Andre Eithier has a 29-game hitting streak. However, he sat out the game on May 4th against the Cubs. Does that mean he loses his streak?
Technically, no–the rules say his streak is HIS games played, not his team’s. So he’s good.
Are you asking if in our opinions he DESERVES to have streak broken?
No, I was asking if his streak will still officially “count” since he sat out a game with an injury.
And FTR, I hope he beats DiMaggio’s streak.
Here is the official rule:
So a hitting streak does not end if you sit out a game (though a streak of consecutive games played does). It can also continue without actually having a hit (say, if you pinch hit and draw a walk).
The rule book lays out what stops a hitting streak and sitting games out has no effect. Going 0 for 0 with walks, HBPs or sac bunts also doesn’t effect the streak. A sac fly, however, could end the streak.
I’d also like to see someone at least make a good run at the record. A lot of people think 56 games is way out of the question. The Sporting News recently said it’s the #1 record in sports (whatever that really means, and they’re not showing much acknowledgement to the really old baseball records like Cy Young’s 749!!! complete games).
What if a player is substituted into a game, but never gets a plate appearance?
I gotta believe he’d have to have at least 1 plate appearance to determine whether the streak ended or not.
Astros backup catcher Tony Eusebio once had a 24-game hitting streak that stretched across 45 team games.
That answers the question in the back of my mind since Monday: What if an opposing team decided to be dicks and intentionally walked someong to break their streak? Nice to know the rules preclude such shenanigans.
They could still be dicks by just getting him out on his first at-bat, and then intentionally walking him the rest of the game (or even after a sac fly on the first plate appearance, for that matter). But this doesn’t happen. Most managers respect the game, and no one wants to be publicly known as a dick. However, if there’s any good strategic reason at all, most wouldn’t hesitate to walk the player.
Bet you that if he gets close his at bats will be scored far less friendly than DiMaggio’s.
There was some controversy towards the end of the McGwire & Bonds home run record seasons about managers intentionally walking them; particularly Bonds. I remember a series where the Astros (who were in a pennant race) basically walked him every time he came to the plate.
Bet you that if he gets close his at bats will be scored far less friendly than DiMaggio’s.
It’s not so irrational to walk a guy who is hitting a homer every eight or ten at-bats and driving in a lot of runs. The 'Stros were not obliged to throw fastballs down the middle so Bonds and McGwire could have “a fair shot” at a homer. On the other hand if you walk Andre Ethier three or four times in a game, you’re probably hurting yourself even if you end the streak.
Probably not if he’s at home. On the other hand, if the Dodgers play in Yankee Stadium this year… (FTR I don’t think they do)
I’d be more concerned about his many games in San Francisco.
I hope this isn’t a spoiler for the West Coast audience, but the streak has ended in New York.
That’s a shame. I was hoping I’d see DiMaggio’s streak broken (and a Triple Crown winner and a few other lofty sports records) in my lifetime.
It’s still early in the season. He can start a new streak today.