Another Streak Ends

Almost anyone who has followed Major League Baseball is familiar with Cal Ripken Jr. He has been known as the Iron-Man. He set a record playing in 2,632 straight games before choosing to end his streak in 1998. I remember watching that game.  It is an incredible memory to have.

Most people have never heard of Ernie Tyler. Tyler is an 83-year old umpire’s attendant at Camden Yards. He has been working their since 1960. And while most people haven’t heard of him, he has a streak of his own that ended on his terms this weekend. His streak of 3,769 consecutive games worked is comprised of regular season home games. If the exhibition, the postseason and the 1993 All-Star game were to be included his streak would extend to 3,819.

Tyler’s streak came to end this weekend as he was invited as Ripken’s guest to his induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown. He said that he thought about it for two weeks and says that it is with no regrets that his 47 1/2 year streak will come to an end.

I think Tyler sums it up best: “I never thought of it as a streak. I just thought of it as seeing a ballgame,” he said. “It’s better than being around the house all day, helping with the dishes or mowing the lawn.”

 That it is Mr. Tyler.

For more information on Tyler: Yahoo Sports, WTOP News, Baltimore Sun, MLB.com