Expert: Gina McDonough - 3/22/2004

Question
I'm 71 and have followed the Indians since 1946. My Dad went back a lot further.
I have very little info on the Indian players who contributed to
stopping "Joltin Joes" streak...pitchers and players alike. Please help as a friendly beer rests on it.
Thank you.


Answer
Hello Paul,

Well, the year in question is 1941.  This is the team that included pitchers such as Bob Feller, Al Milnar, Al Smith, Jim Bagby, as well as players such as Hal Trosky, Ray Mack, Ken Keltner, Lou Boudreau, and Jeff Heath.

It was on July 17, 1941 that the Cleveland Indians finally stopped Joltin' Joe's 56-game hitting streak.  It was the combination of Tribe pitchers Al Smith and Jim Bagby and some sensational plays by 3B Ken Keltner who halted it.  The final score was NYY 4 - CLE 3.  After that game, DiMaggio then embarked on a 16-game streak, which gave him hits in 72 of 73 games.

I was unable to locate a box score for that particular game, as most box scores from that era are not readily available,  but I did come close -- with an account of DiMaggio's at-bats for that game.  The following quote was written by Harvey Frommer and was found at: http://www.travel-watch.com/jd56game.htm

"Inning one, DiMaggio slashed a 1-0 pitch past third base but Ken Keltner, playing deep, backhanded the ball, fired to first. Out! DiMag was walked in the fourth inning.
The intense Yankee came to bat in the seventh inning lusting to extend the streak. Almost deafening was the noise level in the huge ballpark. A shot to third, a pickup by Keltner. DiMaggio out at first base.

"The bases were loaded in the eighth inning, and there was one out when the Yankee Clipper came up displaying no emotion. But there was plenty in the rocking, rowdy stands. The count was 1-1. Ground ball to Lou Boudreau at short. The flip to Ray Mack at second who pivoted and threw to first. Double play. The streak was over."

Here are his streak stats:   http://www.sportingnews.com/archives/dimaggio/streakstats.html

Here is the roster and stats for the 1941 Cleveland Indians:    http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CLE/1941.shtml

I hope this information helps and earns you a beer!  If I happen upon the box score for the game in question, I will send that information to you.

Regards,
Gina McDonough
All-Experts Cleveland Indians Expert