Joe DiMaggio, 1941 Yankees, 56 games
Streak: May 15 to July 16
Stopper: Jim Bagby Jr., Indians, July 17
Stats: 91-for-223 (.408), 56 runs, 16 doubles, 4 triples, 15 homers, 55 RBI, 21 walks, five strikeouts, .717 SLG
»» Learn more about Joe DiMaggio
The streak was halted by Cleveland’s Jim Bagby Jr., the son of former big league pitcher Jim Bagby. Ironically, DiMaggio had a 61-game hitting streak halted in the minor leagues by Ed Walsh Jr., son of Hall of Fame pitcher Ed Walsh. DiMaggio’s streak captured the imagination of the country, competing with war headlines from Europe. A song, “Joltin’ Joe DiMaggio” became a hit during the streak, (the lyrics are printed below). DiMaggio declined an offer from Heinz to endorse their ketchup, which was a good thing, since his streak was halted before game #57. Heinz product was called “Heinz 57 Catsup Sauce.” As DiMaggio’s streak grew longer, his brother Dom, center fielder for the Red Sox, would ask the scoreboard operators at Fenway Park to keep him updated on his brother’s progress. After the streak was stopped, thanks in large part to a pair of fine defensive plays by Cleveland third baseman Ken Keltner, Joe started a 16-game hitting streak. Thus, he hit safely in 72 of 73 games. The Yankees went 41-13-2 during the streak, which included a 14-game winning streak and 19 multiple-hit games by DiMaggio. “The Yankee Clipper” posted three other streaks of at least 20 games during his career. DiMaggio’s hits, runs, doubles, homers, and RBI are records for streaks of 30 games or more.
Pete Rose, 1978 Reds, 44 games
Streak: June 14 to July 31
Stopper: Larry McWilliams, Gene Garber, Braves, August 1
Stats: 72-for-182 (.396), 30 runs, 14 doubles, 0 homers, 11 RBI, 12 walks, five strikeouts
»» Learn more about Pete Rose
As his streak grew longer, experts gave Rose the best shot to break DiMaggio’s mark, but the hustling switch-hitter came up a dozen games short. Atlanta’s Gene Garber, a sidearming relief specialist, struck out Rose to stop the streak on August 1st. Rose boosted his average from .267 to .316 during the six weeks of the streak. He had 26 one-hit games during the streak, and bunted for his only hit three times. “Charlie Hustle” enjoyed eight streaks of 20 games or more during his career.
Willie Keeler, 1897 Orioles, 44 games
Streak: April 22 to June 18
Stopper: Frank “Lefty” Killen, Pirates, June 19
Stats: 82-for-201 (.408)
»» Learn more about Willie Keeler
Keeler’s streak encompassed the first 44 games of the season, the longest such streak in history. The slap-hitting Keeler was halted by Frank Killen, who posted a losing record in 1897, but stymied Willie and the Orioles 7-1, on June 19. Keeler, who employed his “Hit where they ain’t” strategy throughout a Hall of Fame career, posted a 26-game hitting streak in 1896, and another 26-gamer in 1902 with Brooklyn.
Bill Dahlen, 1894 Colts, 42 games
Streak: June 20 to August 6
Stopper: Chauncey Fisher and Henry Fournier, Red Legs, August 7
»» Learn more about Bill Dahlen
Dahlen was known more for his glove than his bat in a 21-year career that stretched from 1891 to 1911. The pitchers who stopped him, Fisher and Fournier, both had terrible seasons in ’94, posting ERA’s over five. Dahlen started a new streak on August 8, stretching it to 28 games, and giving him hits in 70 of 71 games. In 1895, Dahlen’s average sunk to .254, a drop-off of more than 100 points from the streak season. Dahlen later became the first player to steal home in a World Series game, accomplishing the feat in 1905 for the Giants.
George Sisler, 1922 Browns, 41 games
Streak: July 27 to September 17
Stopper: Bullet Joe Bush, Yankees, September 18
Stats: 80-for-174 (.460), 43 runs, 14 doubles, seven triples, no homers, 11 walks, five strikeouts, 13 stolen bases
»» Learn more about George Sisler
Sisler was the prototypical player for a hitting streak, combining blazing speed with a consistent line drive bat. During the 41-game streak, he had 23 multiple hit games, a record for a streak of any length. From September 4-11 he strung together seven straight multi-hit games, banging out 18 hits during that stretch. He hit .420 for the streak season, helping the Browns to second place, just one game back of Bush’s Yankees.
