By Matthew Lippe
Everybody knows about the iconic hit streak during the 1941 season in which he had a hit in 56 straight games (still a record to this day). However, DiMaggio set an even more impressive streak long before he began playing for the Yankees.
Before he played in the Majors, Dimaggio played for his hometown the San Francisco Seals. In the Pacific Coast League (PCL), the Seals attractted many players from out West, as the closet MLB team was in St. Louis. After playing a couple games for the Seals in 1932, DiMaggio would sign a contract and play his first full professional season in 1933. During the ’33 season, DiMaggio had a batting average of .340 along with 28 home runs*. However, while these are two amazing accomplishments, DiMaggio would outdo himself.
At only the age of 18, he would have a 61 game hitting streak, which is still the second longest hitting streak in MiLB history. The most amazing part of this streak is that he was only 18! Playing against grown men, being able to dominate the game at that young is truly stunning. After this, it was evident that DiMaggio was a star waiting to be born as he would go on to play in the majors in 1936 at the age of 21.
Joe DiMaggio may have made a name for himself in the MLB, but his greatness began in the PCL.
*All stats via MiLB.com