July 18, 1941. Were fans and writers celebrating. . .

[Kibitzer]

. . . or mourning? That was the day after the great Joe DiMaggio went 0-for-4 against Cleveland, thus ending his 56 consecutive game hitting streak (which, after 70 years, has never been approached).

Some records are like Joe Di's. Lasting. Hallowed. Untouchable. Like the UCLA men's basketball record of 88 straight wins, remember that one?

I'll give you another one like DiMaggio's heroic summer in 1941: winning 99 straight home games in women's basketball. It's a helluva record that will stick around a very long time.

Think about it. A team would have to win every single home game for about six seasons, taking on all comers while seeing two senior classes graduate. Overcome injuries, bum officiating, bad nights, tough competition from teams aiming at that target on your back.

There are those who think we were cursed by some girl who threw up a prayer that got answered. I think we are blessed to have watched a team we love to have run this daunting gauntlet. Nobody in New York dared to berate the Yankee Clipper for going hitless on July 17, 1941. We owe our heroines comparable respect from February 19 onward. It's time to turn our lonely eyes to our Huskies.

After all, Joe achieved immortality in only 56 games and he had four or five at-bats every day. UConn was one-or-done for 99 games. Give the girls a YAY! and let's move on.

Back to you, Geno.

 

[JRRRJ]

Hip-hip-hurrah! To the team and to your insightful missal.

 

[Aluminny69]

Well, I know Dimaggio wasn't celebrating. DiMaggio confided to a teammate after the game that by failing to get a hit he had also lost the $10,000 promised to him by Heinz ketchup for matching the number "57" featured on their labels.

DiMaggio won the 1941 American League MVP over Red Sox slugger Ted Williams in spite of the latter’s .406 batting average that season, the last time any major league player hit over .400. DiMaggio retired after the 1951 season after 13 seasons with the Yankees that included 11 pennants and 10 World Series wins. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1955.

This Week in History, Jul 17 - Jul 23

Jul 17, 1941
Joe DiMaggio ends 56-game hitting streak
Jul 18, 1999
David Cone pitches perfect game
Jul 19, 1992
Nick Faldo wins third British Open
Jul 20, 1919
Sir Edmund Hillary born
Jul 21, 1959
Pumpsie Green becomes first African-American to play for Red Sox
Jul 22, 1990
Greg LeMond wins second Tour De France
Jul 23, 1996
U.S. women take home gymnastics gold

 

[Wonkster]

Hip-hip-hurrah! To the team and to your insightful missal.

.
Indeed, a guiding missal.
.

 

[Kibitzer]

Well, I know Dimaggio wasn't celebrating. DiMaggio confided to a teammate after the game that by failing to get a hit he had also lost the $10,000 promised to him by Heinz ketchup for matching the number "57" featured on their labels.

DiMaggio won the 1941 American League MVP over Red Sox slugger Ted Williams in spite of the latter’s .406 batting average that season, the last time any major league player hit over .400. DiMaggio retired after the 1951 season after 13 seasons with the Yankees that included 11 pennants and 10 World Series wins. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1955.

Joe DiMaggio did not get elected to the Hall of Fame until his third try, so to speak, since he didn't get enough votes in 1953 or 1954. Simply amazing.

 

[hoopsdiva]

Well I wasn't celebrating or mourning. I wasn't even born yet. But you certainly do put things into a better perspective. The team and program have a lot to be proud of, and we as fans have a lot to be grateful for.

 

[Icebear]

Being a Red Sox fan I would have been cheering. I always preferred Dom.

 

[alexrgct]

Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?

 

[Sonny44]

Being a Red Sox fan I would have been cheering. I always preferred Dom.

Joe's brother Dom had a 44 game hitting streak, didn't he?

 

[pinotbear]

Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?

Forget it, he's on a roll...

"..stupid gesture,...and, we're just the guys to do it!"