Ty Cobb, 1911 Tigers, 40 games
Streak: May 15 to July 2
Stopper: Ed Walsh, White Sox, July 4 (game one)
Stats: 80-for-168 (.476), 40 runs, 12 doubles, eight triples, one homer
»» Learn more about Ty Cobb
Cobb was red-hot during his streak, both at the plate, and on the basepaths, where he stole home three times during the 40 games. The Tigers won 23 of the 40 games, leaving them one-and-a-half games atop the standings. “The Georgia Peach” won his fifth straight batting title in 1911, helped in large part by his .476 mark during these 40 games. In addition to his 40 and 35-game hitting streaks listed here, Cobb produced streaks of 25 games (1906), and 21 games (1926 and 1927).
Paul Molitor, 1987 Brewers, 39 games
Streak: July 16 to August 25
Stopper: John Farrell, Indians, August 26
Stats: 68-for-164 (.415), 43 runs, 17 doubles, three triples, seven homers, 33 RBI, 25 walks, 22 strikeouts, 15 stolen bases
»» Learn more about Paul Molitor
Molitor was on-deck when teammate Rick Manning delivered the game-winning hit in the bottom of the 10th inning to end the game on August 26th and end Paul’s streak. It was the only streak of 20 or more games in Molitor’s Hall of Fame career. Molitor raised his average 47 points to .370 during the streak, which started his first day off the disabled list. He produced eight three-hit games and one four-hit game during the 39-game streak.
Tommy Holmes, 1945 Braves, 37 games
Streak: June 6 to July 8
Stopper: Hank Wyse, Cubs, July 12 (game one)
Stats: 68-for-157 (.433)
»» Learn more about Tommy Holmes
Holmes’ streak was a 20th century National League recrd at the time. Thet year he became the only player to lead his league in home runs (28) and fewest strikeouts (9) in the same season. The next year he enjoyed a 20-game hitting streak, and he had another 20-gamer in 1949.
Billy Hamilton, 1894 Phillies, 36 games
»» Learn more about Billy Hamilton
Hamilton had a phenomenal offensive season in 1894, the first year where pitchers were moved back to 60 feet, six inches from home plate. He scored 192 runs, banged out 220 hits (176 of them singles), and batted .404 with a .523 on-base percentage. It was his only streak of at least 20 games.
Luis Castillo, 2002 Marlins, 35 games
Streak: May 8 to June 21
Stopper: Mark Redman, Tigers, June 22
Stats: 62-for-154 (.403), 24 runs, four doubles, two homers, 14 RBI, eight walks, 16 strikeouts, 11 stolen bases
Castillo lifted his batting average from .262 to .341 during his streak, which included 17 multi-hit games. Though he was fairly unknown outside of Florida before his streak Castillo was a good candidate for a batting streak. In 1999 he had strung together a 22-gamer, and in 2000 he hit in 19 straight for the Marlins. Castillo was in the on-deck circle when pinch-hitter Tim Raines hit a sac fly to end a four-run comeback to win the game, 5-4 in the bottom of the ninth.
Ty Cobb, 1917 Tigers, 35 games
Streak: May 31 to July 5
Stopper: Red Faber, White Sox, July 6
Stats: 64-for-138 (.457), 28 runs, 13 doubles, nine triples, three homers, 13 walks, six strikeouts, 13 stolen bases
»» Learn more about Ty Cobb
Cobb is the only player to have recorded two streaks of at least 35 games. In 1911 he had a 40-game streak (see above). Cobb had 22 multiple-hit games during his streak, including an amazing eight in a row. On June 5, in the second game of a doubleheader against the Yankees, he went 5-for-5 against Bob Shawkey, whom he battered for a .421 average during his career. This streak, like his 40-gamer in 1911, was halted by a Chicago hurler destined for Cooperstown.
