Barker Signing Off After 35 Years on Price is Right

If you have yet to be inspired by Bob Barker's pleas to have your pet spayed or neutered, time is running out. The 17-time Emmy Award winner, host of the long-running game show The Price is Right is retiring June 15 after one last Showcase Showdown.

Barker, 83, became a staple in American homes for more than three decades, hosting the show every day for 35 years, that's right, 35 years -- a span of over 9,000 episodes and countless spins of the big wheel. You have to imagine he's got quite a bit of vacation time built up with that sort of attendance record. Overall, Barker was in television 50 years, having hosted Truth or Consequences prior to The Price is Right.

To put the 9,000-show streak into perspective, Cal Ripken, Jr., baseball's Iron Man, played 3,001 games, including 2,131 straight to break Lou Gehrig's long standing record many felt would never be touched. Barker calmly lapsed that three times. No doubt wearing a suit for 9,000 shows requires less endurance than suiting up for 3,000 baseball games, but then again it was no easy task on Barker who had to endure countless smooches, hugs and general smothering from overzealous contestants.

If you want to bid on a piece of television history, check out the Bob Barker microphone auction on eBay, which ends on his last day, June 15.