Tuesday, May 12, 2009

29 Games and counting for Zimmerman

Ryan Zimmerman of the Washington Nationals has a 29 game hitting streak going into tonight's matchup versus the San Francisco Giants. Zimmerman will face Matt Cain tonight at AT&T Park in San Fran - Cain is 3-1 on the year with a 2.61 ERA. But this has not bothered Zimmerman at all through this streak. This hitting streak is legit - he has been getting hits in his 1st or 2nd at bat on a consistent basis every evening - the guy is just raking. The longest all time hitting streak is 56 games by Joe DiMaggio back in 1941. The NL record is held by Willie Keeler back in 1986/1897 - and the modern day NL record is held by Pete Rose when he had a hit in 44 consecutive games for the Cincinnati Reds and the Big Red Machine back in 1978.

If Zimmerman can get a hit tonight - he really has a chance to make this hitting streak go for a while more. His next few scheduled opposing pitchers are Barry Zito, Joe Blanton, Brett Myers, Chan Ho Park, Jamie Moyer and Ross Ohlendorf. None of those guys are dominant - Ryan really has a chance to make this hitting streak national news if he can get this thing to 35 or more games.

With all that said - I love seeing history - and if there are no cancellations, rainouts, etc and he doesn't get injured or sit any games out - he would tie Joe Dimaggio's 56 game hitting streak on June 10th at home against the Cincinnati Reds and could break it on Sunday afternoon against the Reds. Think about that though - he still has to go another full month without a 0fer - and that is just crazy talk...but good luck to you Mr. Zimmerman - I'm rooting for you.
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