Fred Clarke, 1895 Colonels, 35 games
»» Learn more about Fred Clarke
Clarke was 22-years old when he strung together his 35-game streak, which he accomplished while playing for the Louisville Colonels. In 1894, asa rookie, Clarke had collected five hits in his major league debut, and he remains the only player to ever do that.
Benito Santiago, 1987 Padres, 34 games
Streak: August 25 to October 2
Stopper: Orel Hershiser, Dodgers, October 3
Stats: 47-for-136 (.346), 17 runs, 12 doubles, one triple, five home runs, 19 RBI, two walks, 23 strikeouts, five stolen bases
»» Learn more about Benito Santiago
Santiago set a rookie record with his streak, as well as a record for a hitting streak by a catcher. He struck out, grounded out, and flew out against Hershiser, who hurled a three-hitter but lost 1-0. Santiago, a free-swinger who walked just 16 times all season, raised his average 15 points to .299, during the streak. After going hitless against Hershiser, Santiago went 2-for-2 in the Padres’ last game of the season and was removed from the lineup to preserve a .300 batting average. Santiago struck out 112 times during the season, the highest total during a 30-game streak year.
Dom DiMaggio, 1949 Red Sox, 34 games
Streak: June 26 to August 7
Stopper: Vic Raschi, Yankees, August 9
Stats: 51-for-143 (.357), 35 runs, 10 doubles, two triples, three homers, 13 RBI, 21 walks, nine strikeouts, five stolen bases
»» Learn more about Dom DiMaggio
His brother Joe, owner of the longest hitting streak in history, caught the fly ball that Dom hit in his final at-bat on August 9th, ending the 34-game streak three shy of the Red Sox record. Newspaper accounts report that Joe said, “Dom needed a lot of luck to break the record that I made. He had a good start and he’s a good hitter, so I figured he had a chance. I knew he’d have to have luck, too. I had it ’41 when I hit in 56 straight games.” Reportedly, Joe took Dom out for a steak dinner to console him after the game. Boston pitcher Ellis Kinder delivered a two-out single in the eighth inning that prolonged the inning and allowed Dom one last chance to extend the streak, before Joe’s catch ended it. Dom also enjoyed a 27-game hitting streak in 1951.
George McQuinn, 1938 Browns, 34 games
Streak: July 24 to August 24
Stopper: Al Williams and Eddie Smith, Athletics, August 25
Stats: 56-for-149 (.376), 30 runs, 12 doubles, five home runs, 19 RBI
»» Learn more about George McQuinn
McQuinn was a hard-hitting first baseman who got stuck behind Lou Gehrig in the Yankee organization before escaping in 1936. With the woeful Browns in 1938, his hitting streak propelled him to a .324 season, with 195 hits and 100 runs scored. It was his only streak of 20 or more games.
George Sisler, 1925 Browns, 34 games
Streak: April 14 to May 19
Stopper: Slim Harriss and Lefty Grove, Yankees, May 20
Stats: 59-for-148 (.399), 25 runs, three doubles, one triple, two homers, three walks, four strikeouts, two stolen bases
»» Learn more about George Sisler
Three years after he set the American League record with a 41-gamer, Sisler was at it again, stringing together 34 straight games with a hit, beginning on Opening Day in St. Louis. Sisler’s hot streak helped the Browns to seven games in which they scored 10 or more runs. The team averaged six runs per game during the streak, but poor pitching led to a 15-18 record, with one tie. Grove, who had been in the big leagues for just over a month, retired Sisler in the ninth inning to end the streak. A hitting machine, 32-year old Sisler racked up 224 hits in 1925. Sisler enjoyed three long streaks in his Hall of Fame career: 41 games in 1922, 34 in 1925, and 25 games in 1920, when he banged out a record 257 hits.
