ripken made the call himself and informed manager Ray Miller of his decision before the game against the New York Yankees.

"It was time," Ripken told the Baltimore Sun. "Baseball has always been a team game. I talked to my wife [Kelly] and decided, 'Let's end it in the same place it started. In my home state. In front of friends and family. In front of the best fans in the world.' "

Incredibly, the 38-year-old Iron Man hadn't missed a game since May 30, 1982.

Along the way, Ripken broke Lou Gehrig's record streak on Sept. 6, 1995, by playing in his 2,131st straight game. And he ranks quite well among the Iron Men in each major professional sport.