Inside Jackie Bradley Jr.’s 27-game hitting streak
Former South Carolina star Jackie Bradley Jr. extended his hitting streak to 27 games
on Sunday with a line-drive single to right field on a curve ball in the fifth inning of Boston’s victory against Cleveland.
An inside look at
JBJ’s streak:
1. Halfway home
It is the longest hitting streak in the majors since Colorado's Nolan Arenado had a 28-gamer in 2014. He’s almost halfway to Joe DiMaggio’s major-league record 56-game streak.
2. Look out Dom
Bradley is seven games from Dom DiMaggio, who owns the longest Red Sox hitting streak at 34. A hit Tuesday would tie Bradley with Wade Boggs, who is fourth at 28 games.
3. Up 120 points
The 26-year-old Bradley has raised his average by 120 points during the hitting streak, from .222 to .342. He is second in the A.L. to teammate Xander Bogaerts, who has a .346 mark.
4. Good eye
Red Sox manager John Farrell says of JBJ: "He's addressing any different type of pitch thrown at him. Knowing that they might pitch him carefully, he's not expanding the strike zone."
5. Fresh meat
His hit streak has come against a variety of pitchers, including former Cy Young winners Corey Kluber of the Indians and Dallas Keuchel of the Astros.
6. Power, too
Bradley has hit eight home runs this season, all during the hitting streak. He has an on-base percentage of almost .500 during the streak.
7. Better than Ted
Former Rex Sox great Ted Williams, who is the last man to hit over .400 during a season, never had a hitting streak longer than 23 games.
8. Pressure
''The pressure is going to be the every day answering if he's going to get a hit,” White Sox manager Robin Ventura, who holds the longest hitting streak in college baseball at 58 games.
9. Last, not least
Bradley has batted ninth for much of the season, setting the table for Red Sox leadoff man and fellow outfielder Mookie Betts.
10. Mouths to feed
Bradley is making $546,500 – a bargain for the Red Sox. He’ll be eligible for arbitration after this season. He can use a raise. His wife, Erin, is expecting any day now.
Player (Year) | Streak |
1. Dom DiMaggio (1949) | 34 |
T2. Nomar Garciaparra (1997) | 30 |
T2. Tris Speaker (1912) | 30 |
4. Johnny Damon (2005) | 29 |
5. Wade Boggs (1985) | 28 |
T6. Jackie Bradley Jr. (2016) | 27 |
T6. David Ortiz (2012-13) | 27 |
T6. Manny Ramirez (2006) | 27 |
T6. Dom DiMaggio (1951) | 27 |
This story was originally published May 23, 2016 at 8:00 PM.