Heinie Manush, 1933 Senators, 33 games
Streak: July 22 to August 25
Stopper: Wes Ferrell, Indians, August 26
Stats: 50-for-140 (.357), 28 runs, three doubles, four triples, two home runs, 23 RBI, 10 walks, five strikeouts, four stolen bases
»» Learn more about Heinie Manush
Manush’s streak may be the most significant in terms of its’ affect on a pennant race. When the streak began the Senators were tied with the Yankees for first place. During Manush’s 33-gamer, the Nats went 25-8 and opened a nine-game lead on New York. The pennant race was over, and on August 26 in Cleveland, Manush’s streak was over. Wes Ferrell, the Tribe’s tough right-hander, handcuffed Manush for an 0-for-5 to halt the string. From May 25 to June 23, Manush posted a 26-game hitting streak, when he was hotter than he was during his 33-gamer, hititng .440 with 55 hits. Manush accumulated five streaks of 20 or more games in his Hall of Fame career, including a pair of 27-gamers in 1930. Strangely, during this 33-game streak, Manush had 41 singles among his 50 hits.
Rogers Hornsby, 1922 Cardinals, 33 games
Streak: August 13 to September 19
Stopper: Burleigh Grimes, Dodgers, September 20, game one
Stats: 68-for-146 (.466), 38 runs, 11 doubles, six triples, nine home runs, 34 RBI, eight walks, 10 strikeouts, two steals
»» Learn more about Rogers Hornsby
In the midst of one of his greatest seasons, Hornsby set several records, including most homers (42) and RBI (152) in National League history. Hornsby also rapped out 250 hits on his way to his first .400 season. During the 33-game hitting streak, Hornsby racked up an incredible 22 multiple-hits games, including seven in a row, during which he hit .581 with a 1.065 slugging percentage. During the streak at one point, Hornsby scored at least one run in 14 straight games, and he also had a six-RBI game on September 15. Grimes stymied Hornsby and the Cardinals in the first game of the September 20th doubleheader to halt his streak, but “The Rajah” rebounded in the nite cap, blasting two homers. After it ended, Hornsby hit in seven of his next ten games, as he batted .454 over the last 45 games of the season. In his Hall of Fame career, it was Hornsby’s only hitting streak that reached as many as 20 games.
Hal Chase, 1907 Highlanders, 33 games
Streak: June 24 (both games) to July 26 (game one)
Stopper: Jake Thielman, July 26 game two
Stats: 58-for-143 (.406), 25 runs
»» Learn more about Hal Chase
In 1907, Chase had a bizarre season, even for him. On Opening Day he refused to play because of a salary dispute, and even after he came to terms, he had a strained relationship with manager Clark Griffith. He hit just .287 with 143 hits that season, the lowest totals by a player in a year of a streak of 30 or more games. After the streak he went into a tailspin, going 5-for-44 in his next 11 games. The Highlanders were a mediocre 18-15 during Chase’s streak.
George Davis, 1893 Giants, 33 games
Streak: August 3 to September 9 (both games)
Stopper: Cy Young, September 11
Stats: 59 hits during the streak
»» Learn more about George Davis
Just 22-years old and in his fourth big league campaign, Davis enjoyed the best offensive season of his career. The third baseman hit .355 with 195 hits, 112 runs, 22 doubles, 27 triples, 11 homers, and 119 RBI in 133 games. During the streak, which started against Baltimore’s Tony Mullane, Davis banged out 59 hits, according to research by Mike Grahek. It was his only streak of 20 games or more.
Vladimir Guerrero, 1999 Expos, 31 games
Streak: July 27 to August 26
Stopper: Ron Villone, Reds, August 27
Stats: 49-for-127 (.386), 26 runs, 12 doubles, one triple, 11 home runs, 27 RBI, nine walks, 10 strikeouts, four stolen bases
Guerrero became the second player to hit 40 homers in the same season he enjoyed a hitting streak of 30 or more games, joining Hornsby. The Expos won 17 of the 31 games during Vlad’s streak. In 2002, Guerrero hit in 26 consecutive games.
Ken Landreaux, 1980 Twins, 31 games
Streak: April 23 to May 30
Stopper: Scott McGregor, Orioles, May 31
Stats: 49-for-125 (.392), 13 runs, five doubles, one triple, two homers, 19 RBI, 10 walks, 10 strikeouts, three steals
»» Learn more about Ken Landreaux
Landreaux had 13 multi-hit games during his streak, which lifted his average to .356 for the season. He had three hits off Ron Guidry and four hits overall against the Yankees on May 2. Landreaux’s 136 hits are the fewest by a player in the season in which they had a streak of 30 or more games (discounting McVey, who played a short-season schedule in 1876). His 56 runs scored for the season are also the lowest for a player with a 30-gamer.
