It was 75 years ago today when New York Yankees center fielder Joe DiMaggio hit a single in a 13-1 drubbing to the Chicago White Sox. That hit was the first step in what became a hitting streak which hit 56 games. This record still stands 75 years later.

As I write this, I am watching the Boston Red Sox-Houston Astros game. A short time ago, Red Sox center fielder Jackie Bradley, Jr. hit a single to extend his hitting streak to 21 games. It’s nothing to sneeze at as Bradley is rapidly emerging was one of the premier players in MLB. But to give you an idea of how monumental DiMaggio’s hitting streak is Bradley would have to collect a base hit in every Red Sox game between tomorrow and June 24th when they begin a 3-game series against the Texas Rangers (assuming Bradley isn’t given a day off or if a game isn’t postponed by rain).

Those are very big odds. Let me put it another way. If Bradley collects a hit in every Red Sox game between tomorrow and May 31st against the Baltimore Orioles, he will set a Red Sox team record with a 35 game hitting streak. That record has been held since 1949 by another Red Sox center fielder – Dominic DiMaggio.

With this in mind, have a look at what I wrote about The Yankee Clipper’s achievement on the occasion of its 70th anniversary.