Streak Miscellany

News and notes from Cal Ripken Jr.’s pursuit of Lou Gehrig’s mark for consecutive games played:

Even the umpires are moved by Cal Ripken Jr.’s consecutive-games-played streak. Larry Barnett, in his 28th American League season and chief of the crew working the series between the Angels and Baltimore Orioles, asked partner Al Clark to switch places in the rotation so that he can work the plate tonight when Ripken, who tied Lou Gehrig by playing in his 2,130th consecutive game Tuesday night, can break the record.

“I’ve never had anything affect me like this,” Barnett said. “It’s baseball history. I mean, no one is talking about lawyers or federal judges. Everyone is talking baseball, and we have Cal Ripken to thank for that.”

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Angel Manager Marcel Lachemann, looking for bright spots in his team’s recent slump, said of his role in the historic series: “It’s a privilege to sign the lineup card.”

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Ripken and Oriole trainer Richie Bancells broke in together at Bluefield, W.Va., in 1978. Said Bancells:

“I don’t think Cal has ever been preoccupied with the streak. He doesn’t talk about it in the trainers’ room or in casual conversation. I think he feels a responsibility to come to the park and play. The streak is an extension of that.”

Bancells called Ripken a “quick healer” who can be bruised by a pitch in the first inning and show no signs of the bruise by the ninth.