69 years ago tomorrow, Joe Di Maggio unknowingly started what would become one of the most beloved, unassailable achievements in modern sports. He collected a base hit in 56 straight baseball games. It's a testament to skill and perseverance that remains an iconic feat today, even as bigger, faster players who manipulate their bodies in any way imaginable to gain a competitive edge fail to come close to matching this feat.
I am taking on DiMaggio. I am taking a run at that hallowed streak. I will attempt to clip the Yankee Clipper, to jolt Joltin' Joe. My pursuit will not be a testament to skill and perseverance, but to simple-mindedness. My goal - post at least one song per day for at least 56 days. Furthermore, each song will be one I heard for the first time in 2010. That could mean mostly tunes by hirsute amerciana sad bastards or low-minute mileage (power) pop tunes, but that doesn't mean I won't try to sneak a Joe South fastball or a Charlie Rich cutter by you.
I will also valiantly try to match DiMaggio's . 408 average during the streak (for non-math majors, only 4 out of every 10 songs needs to be a hit). And if baseballalmanac.com is correct (and seriously, how could they not be?), I only need to hit 15 home runs during this onslaught.
Play ball!
Les Brown & His Orchestra (featuring Betty Bonney) - Joltin' Joe DiMaggio
Tommy Keene - My Mother Looked Like Marilyn Monroe
Simon & Garfunkel - Mrs. Robinson
Bruce Springstone - Take Me Out To The Ballgame
I am taking on DiMaggio. I am taking a run at that hallowed streak. I will attempt to clip the Yankee Clipper, to jolt Joltin' Joe. My pursuit will not be a testament to skill and perseverance, but to simple-mindedness. My goal - post at least one song per day for at least 56 days. Furthermore, each song will be one I heard for the first time in 2010. That could mean mostly tunes by hirsute amerciana sad bastards or low-minute mileage (power) pop tunes, but that doesn't mean I won't try to sneak a Joe South fastball or a Charlie Rich cutter by you.
I will also valiantly try to match DiMaggio's . 408 average during the streak (for non-math majors, only 4 out of every 10 songs needs to be a hit). And if baseballalmanac.com is correct (and seriously, how could they not be?), I only need to hit 15 home runs during this onslaught.
Play ball!
Les Brown & His Orchestra (featuring Betty Bonney) - Joltin' Joe DiMaggio
Tommy Keene - My Mother Looked Like Marilyn Monroe
Simon & Garfunkel - Mrs. Robinson
Bruce Springstone - Take Me Out To The Ballgame