Top Five Sports Streaks

I love the "top five" topic. It always generates great conversation amongst educated sports fans. Hopefully I can come up with a lot more top five topics.

This top five will begin a weekly column featuring my top five in any sports category from nicknames to best last-second miracles.

In light of the New England Patriots going 18-0 so far this season, I will rank the top five greatest sports streaks of all time.

Sorry, Pats. You still don't make this list.

Number Five: Cael Sanderson, 159-0 in collegiate wrestling

After redshirting his first year in college, Sanderson won 39 matches in his freshman year and the NCAA National Championship at 184 pounds. The next season, he finished 40-0 and won the Hodge Trophy as the best college wrestler—the first underclassman to ever win the award. His junior season was another 40-0 campaign and he was the National Tournament's most outstanding wrestler and the first consecutive Hodge trophy winner. He also broke Dan Gable's 100 consecutive wins streak that season.

His senior season concluded with another 40-0 record, a third Hodge trophy and his fourth consecutive NCAA title, four-time most outstanding wrestler at NCAA championships, and four-time Big 12 champion. 

Sanderson was the first wrestler ever featured on a Wheaties box and he won Gold in the 2004 Olympics at 84 kg.

Number Four: Boston Celtics, 8 consecutive NBA titles

Not only is eight consecutive titles the longest streak of professional championships in American sports history, but the Celtics won 11 championships in 13 seasons, and only missed the NBA Finals once. Led by Coach Red Auerbach and center Bill Russell, the Celtics won the NBA titles from 1959-1966. It's a streak that will most likely never be broken.

Number Three: Orel Hershiser, 59 consecutive shutout innings pitched

1988 was a year to remember for the Bulldog. Hershiser recorded 59 consecutive shut-out innings in Major League Baseball. 

From August 30 to September 28, 1988 Hershiser didn't give up a single run to an opponent. He also went on to win the Gold Glove, Cy Young, NL MVP and World Series MVP.

Number Two: Joe DiMaggio, 56 game hitting streak

If there was ever a record that is unbreakable in sports, it's most likely this record set by Joe DiMaggio. The record speaks for itself.

Number One: Cal Ripken Jr., 2,632 games started

Yes, baseball streaks tend to come more often than any other sports, but this streak is so much more impressive than any other streak in the history of sports.

Cal Ripken Jr. began his career with the Baltimore Orioles in 1982. Splitting time at third base and shortstop, Ripken didn't care where he played, as long as he was on the field.

In May of 1982, the streak began. The streak continued until September 20, 1998.

After surpassing Lou Gerigh by 502 games, Ripken was replaced by rookie Ryan Minor. And when the game's first out was recorded, the Yankees and Orioles along with every fan in the stadium gave a standing ovation to the shortstop.