Hanshin Tigers outfielder Tomoaki Kanemoto reached a new milestone in his career Sunday when he earned the unofficial title of world record holder for playing in consecutive games without missing an inning.
![News photo](../images/photos2006/sb20060411j1a.jpg)
Kanemoto broke what is believed to be a major league record held by Cal Ripken Jr., extending his streak of playing every inning of every game to 904 regular-season games in Japanese baseball.
The 38-year-old achieved the feat in front of 33,438 fans at Osaka Dome. It came after he continued to take the field and stepped up to the plate even with a broken left hand during the 2004 season.
"I'm relieved that I didn't have any accidents during the game. But to be honest, I haven't really realized what I've achieved," said Kanemoto, whose streak began on July 21, 1999 when he was with the Hiroshima Carp.
"I'd like to thank my parents and God. As a professional, it's meaningless unless I keep appearing in games. If possible, I want to continue this streak for another three years or even five years."
The Tigers celebrated his achievement with a 10-5 win over the Yokohama BayStars and a lavish ceremony followed.
A congratulatory message from Ripken flashed on an electronic board at the stadium and fellow veteran Hanshin players Akihiro Yano and Tsuyoshi Shimoyanagi handed Kanemoto a bat gifted by the former Baltimore Oriole.
"Congratulations, keep playing," said Ripken in a hand-written message on the bat. Hanshin club president Toshihiro Makita said later he will apply to put Kanemoto's streak in the Guinness Book of World Records.