High-grade rookie card of the modern Ironman, before his record consecutive games streak was even a glimmer in anyone's eye.  At the time of Ripken's debut, the record for consecutive games played among active players was held by Steve Garvey, a streak that began in 1975.  Garvey's streak ended the following season, 1983, an eight-year streak that placed him third on the all-time list with 1,207.  Ripken's streak began on May 30 of 1982 and continued for more than 16 years, placing him at the very top of the list, 1,425 ahead of Garvey, a record that will likely never be broken.