On July 17, 1941, New York Yankees outfield Joe DiMaggio had his record 56-game hitting streak ended by the stellar defense of the Cleveland Indians.
67,468 fans packed Cleveland Stadium that night with somewhat conflicting hopes. While they wanted to see their hometown Indians win the game, they also wanted to see DiMaggio’s streak extended. In the end both wishes were thwarted.
JOE DIMAGGIO’S 56-GAME HITTING STREAK
Over the course of DiMaggio’s two-month-long streak he collected 91 hits, 15 home runs, and only five strikeouts, while batting slightly north of 400.
DiMaggio’s consistency at the plate helped lead the ’41 Yankees claim their fifth World Series title in six years, and their ninth overall.
MLB BATTING STREAKS
DiMaggio’s streak obliterated the previous record of 45 games set by the Orioles’ Willie Keeler over the 1896-97 baseball season. In the years since Joltin’ Joe set the MLB record, only Pete Rose has managed to breach the 40-hit threshold, when he collected hits in 44 straight games in 1978.
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