Rico Carty, 1970 Braves, 31 games
Streak: April 8 to May 15
Stopper: Jim McGlothlin, Reds, May 16
Stats: 51-for-113 (.451), 31 runs, nine doubles, eight homers, 30 RBI
»» Learn more about Rico Carty
After going hitless on Opening Day, Carty started his streak the next day, which shot his batting average to .436, thanks to 14 multiple-hit games. The Braves won 19 of the 31 games during Carty’s hot streak, which helped him to win the National League batting crown.
Willie Davis, 1969 Dodgers, 31 games
Streak: August 1 to September 3
Stopper: Bob Bruce and Mike Cuellar, Astros, September 4
Stats: 54-for-124 (.435), 20 runs, seven doubles, one triple, one homer, 23 RBI, seven walks, eight strikeouts, 11 stolen bases
»» Learn more about Willie Davis
Davis posted 17 multi-hit games during his streak, which raised his average 56 points to .316. The day after his streak was halted, Davis stroked four hits against San Diego’s Joe Niekro, the most hits of any player the day after a streak of 30 games or more was stopped. The Dodgers were 18-12 during Davis’s streak, but still found themselves one game behind the Giants in the National League West division race.
Sam Rice, 1924 Senators, 31 games
Streak: August 23 to September 24
Stopper: Joe Giard and Chet Falk, Browns, September 26
Stats: 53-for-132 (.402), 22 runs, 10 doubles, no triples or homers, 10 walks, eight strikeouts, seven stolen bases
»» Learn more about Sam Rice
Rice had 13 multiple-hit games, including a five-hit game against Herb Pennock and the Yankees on August 28th, and a pair of four-hit games. The Senators went 23-8 during Rice’s streak, overtaking the Yankees for first place. Rice just missed joining the 30-hit streak club two other times: in 1920 he hit in 29 straight, and in 1930 he put together a 28-game batting streak. A speedy runner who hit at the top of the order and slapped the ball to all fields, Rice was a perfect player to accumulate hitting streaks.
Nap Lajoie, 1906 Indians, 31 games
Streak: June 4 to July 4
Stopper: Frank Smith, White Sox, July 5
Stats: 54-for-122 (.443), 22 runs
»» Learn more about Nap Lajoie
Cleveland was 19-12 during Lajoie’s streak, which pushed them into first place, a game-and-a-half ahead of the Highlanders and A’s, and five ahead of the eventual pennant-winners, the White Sox. Lajoie had 15 multi-hit games during the streak, but did not hit a home run during the streak or all season. He and Keeler are the only two players to post streaks of 30 games or more and not hit a home run all season. Lajoie posted a 21-game streak in 1904.
Ed Delahanty, 1899 Phillies, 31 games
Streak: July 15 to August 18 (both games)
Stopper: unknown, 0-for-4, August 19
Stats: 54-for-128 (.422), 30 runs, eight doubles, two triples, no homers, 10 stolen bases
»» Learn more about Ed Delahanty
Delahanty had a great offensive season, collecting 238 hits in 146 games, while scoring 135 runs and driving in 137. He hit .422 during his streak and .406 the rest of the season. During the streak he had 17 multi-hit games, including two streaks of five games in a row, while the Phillies posted an 18-13 mark.
Albert Pujols, 2003 Cardinals, 30 games
Streak: July 12 to August 16
Stopper: Brett Myers, Rheal Cormier and Jose Mesa, Phillies, August 22
Stats: 46-for-118 (.390), 29 runs, 12 doubles, one triple, eight homers, 26 RBI, 16 walks, 15 strikeouts, one stolen base
»» Learn more about Albert Pujols
On July 13, in his first at-bat, Pujols was hit on the hand and left the game. Because he didn’t have an official at-bat, his “streak” (which was at one-game) was not interrupted. The right-handed slugger collected multiple hits in 11 games, and had just one hit 19 times, including 12 of 14 in the middle of the streak. In the game that halted his streak, after missing nearly a week with an injury, Pujols struck out twice and bounced into a double play.
