Since batting streaks are based primarily on making decent contact with the pitched ball, I don't think it makes any sense to select which games in a seasonal schedule a strek takes place. Why? Because beyond contact, random batted ball distribution and a bit of luck enter into the picture. We know that nearly one-third of batted balls in play go for base hits, so for a contact hitter to bat safely often [reasonably high BA] is to be expected.
Since the thread started with an homage to DiMaggio and several of us have challenged the 56 game hit streak's supremacy among records, what is there about DiMaggio's performance overall that qualifies him as among the greats.
Somewhere on this board I mentioned the "elites," hitters who generated run creation at or above 20% of their total plate appearances. Then, since so many positions have NO players who reached that threshold, I listed the position leaders, between 1901 and the present. Here's where DiMaggio shines - contact, power and consistency.
Below are "elites" [and HR record leaders] and position leaders at RC/PA % and the ration between their HR's and their K's, which seeks to look at authoritative contact rate against overall run production rates. The higher the HR/K ratio, the more productive contact is suggested. Look at DiMaggio.
Player Name............RC/PA %..........HR...........K...........Ratio
Ruth.......................25.97.............714.. ......1330....... .537
Williams...................24.09.............521.. .......709....... .735
Bonds.....................21.30.............758... .....1531........ .495
DiMaggio.................20.44..............361... ......369........ .978
Aaron.....................18.58..............755.. .... 1383....... .546
Guerrero..................19.96.............356... .......720....... .494
Greenberg...............21.23..............331.... ......844....... .392
Gehrig....................23.44..............493.. ........790....... .624
Musial....................20.20..............475.. ........696........ .682
Mays.....................18.76..............660... ......1526....... .433
Foxx......................22.23..............534.. .......1311....... .407
Mize......................19.44..............359.. .........524....... .685
McGwire.................18.93..............583.... .....1596....... .365
Pujols.....................22.18.............274.. .........444....... .617
Helton....................21.08..............297.. ........743....... .400
F. Thomas..............19.33..............505........ ..1320...... .383
Hornsby..................21.83.............301.... ........679...... .443
Schmidt..................16.75.............548.... ......1883...... .291
Mathews.................16.34.............512..... .....1487...... .344
"C." Jones................18.77.............376........ ..1062...... .354
Rosen.....................16.46.............192... .........385...... .499
Brett......................16.28.............317.. ..........908...... .349
Garciaparra..............17.53.............217.... ........509...... .426
A. Rodriguez.............19.20............503........ ...1491...... .337
Piazza.....................18.44............422... ........1092...... .386
Not only is DiMaggio one of only 11 players [1901-present] to generate runs @>20% of plate appearances, but he is also far ahead of the pack in power relative to effective contact, putting the ball in play. That is more convincing than a hit streak. The hit streak does serve to point out an amazing consistency of contact and relative power.
This should not dtract from guys like Williams, Ruth and Bonds whose numbers are affected by their extreme eyes and plate discipline, drawing walks.
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