He's not only a great athlete, but he's got Almighty God looking after him. When I was playing, I always needed a day or two off. And he doesn't back-door into games. He starts them all. You hear of guys moving to first base or the outfield when they get older.
Nobody moves to shortstop.
The guy is phenomenal. Bill Russell, a Los Angeles coach who was the Dodgers' shortstop for many years, mentions Ripken in the same breath as Joe DiMaggio and Nolan Ryan, legendary figures in baseball lore. He's a physical marvel, the same type that's allowed Ryan to throw so hard for so long. That record will be safe, just like DiMaggio's 56-game hitting streak. Ripken is baseball's version of the Energizer Bunny, but he does a lot more than just keep going.