Luis Gonzalez, 1999 Diamondbacks, 30 games
Streak: April 11 to May 18
Stopper: Kirk Rueter and Alan Embree, Giants, May 19
Stats: 46-for-115 (.400), 25 runs, 11 doubles, one triple, seven homers, 25 RBI, 16 walks, six strikeouts, four stolen bases
»» Learn more about Luis Gonzalez
The left-handed hitter posted 14 multiple-hit games and raised his early-season average to .391 during his 30-game streak. Two days after the streak ended, “Gonzo” started a 13-gamer in which he batted .459 with 28 hits. Gonzalez struck out three times in the game that ended his streak. The D-Backs went 22-8 during the streak and were in first place when it ended.
Eric Davis, 1998 Orioles, 30 games
Streak: July 2 to August 15
Stopper: Jaret Wright and Mike Jackson, Indians, August 16
Stats: 52-for-130 (.400), 30 runs, 10 doubles, 10 homers, 35 RBI, eight walks, 30 strikeouts, two steals
»» Learn more about Eric Davis
Davis walked and fanned three times in the game that ended his streak. His 30 K’s are the most ever by a player during a streak of 30 games or more.
Sandy Alomar Jr., 1997 Indians, 30 games
Streak: May 25 to July 6
Stopper: Brad Radke and Greg Swindell, Twins, July 10
Stats: 49-for-116 (.422), 19 runs, 14 doubles, two homers, 16 RBI, seven walks, 10 strikeouts
»» Learn more about Sandy Alomar Jr.
Alomar’s streak brought his average to .375 at mid-season, and it was the first streak of 30 or more to involve interleague games. When the Indians returned from the All-Star break on July 10, the streak was halted by Radke and Swindell, who fanned Alomar once each. Alomar had 14 multi-hit games, including a four-hit game on June 6 against the Red Sox.
Nomar Garciaparra, 1997 Red Sox, 30 games
Streak: July 26 to August 29
Stopper: Kevin Millwood and Chad Fox, Braves, August 30
Stats: 54-for-141 (.383), 35 runs, nine doubles, one triple, nine home runs, 26 RBI, six walks, 17 strikeouts, seven stolen bases
»» Learn more about Nomar Garciaparra
Garciaparra’s hits came in bunches, including 19 multiple-hit games. Through 2003, Nomar has had four streaks of at least 20 games: 34 in 1997, 24 in 1998, 20 in 2000, and 26 in 2003.
Jerome Walton, 1989 Cubs, 30 games
Streak: July 21 to August 20
Stopper: Ron Robinson, Rob Dibble, John Franco, Reds, August 21
Stats: 46-for-136 (.338), 20 runs, five doubles, two triples, two homers, 20 RBI, three walks, 15 strikeouts, five stolen bases
»» Learn more about Jerome Walton
Walton, a rookie, got just one hit in 20 of his 30 games. On August 21, the Cubs and Reds went into extra-innings, giving Walton an extra at-bat to try to extend his streak, but in the bottom of the 10th he tapped a grounder back to John Franco to end it. Walton hit .293 with 139 hits for the season. Outside of the 30-game streak, Walton hit just .274 in 86 games. His .338 average is the lowest ever posted in a streak of 30 games or more (excluding those pre-1900 streaks we do not have data for).
George Brett, 1980 Royals, 30 games
Streak: July 18 to August 18
Stopper: Jon Matlack, Rangers, August 19
Stats: 57-for-122 (.467), 29 runs, 10 doubles, three triples, six homers, 42 RBI, 13 walks, three strikeouts, four stolen bases
»» Learn more about George Brett
This was the “Summer of George,” when Brett made his run at .400 and “George Brett for President” bumper stickers were popping up on every car bumper in Kansas City. When the streak started he was hitting .366, after 30 games he was hitting .404 thanks to an amazing 18 multiple-hit games during the tear. Brett produced three four-hit games, three three-hit games, and 12 two-hit games during the streak in which he slugged .746 and had a .520 on-base percentage. One week after his streak ended, Brett went 5-for-5 in Milwaukee to raise his average to .407, a season-high. In the stopper game, Brett went 0-for-3 with a walk against lefty Jon Matlack in the Royals 4-3 win. In his last at-bat, in the top of the ninth, Brett grounded to first base.
