Derek Jeter energetically bounced from player to player with questions during his first All-Star Game in 1998. When Jeter found Cal Ripken Jr., he told Ripken that he usually felt weary after playing for two weeks. So, Jeter wondered, what was Ripken's secret for playing in so many consecutive games? 'I like to play,' Ripken answered. 'It just happened.' It was a bland answer, the kind of answer Jeter has given throughout his career. But Ripken said he could sense that Jeter, who was giddy as he quizzed the other All-Stars at Coors Field, was disappointed. Jeter wanted more insight about how Ripken had worked day after day after day. 'I could tell,' Ripken said, 'that it wasn't the right answer for him.' When Ripken discusses Jeter, he typically tells the 11-year-old story about failing to satisfy Jeter's curiosity. After Jeter collects another hit, Ripken will have another story about Jeter because both players will share the distinction of having passed the legendary Lou Gehrig for a milestone. Ripken, of course, holds a monumental record, one that was supposed to be untouchable before he broke it. He surpassed Gehrig's streak of 2,130 consecutive games played and pushed his streak to 2,632 before taking a day off with the Baltimore Orioles in 1998. Jeter was tied with Gehrig for the most career hits by a Yankee at 2,721 entering Friday. 'Of all the players to wear a Yankees uniform, and that's a storied list, he's going to have the most hits of anybody,' Ripken said. 'I think it's a big deal because it's the Yankees.' As Ripken inched within one game of Gehrig's record in 1995, he knew that it was inevitable he would surpass Gehrig. As long as Ripken did not sustain an injury, the record would be his. Now Jeter is in an inevitable spot as well, knowing that he can nudge ahead of Gehrig with another hit against the Orioles. While Ripken has not spoken to Jeter, he theorized that Jeter, a humble and respectful player, is probably uncomfortable with being compared to Gehrig. Ripken called Gehrig 'iconic' and explained how he never felt comfortable being linked with a Hall of Famer. 'Lou has monstrous numbers and was like Babe Ruth,' Ripken said. 'How was it possible to compare him to me? But I realized what we did share is playing in consecutive games. It was still uncomfortable for me. When you're mentioned with him, I'm not sure you fully understand what it means.' The record that Ripken eclipsed and the record Jeter is about to eclipse are different, yet similar. Ripken needed to have enough talent to merit staying in the lineup and needed to have incredible consistency and durability to play every day for more than 17 straight seasons. As Ripken's streak mounted, he said that he did not think about Gehrig's record until he got within about 200 games. Ripken was criticized for being selfish and hurting the team by not resting. Jeter's pursuit of Gehrig has been predicated on talent, consistency and durability, too. It has taken all three elements for Jeter to play long enough and get enough hits to tie Gehrig. Players do not collect more than 2,700 hits unless they are exceptional hitters. 'I think Derek plays the game like we played it on our backyards,' said Jim Palmer, the Hall of Fame pitcher for the Orioles. 'He's going to figure out a way to beat you.' When Jeter's Yankees stopped Ripken's Orioles in the 1996 AL Championship Series, the 21-year-old rookie shortstop actually outplayed the 36-year old veteran shortstop. Jeter batted .417 and had one homer, with some help from Jeffrey Maier, while Ripken hit .200 with no runs batted in. Jeter helped the Yankees win it all that year, the first of his four World Series rings. 'To me, I was impressed with his maturity level and the way in which he did things,' Ripken said. 'He wasn't intimidated and he wasn't scared. He knew what was going on. He was unflappable.' After Ripken played shortstop for 15 years, he grudgingly became a full-time third baseman in 1997. Ripken noted that third was his original position, but Manager Earl Weaver switched him to shortstop as a temporary experiment that eventually became permanent. Jeter, 35, is like Ripken in that he does not want to move from shortstop, either. While Jeter's defense has been steadier this year, there is speculation that the Yankees could eventually ask him to shift positions. Ripken disagrees. 'I still don't see Derek playing anywhere but shortstop,' Ripken said. 'He's in tremendous shape, he's got great legs and he moves well. I project Derek being a shortstop from the first day until he's done.' With the way Jeter is accumulating hits, he will not be done for a while. 