ABSTRACT
Joe DiMaggio's consecutive game hitting streak of fifty-six–considered by many to be the greatest feat in American sports history–began on May 15, 1941. As the string reached the twenties, and then higher, he became the central figure of the baseball world. Interest spread to those who ordinarily do not follow the game as DiMaggio reached two notable milestones in midsummer. On June 29, in a doubleheader with the Senators in Washington, he tied, then surpassed the American League and modern record of forty-one set by George Sisler of the St. Louis Browns in 1922. Then, on July 1, he tied the all-time major league high of forty-four set by Baltimore Orioles infielder Willie Keeler in 1897, eclipsing it the next day.