Ron LeFlore, 1976 Tigers, 30 games
Streak: April 17 to May 27
Stopper: Ed Figueroa and Tippy Martinez, Yankees, May 28
Stats: 51-for-130 (.392), 21 runs, 12 doubles, three triples, one homer, 14 RBI, nine walks, 24 strikeouts, 12 stolen bases
»» Learn more about Ron LeFlore
LeFlore appeared as a pinch-runner on April 16 on Opening Day in California, stealing a base and scoring a run. The next day he was in the starting lineup and started his 30-game streak with a double off Gary Ross to lead off the game. The speedy LeFlore stole four bases on May 1, the most of any player in a game during a streak of 30 or more games. He reached base in his first 36 games of the season. The center fielder put together a 27-game streak in 1978, and a 15-gamer in 1979.
Stan Musial, 1950 Cardinals, 30 games
Streak: June 27 (both games) to July 26
Stopper: Chris Van Cuyk, Dodgers, July 27
Stats: 47-for-127 (.370), 21 runs, 12 doubles, seven homers
»» Learn more about Stan Musial
Musial’s streak vaulted him past Jackie Robinson in the National League batting race, on his way to his fourth batting title. Van Cuyk, who started the July 27th game, won just seven games in his entire career, but retired Musial three times that day. The Cardinals won the game 13-3, and every St. Louis starter except Musial and Nippy Jones had at least one hit. “Stan the Man” posted three other streaks: 24 games in 1952, 22 games in 1943, and 20 games in 1957.
Goose Goslin, 1934 Tigers, 30 games
Streak: May 6 to June 5 (both games)
Stopper: Bob Weiland, Indians, June 6
Stats: 48-for-126 (.381), 31 runs, 11 doubles, two triples, five homers, 24 RBI, 16 walks, nine strikeouts
»» Learn more about Goose Goslin
Weiland halted Goslin’s streak, but Detroit still won the game 2-1, on Charlie Gehringer‘s RBI-single, the only hit of the game for the Tigers. Goslin was normally a fairly streaky hitter, following hot streaks with cold spells, but he did hit in 25 straight games in 1925.
Tris Speaker, 1912 Red Sox, 30 games
Streak: June 17 to July 16
Stopper: Ed Walsh, White Sox, July 17 game one
Stats: 53-for-125 (.424), 30 runs, 16 doubles, four triples, one home run, 11 stolen bases
»» Learn more about Tris Speaker
Speaker had an amazing season, stringing together three streaks of at least 20 games, all virtually back-to-back. Tris hit in 20 straight from May 27 through June 15, before going hitless in one game and starting his 30-game streak, which Walsh ended in game one of a doubleheader on July 17. After hitting in four of six games, Speaker started his next 20-game streak on July 24, stretching it through both games of a twinbill on August 14. On August 15, the Red Sox scored 13 runs against the Browns, but Speaker went 0-for-4, the first of three straight hitless games. From May 27 through August 14, a period of 80 days, Speaker had hit safely in 74 of 78 games, batting .424. He remains the only player to achieve three streaks of 20 games or more in one season. “The Grey Eagle” also enjoyed a 22-game hitting streak in 1913, and a 23-gamer in 1923 with Cleveland.
Elmer Smith, 1898 Reds, 30 games
Streak: April 18 to May 29
Stopper: Ralph Miller, Brooklyn, May 30
»» Learn more about Elmer Smith
A left-handed outfielder who had once been a starting pitcher, Smith hit .342 for the Reds in his streak season, and he was a career .310 batter. He is not to be confused with the other Elmer Smith, who swatted the first grand slam in World Series history in 1920.
Cal McVey, 1876 Cubs, 30 games
Streak: June 1 to August 8
»» Learn more about Cal McVey
McVey, a former pipe-fitter in Iowa, hit .347 and also appeared in 11 games on the mound for Chicago. No other player who hit in 30 games or more ever pitched in that many games the same season.
