July 17, 1941 – All good things must come to an end. That was truly the case on this date as Yankees fans witnessed the end of Joe DiMaggio’s pretty awesome 56-game hitting streak in Cleveland against the Indians. The streak started without much fanfare back on May 15, 1941, when DiMaggio singled off of White Sox left-hander Eddie Smith in a game the Yankees ultimately lost, 13-1.
The Yanks went a game below .500, but the best was yet to come for Jumpin Joe and the Yanks. On July 16, he extended the streak to 56 games with a three-hit performance against this same Cleveland team in a 10-3 victory for New York. Perhaps he used up all of his allotted hits in that contest because on the 17th, well the Cleveland pitching staff shut him down.
All DiMaggio could muster was two hard groundouts, a walk, and a double play later, and so Joe had ended a game without a hit for the first time in two months and two days.
To find more great daily sports history make sure to check out the Sports Jersey Dispatch and Pigskin Dispatch.
More From Sports History Network
Sports History On This Day: May 27
May 27, 1968 – Football’s legendary player, owner, and founding NFL member George Halas retired
Sports History On This Day: May 26
May 26, 1974 – The words “Gentlemen start your engines,” was declared for the first
Sports History On This Day: May 25
May 25, 1919 – There are hidden talents to many of the athletes we celebrate
Indy 500 Race Day: On The Grid
In this episode, Tim Coffeen will take you inside the garage as an Indy
Sports History On This Day: May 24
May 24, 1935 – A landmark event occurred at the ballpark in Cincinnati, Ohio. President
How Would You Rank the Best NFL Teams of the 1970s?
Many would argue the NFL during the 1970s was the best era in league
Sports History On This Day: May 23
May 23, 1922 – Boxer Gene Tunney suffered his only professional defeat in a 15-round
When George Halas Went To War; What Happened to the Chicago Bears?
George Halas, the founder and also coach of the Chicago Bears for many decades,