ARLINGTON, Texas — Of all the legendary streaks that exist in professional baseball, there is one that certainly won’t be broken at any point in the foreseeable future.
With the advent in medical knowledge, a desire to max out physical limitations in pursuit of glory, and the wear and tear that accrues during a grueling baseball season (along with seemingly endless manipulation of the injured list), Cal Ripken, Jr.’s Iron Man streak is a feat that will stand for decades and decades to come -- if ever it falls at all.
The Hall of Fame shortstop broke Lou Gehrig’s streak by playing in 2,632 consecutive games -- the equivalent of over 16 full 162-game seasons in a row.
But the 2024 Texas Rangers will have their own Iron Man sitting at second base, and he's a key cog in the Arlington Machine as they look to repeat their World Series success.
Let's take a look at one half of the Rangers' half-a-billion-dollar middle infield.
2023 Opening Day Second Baseman: Marcus Semien
2024 Projected Opening Day Second Baseman: Marcus Semien
If you don’t count the truncated 2020 season, the two-time All-Star Semien has played in all but one game over the last four full seasonsm dating back to 2019.
In an era of full effort giving way to periods of rest, planned days off and IL stints for maintenance, Semien has been one of baseball’s unyielding mainstays.
For the Rangers last season, throughout a year in which they needed a leader to help them pull out of various inevitable tailspins, that consistency was treasured.
At times during 2023, Semien was playing at an MVP level, and indeed, he earned a top-3 spot in the AL MVP voting for the third time in the last five seasons.
During the month of May, when the Rangers were at their best, Semien was undoubtedly their most valuable player while remaining a daily fixture.
In a lineup that was short Corey Seager due to injury, Semien shouldered the productivity of his other keystone combo star, slashing .322/.385/.513 during the month with nine doubles, three homers and 21 RBI, all while playing Gold Glove caliber defense. Following a ridiculous 25-game hitting streak, Semien cooled off while Seager carried the load before lighting the torch for the Rangers down the stretch.
In the postseason, Semien was at his coldest, perhaps wearing down after setting a record for the most plate appearances in a single calendar year in MLB history. But the presence of the Silver Slugger was enough to continue to slot him in at the leadoff spot in every game. Despite clamoring to move Semien out of the top spot in order to bump up hot hand rookie Evan Carter, manager Bruce Bochy stuck with his Iron Man and was ultimately rewarded in the final two games of the World Series.
In Games 4 and 5 (Games 180 and 181 for Semien in 2023) in Arizona, Semien reminded everyone of what he was capable of, going 4-for-10 with two homers, a triple and three runs scored. His two-run 9th inning home run in Game 5 provided a capper to a series where Texas would claim their first crown.
Headed into 2024, the Rangers are likely expecting more of the same -- and more of the same would be appreciated.
If Semien wants to be in the lineup, he will be in the lineup. As a creature of habit, Texas’ leader-by-example won’t be prone to asking for a day off. As long as his health holds, Semien will be penciled in, and the Rangers can pencil in elite performance at second base.
Going into his age 33 season, Semien likely doesn’t have many “Iron Man'' seasons left, which means infield depth will eventually be needed.
However, coming off a year in which he started the All-Star game, earned his second Silver Slugger award and trailed only Shohei Ohanti and teammate Seager in votes for the AL’s top player, Semien’s work ethic and consistency is the model.
Bochy can pencil in Semien’s name at the top of the lineup and know that his second baseman will set the tone at the plate and in the field.
For a Rangers team that will see their depth tested, and in a year where health and availability will likely be their biggest question marks, Semien remains an exceptional exception.
Do you think Marcus Semien will play in 162 games again in 2024? Share your thoughts with Matt on Twitter @FisherWritesMLB.