Iron Man

The term Iron Man in baseball generally refers to a player who appears in many consecutive games. Some users of the term may require that the player appear in all innings of each consecutive game.

An early Iron Man was George Pinkney, who appeared in 578 consecutive games in the 19th century. Later Iron Men included Everett Scott, Lou Gehrig and Cal Ripken. A number of Japanese players have also put together very long playing streaks, as in Japanese culture such feats bring great respect to those who accomplish them. In fact, in the majors, since Ripken set his record, the only two players who has played as many as 500 consecutive games have both been Japanese: Hideki Matsui and Ichiro Suzuki.

The term "Iron Man" is occasionally used in other ways. For example, there is a plaque in honor of Dan Brouthers at a field near his birthplace that calls him "Baseball's Iron Man", presumably because he had such a long career.

Chief Zimmer was called an "iron man" because he caught so many games at a time when catchers took a beating from stray balls and usually did not catch every day.

On the other hand, Iron Man McGinnity called himself an "iron man" because he had worked in the iron industry. The minor league Toledo Iron Men also took their name from industry.

See also

• Most Consecutive Games Played.

Further Reading

• John Eisenberg: The Streak: Lou Gehrig, Cal Ripken Jr., and Baseball's Most Historic Record, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, New York, NY, 2017. ISBN 978-0-5441-0767-0
• Marty Friedrich: The Iron Men of Baseball, McFarland, Jefferson, NC, 2006.