How amazing is Dimaggio?

[kupfernick]

Just checked out the ATG record book. In a game where amazing offensive stats are put up (168 steals, 107 HRs, 222 runs, 322 hits) the longest hitting streak is only 52, four games short of Dimaggio

[1787]

Great observation, in this crazy offensive game that his record real life record hasnt beem matched really is amazing.

[alvarndc]

I remember when I was a kid, we used to argue about whose record would last longer - Gehrig's or DiMaggio's.

I always thought it would be Gehrig's.

Now I am middle aged and still no one has really even come close.

A 30 game streak is like 50 HRs used to be pre- roids. -- a pseudo record. An accomplishment to be celebrated bc the real record was so unattainable.

That being said, I still think Ichiro might make a run at it someday.

[Valen]

I think Ichiro's time for doing such things may be behind him.
Hard to say who might have a chance at a record like this because there has to be some luck involved along the way.

[gfg001]

In his career Joe D had 361 homers and only 369 strikeouts!
That is a huge reason his record won't be broken. Joe put the ball in play.In his career Joe essentially averaged 34 homers and 34 strikeouts per season. 1:1 ratio, I bet any modern power hitter is usually 1:3 homers to Ks. I'll bet it is rare to find singles hitters who have 34 strike outs a year now.

OBP is highly prizede as a stat , and deservedly so,but more walks means less hits especially with sluggers who are all or nothing, HR, K or BB.

Bottom line makes it mor eand more unlikely he will be surpasssed


greg

[PotKettleBlack]

Relief pitcher use makes it less likely for DiMaggio to ever be caught.

Albert Pujols with 445 hrs career has 705 strikeouts. Not Joltin' Joe, but very good by modern standards.

More remarkable about Joe D's Hr/K numbers are that he gave away more HR to home park than pretty much anyone, but certainly didn't lose too many Ks to park. If he'd been traded to the Red Sox, that'd be more like 490/370.

[gfg001]

"Joltin" Joe for Ted Williams.....who would have benefited more from the switch in ballparks??? :)

[PotKettleBlack]

[quote:50e0e50cd3="gfg001"]"Joltin" Joe for Ted Williams.....who would have benefited more from the switch in ballparks??? :)[/quote:50e0e50cd3]

Red Sox win that one, if only because The Yankee Clipper was a star with the leather in CF, while The Splendid Splinter is reported to have explained his fielding with, "They pay me to hit."

Hard to say who would improve the most. Joe D would probably get the bigger boost in HR total.

[artie4121]

With the wimpy porch in RF Yankee Stadium, my bet is Williams would have had 15 more Hrs a year. It would, in my opinion, definitely have put him over 600. And the impact on BA? Another 10 pts?

[PotKettleBlack]

Have not read this book yet:
http://www.amazon.com/Year-Babe-Ruth-Home-Runs/dp/0786719060
But am led to believe that Jenkinson also tackles the Clipper-Splinter issue.
I may be mistaken.

At any rate, it's going on my kindle now that I'm thinking about it.