Rollins vs. Dimaggio - Weigh in on the hitting streak

[GREGGZILIANI]

Folks,

I am interested in hearing your take on the status of Jimmy Rollins current consecutive hit streak. I'm a bit torn on the subject and wanted to get some opinions.

Do you think the streak should only count over a single season?

The purist in me says yes, but I gotta think its a helluva feat to continue a hitting streak from one season to the next, maybe even harder than within one season.

Is the streak specifically named as a single-season record or does it count over multiple season (ala the Consecutive Games played Ironman streak of Ripken/Gehrig fame)?

Since Im torn, I would love to have a dialogue on this and will be following up on this post with my own thoughts and what I have been bombarded with from the Philly media. (I live in NJ and get both NY and Philly media, but am a lifelong Yankee fan).

Im looking forward to hearing your thoughts.

MajorDeegan

[egvrich]

I know some people don't wanna hear it, but I actually think it's harder to accomplish this feat over 2 seasons than it is over one season.

Here's my thought process ..... During 1 season, you can get hot and stay hot, you know find your groove so to speak.

But, over 2 seasons that's impossible, you've got to start all over and keep it going AGAIN .... that's tough.

[goffchile]

Two seasons is still a streak in my opinion and as EGV says its probably tougher in the psychological sense.

I think it great for baseball for him to make the run. Baseball needs something like this with all the steriods stuff.

[traderj]

I don't believe it should qualify in the same regards as a single season streak. i feel it would be harder to maintain a streak during the same season, more pressure, nagging injuries, etc. Rollins' streak is great but he had an off season to rest up and start over. just my .02, intesresting topic. :)

[mridge01]

Rollins deserves credit, but the reality is, he's still has 18 games to go. I'll bet we are done with this topic by week's end as his streak will be halted sooner rather than later.

[GREGGZILIANI]

I think once he gets around 40-45, if the media bites that this record is legit, then Rollins will start to feel the pressure. I dont think Joe D. had to deal with 24-7 sports coverage. At the same time, I think the pitching in Joe's era was much stronger then the watered down pitching we have today.

[JCHansen]

I'm a purist, so it's gotta be over one season. In '41 the AL was only 8 teams -- meaning you had talent spread over only 8 teams and not 14 (although I admit the counter-point is that he never had to face the Negro League greats).

Joe D also held (still holds?) the minors hit streak at 61 games. He also started a 16 game streak the game after his 56 gamer ended, meaning he hit in 72 of 73.

[JUMA]

The streak is over. :D

[Leo / loob]

My stance on this subject, now that it is mute, till next year that is, is this...

Yes, he has an offseason to heel, but, he also has an offseason to lose his bat slot, or, wrist speed, or whatever may happen when they try and tweak things during that time of year.

Yes, I am sure its extremely hard to get up 56 days in a row, praying that today is not the day it comes to an end. For Rollins, it would of only been 25 or so of those days. Just adding pressure.

But, to say its not a compete streak, ie, season to season.....

Is like saying....

Cal Ripken Jr. only played 162 games in a row, for 16 seasons.

[harry lime]

Seeing how one person has done it over the course of a season and no one has ever done it over the course of 2 I would say DiMaggio's was easier. :wink:

Seriously though--I think the record is way overrated anyway. Yeah, it's tough to do, but it's really one of those freak records and luck plays a huge part in it. I mean you could go 1-5 with a single everyday for 57 games and break the record, yet, you'd still be hitting .200 and probably not really helping your team that much.

Not that it matters now, but I think ity's quite simple really-- if Rollins had hit in 57 games he would hold the record for consecutive games with a hit. Joe D would still hold the record for a single season.