Cal Ripken Jr. owns on of the greatest records in professional sports with his 2,632 consecutive games played, but now NBA referee Dick Bavetta has overtaken Ripken’s historic mark with his 2,633rd straight game officiated.
Bavetta, 74, was honored before Wednesday’s Knicks v. Nets game with a commemorative plague by the NBA’s president of basketball operations, Rod Thorn. Bavetta, a New York Basketball Hall of Famer, spoke about the accomplishment and how humble he is to have such an honor.
"Well it means that I am here and alive and happy. And it doesn't end here as they say. After tonight there is another game. That is what we (do). I am just blessed that the ironman streak has been broken here (at Madison Square Garden), I couldn't ask for something any better."
"I can't think of any reason unless it's an act of God with weather problems and things like that, but I've been blessed by the good Lord above with good health. So that has enabled me to stay healthy over the years and I think it's symbolic of our profession.”
Bavetta continued about the close calls he has had in the past of snapping the streak due to illness and poor weather, but somehow always seemed to luck out.
"Oh I have had many close calls over the years," Bavetta said. "We are contracted to do 82 games just like the teams. Unfortunately we don't get 41 home games so we are on the road quite often. It is something that becomes a part of your life.”
Bavetta was non-committal to the next NBA season, but spoke about being interested in both returning or getting a job in the league office. Bavetta will likely never be mentioned in the same breath as Cal Ripken Jr. again, but that doesn't take away from the streak. This is quite the milestone for the 29-year veteran and he has many games left to go.
The poll on ESPN currently has Ripken’s streak as the more impressive feat at 78 percent to 22 percent.
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