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 Catching fire Piazza's hit streak falls short of record for backstops
Posted: Monday June 28, 1999 03:59 PM
By Desmond M. Wallace, CNN/SI With a mere stroke of his bat in the eighth inning against the Florida Marlins on Tuesday, Mike Piazza entered the New York Mets' record books. The New York catcher not only blasted a solo homer, he also extended his personal hitting streak to 24 games. In doing so, Piazza tied Hubie Brooks for the longest hitting streak in team history. Brooks had established the team record in 1984, from May 1 to June 1. However, like Brooks, Piazza couldn't make it past 24. His streak was snapped Wednesday with an 0-for-4 night against the Marlins. But during his 24-game stretch, Piazza hit .353 with eight home runs and 18 RBIs. He had hit safely in every game since May 24 and raised his average 24 points during the streak.
Piazza was closing in on baseball's record books as well. Still, Piazza's consecutive-game feat ranks as one of the majors' longest hitting streaks by a catcher. Only five catchers in history have had longer hitting streaks than Piazza's. In 1987, the Padres' Benito Santiago set the major league mark for receivers by hitting safely in 34 straight games. Just one other catcher, Cleveland's Sandy Alomar, has had a streak reach 30.
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