Newly enshrined baseball Hall of Famer Cal Ripken is known for his streak of playing in 2,632 consecutive major league games, but ironically his induction is also responsible for ending what is perhaps a more amazing streak, certainly a longer one.
Ernie Tyler, a legend among Baltimore Orioles fans, first assumed his position as umpire attendant at old Memorial Stadium on opening day 1960. He had not missed a game since than, covering 3,769 games over 47 1/2 seasons. His streak ended Saturday night because he had travelled up to Cooperstown, at Ripken's personal invitation, to witness Cal's induction ceremony.
"I saw him was he was 12 years old. I knew his father well," Tyler said Thursday. "What better time to do it than to go now? When I heard he wanted me to go to Cooperstown, how could I say no? The streak doesn't mean that much when you're thinking about your relationship with the Ripken family."
That kind of loyalty is what you would expect from someone who doesn't miss a day of work in 47 years.
Click here to read the Yahoo Sports story on Ernie Tyler.
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