Better Than Streaky Bacon

     For sports junkies, few things make sports more exciting than streaks.  To do a great thing is impressive, but to do a great thing multiple times and to do consecutively at regular intervals?  That deserves lots of recognition.  The world of sports has provided us with some truly lip-smacking streaks, two of which were just achieved recently.

Fed Up

Aside from being called the greatest tennis player of all time, Roger Federer has won an unprecedented 15 Grand Slam titles, including impressive streaks at Wimbledon and US Open titles. This past week, though, Fed continued with his streak that I personally love.  As of today, the Swiss hotshot has a streak of 22 consecutive Grand Slam Semi-Finals appearances.  While for some being a semi-finalist is less impressive than being champion, being a semi-finalist for 22 straight times means that Federer has been one of the best in each of the four Grand Slams for over five consecutive years! Still not impressed? Consider this. The closest streak rivaling Federer's?  Ivan Lendle's streak stands at 10.

One-Named Wonder

     Baseball has several impressive streaks and this past week, one was established by a player so good people call him by only his first name.  Seattle Mariners' Ichiro Suzuki now holds the MLB record for consecutive 200-hit seasons after his infield single against the Texas Rangers this past week.  Ichiro now has 200 hits for nine consecutive seasons and he isn't even close to retiring yet.  How impressive is this achievement?  He broke "Wee" Willie Keeler's record of eight consecutive seasons, which stood for over a century!  Yes folks.  Keeler achieved his record from 1894-1901.  That was even before the World Wars!

Brazilian Blizzards

   While MMA and the UFC are relatively young, impressive streaks have also been established, two of them by a pair of feared Brazilians.  Current Light Heavyweight Champion Lyoto "Dragon" Machida is feared for his unorthodox and seemingly "unhittable" fighting style and this is certainly reflected in his fight record.  The "Dragon" is currently sporting a 15-0 win-loss record, and in MMA where wins could be determined in a split second, that is truly impressive.  Meanwhile, Machida's friend, the Middleweight Champion Anderson "Spider" Silva has an equally impressive streak.  Silva has racked up a 10 fight win streak in the UFC, meaning he has never been defeated in the UFC.  Considering that the UFC has thrown every middleweight (and two light heavyweights) with talent at him for the past 10 fights, it is truly impressive that they can't seem to find a good fight for "The Spider" at middleweight anymore.

The Deadman's Live Streak

     Called by many as the "Phenom" the Undertaker has been an imposing but popular figure in the WWE.  He has truly lived up to his monicker, what with lightnign quick and athletic moves despite his 6' 10" 300 lb frame.  His most notable achievement, though, is his already legendary Wrestlemania streak.  To this day, the "Dead Man" has been undefeated in all of his appearances in Wrestlemanias for the past 17 years.  While some may scoff tha pro wrestling is a "pre-destined" sport, consider that he had to keep healthy and viable body for almost two decades, while keeping his character and persona so popular that WWE Chairman Vince Mcmahon would have no problems keeping Undertaker's streak alive.  Consider also that he keeps his routine fresh and exciting for the fans that his 17th and latest Wrestlemania match (against Shawn Michaels) was considered his best ever. 

     These streaks are all so impressive that bringing up talks of beating these streaks will only get you befuddled looks from other people.  As if that were not enough, each of these five streaks are all still alive.  Will these five icons continue with their streaks?  That's why we keep watching.

photos courtesy of getty images, yahoo.com and 411mania.com