Do you think Dimaggio's streak will ever be broken? Why do you think no one's ever really come close?

Answer 1

There are several factors that are stacked against any of today's players reaching DiMaggio's streak.

1. In 1941, there were almost no night games, so you played a 1 PM to 3 PM game (sometimes doubleheaders that ended at 6 PM), just about every day, not like the current night games ending at 11, and by the time you get to your hotel or house, it's 1 AM, then up at 9 for a following day game.

2. The scheduling in 1941 also worked out long homestands and long road trips, meaning that although your team had to make 4-5 stops on a road trip, you were also assured of 2-3 weeks at home in a row, so DiMaggio had to face much less hassles of packing and boarding a bus or train (they did not fly in those days, so even on long travel stretches, you had ample time to sleep.) And there was little jet lag in those days--all teams were only one time zone away.
3. The press and media hype were much less back in 1941. Sure, DiMaggio's record captured a lot of interest, but he did not have to face interviewers from CNN, ESPN, Fox, SI, etc., but usually just reporters from NY papers and on the road, the local press. Nowadays, everytime somebody hits 3 home runs in a game or gets 5 hits, he is swarmed over and sits for an hour at a press conference.
4. Very few of today's players can be said to have the talents that Joe had. It's sort of funny that some of the people who more recently received attention for their own streaks, like Rollins or Utley, would be compared to Joltin' Joe. In think the only person since 1941 who deserved to approach the 56-game record was Pete Rose.
5. How many players today play for fun as opposed to the big money they get? Although Joe DiMaggio did make close to $100,000 a year at his peak and in the 1940s, that was equal to $1,000.000, by today's standards, look how many mediocre players there are making tons more than that. Joe and just about everyone else in those days played the game because they enjoyed it. Having that much money that some players have todayhas to be a distraction and that's why there are hardly anymore .330, 40 homer 125 rbi men anymore. Sure, you might have a Pujols or a couple of others close to that, but look at the names of the players during Joe's era, like Ted Williams, Stan Musial, Mel Ott, Hank Greenberg, etc. and tell me if any of today's players are their equals (and this was way before any drugs were around to enhance performance.)

Answer 2

I dont think that'll be broken. I believe that besides a couple of records way back like Cy Young's wins i think this is the hardest b/c soon as you get to 30 in the streak the media and all that. But the fielders i think are more athletic and what may have been a hit way back these guys hone in on the ball and get to it quicker and throw it faster and that causes a lot of near misses that way back would have been ties or the baserunner would win out right

Answer 3

There will always be someone who will run a streak up to 20 or 30, maybe even 40 but ultimately they all end. I just don't see it. However, if it does happen I think it will end up being an event much like Cal Ripken's 2131st game, maybe better!!

Answer 4

The only way that Joe D's record would ever be broken in today's game is if the schedule makers allowed one particular team to play the Texas Rangers (joke of a pitching staff) 57 consecutive games..then it would be broken by several players in the same game,..it's just a question of who is batting leadoff in game 57 that gets it done first.

Answer 5

I think people will get into the 30's and maybe even 40's but the way the media gets to the players the put to much preassure on the players

Answer 6

yes. why? heck it isnt even joe's longest hitting streak as a pro.
he hit 61 in a row in the pcl, which at that time was close to major league quality/support baseball (and some have argued the pcl was better than mlb)

Answer 7

Of course. Jeter is going to be defeat it this year. And Damon got close with his 31 game streak last year.

Answer 8

that won't be broke along with tom dempseys 63 yard field goal with the new orleans saints and rocky marcianos 49-0 heavy weight championship. those are records that will stand the test of time

Answer 9

Record's were made to be broken, and Ichiro will eventually do it or Jimmy rollins, or Willy taveras, they can hit well and are fast!!

Answer 10

dimaggio's was just trying to impress marilyn monroe so that she would stop sleeping around on him but it didn't work