Robinson Cano established a career high 19-game hitting streak 71 years ago to day that Joe DiMaggio hit in his 56th straight game. (Photo: AP)
Last night, Robinson Cano extended his hitting streak to 19 games. By most franchises’ standards, that would be considered a relatively lofty accomplishment. However, Cano’s achievement just so happened to fall 71 years to the day Joe DiMaggio wrapped out a hit in his 56th consecutive game, so the feat was little more than a footnote in the annals of Yankees’ history.
Even though he is only one-third of the way to DiMaggio’s record, Cano’s 19-game hitting streak should not be overlooked. The All Star second baseman’s string of hits might not measure up to Joltin’ Joe, but it is the longest hitting streak by a Yankee since Derek Jeter reached the same mark in May 2007. What’s more, with only two more games, Cano’s streak would rank among the top-13 in franchise history.
Top-10 Longest Hitting Streaks in Yankees’ History
Note: Streaks less than 30 games may be incomplete before 1918.
Source: Baseball-reference.com and baseball-almanac.com
In addition to chasing history, Cano is also three games behind the Indians’ Michael Brantley for the longest hitting streak of the present season. If he surpasses that mark, and maintains it for the rest of the year, he’d become the first Yankee to have the longest hitting streak in the majors since Joe Gordon’s 29-game string was the top mark in 1942 (the last Yankee to author the A.L.’s longest hitting streak was Don Mattingly, whose 24-game mark was the best in 1986).
Even if Cano falls short of these historical plateaus, last night’s hit already pushed his current streak past his prior career high of 18 games, which he accomplished in 2009. In the process, Cano also established a new career high of nine consecutive games with an RBI, a mark that fell two games shy of the franchise record of 11, which was set by Joe DiMaggio in 1939 and 1940 as well as Babe Ruth in 1931. Finally, Cano is also in the midst of a career-high stretch for reaching base without the aid of an error. At 22 games, Cano’s current streak is one better than his previous high, which was set in August 2010.
Top-15 Highest OPS by a Yankees’ Batter During a Hitting Streak of At Least 19 Games, Since 1918
Source: Baseball-reference.com and baseball-almanac.com
Cano’s hitting streak hasn’t been of the “one-a-day” variety. His OPS of 1.190 ranks 13th among all franchise runs of at least 19 games with a base hit. However, Cano’s impressive rate of production pales in comparison to the team’s most impactful hitting streak. Over a 26-game period in 1921, the Bambino not only had a hit in each game, but also swatted 12 homeruns to go along with 39 RBIs. For perspective, only seven other players in the American League had as many homeruns that entire season.
It’s silly to even contemplate Cano, or anyone, passing DiMaggio (although, if you’re looking for an omen, Cano’s 56th and 57th game would come against the Cleveland Indians, the same team against whom DiMaggio’s streak reached its apex). However, with the way he has been swinging, the second baseman could wind up playing second fiddle to only the Yankee Clipper in terms of franchise hitting streaks. Should Cano reach the 30-game mark, it would not only help make history, but, perhaps, also thrust him to the head of the class in the MVP balloting. With the second highest WAR in the American League, Cano is already worthy of being considered a leading contender, but the laurels of a milestone achievement usually work wonders for an MVP candidacy. It worked for DiMaggio in 1941, so, if not his hitting streak, maybe Cano will match Joltin’ Joe in that regard?
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