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On this day in Yankees history – Joe DiMaggio starts his hit streak

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Joe DiMaggio began his 56 game hit streak on May 15, 1941, a feat which has withstood the test of time. The streak started with a single off Edgar Smith in a 13-1 loss against Chicago, and ended July 17 when he went 0-3 with a walk against Cleveland. The Yankee Clipper hit .408 in that time, going 91-for-223 with 15 home runs and 55 RBIs; the Yankees’ record was 41–13–2.

What makes the streak even more impressive is that Joltin Joe played in seven doubleheaders throughout it. At first he showed little interest in breaking George Sisler’s then modern day record of 41 games, saying, “I’m not thinking a whole lot about it. I’ll either break it or I won’t.” As he approached Sisler’s record, he started to show more interest. “At the start I didn’t think much about it, but naturally I’d like to get the record since I am this close.”

It wasn’t smooth sailing for DiMaggio during the run. Lou Gehrig passed away on June 2, but DiMaggio honored his former teammate by going 2-for-4 that day to keep the streak alive. The All Star Game also interrupted the streak on July 8, but DiMaggio got a hit then too, going 1-for-4. He was voted the American League MVP that year despite hitting .357 and Ted Williams (who came in second) hitting .406. DiMaggio finished the season with 193 hits through 139 games with 30 homers and a 1.083 OPS on the way to the Yankees ninth World Series title.

The next longest streak is 45 games held by Willie Keeler from 1896-97. Pete Rose is third and holds the closest modern day streak with 44 games in 1978.

“DiMaggio’s streak is the most extraordinary thing that ever happened in American sports.” Harvard University’s Stephen Jay Gould.