SPORTS WATCH : 2,131 and Counting

Major league baseball is suffering the aftereffects of a players strike, it has no full-time commissioner and its fans are bitter over the attitudes of overbearing owners and overpaid players. But it has at least one inarguably great thing going for it: Cal Ripken.

Tonight against the California Angels at his home stadium, the 35-year-old Baltimore Orioles shortstop will play his 2,131st consecutive game, breaking one of the sport’s most storied marks, the endurance record set in 1939 by baseball immortal Lou Gehrig.

For baseball fans hungry for a tale of grit and determination, Ripken’s achievement is a thing to savor. Like Rose besting Cobb in career hits, Henderson outstealing Brock or Aaron outslugging Ruth, Ripken tonight will reach a goal built game by game over many years.

To provide a point of comparison: Since 1982, when Ripken started his streak during his first full season as a player, 3,695 big league players have spent time on the disabled list.

And the infielder has done much more than just show up for work during those 13 years. He has averaged 24 homers and 91 runs batted in per season. Twice he was voted the most valuable player of the American League, he holds 11 major league and American League fielding records and he’s a 13-time choice for the All-Star game.

Off the field, Ripken has worked for his community and signed countless kids’ baseballs. The ovation he will be given tonight is fit for a man who embodies the term class act.