Damn Yankees by Edward Drobinski - HTML preview
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Damn Yankees
Page 326
the first game of a doubleheader against the Washington Senators at Griffith Stadium to tie Sisler's record and then singled in the nightcap to extend his streak to 42.
A Yankee Stadium crowd of 52,832 fans watched DiMaggio tie the all-time hitting streak record; 44 games by Wee Willie Keeler in 1897, on July 1. The next day against the Boston Red Sox, he homered into Yankee Stadium's left field stands to extend his streak to 45, setting a new record. DiMaggio recorded 67 hits in 179 at-bats during the first 45 games of his streak. DiMaggio continued hitting after breaking Keeler's record, reaching 50
straight games on July 11 against the St. Louis Browns. On July 17 at Cleveland's Municipal Stadium, DiMaggio's streak was finally snapped at 56 games, thanks in part to two backhand stops by Indians third baseman Ken Keltner. DiMaggio batted .408 during the streak with 15 home runs and 55 RBI. The day after
the streak ended DiMaggio started another streak that lasted 16 games, therefore hitting safely in 72 of 73 games. The Yankees' record during the streak was 41–13–2.
DiMaggio enlisted in the United States Army Air Forces on February 17, 1943, rising to the rank of sergeant. He was stationed at Santa Ana, California, Hawaii, and Atlantic City,
New Jersey, as a physical education instructor. He was released