Cal Ripken Jr., known as “Iron Man” for his incredible endurance with the Baltimore Orioles, recently received a special tribute from another Iron Man. Robert Downey Jr., famous for his portrayal of Tony Stark in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, visited the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York, and paid homage to Ripken.
The Hall of Fame’s social media accounts shared a photo of Downey standing in front of Ripken’s plaque, capturing the moment. Downey, who played Iron Man from 2008 to 2019, has left an indelible mark on Hollywood. His portrayal of Tony Stark in three Iron Man movies, along with appearances in Avengers, Captain America, and Spider-Man films, contributed to a staggering $12 billion at the global box office.
Although Downey hasn’t been seen in a Marvel movie since 2019, he recently won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for his role in “Oppenheimer” this past March. Ripken, on the other hand, built an impressive career long before Downey became a household name.
Ripken played for the Orioles from 1981 to 2001, amassing 3,184 hits, 431 home runs, 1,695 RBIs, and a 95.9 WAR. He was a 19-time All-Star, eight-time Silver Slugger, two-time MVP, and a World Series champion. His most notable achievement is holding the record for the longest streak of consecutive games played in MLB history, with 2,632 games from 1982 to 1998, surpassing Lou Gehrig’s record.
Ripken was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2007, just months before the first Iron Man movie hit theaters. The connection between these two Iron Men, one from the baseball diamond and the other from the silver screen, is a testament to their enduring legacies.
