Who Saw This Coming
Pete Rose did not seemed primed for a 44-game hitting streak when it started.
He was batting .267 for the season. His average had dropped 41 points in the previous 27 games, during which he was hitting .211.
So all those who foresaw Pete Rose beginning to tear off a 44-game hitting streak 33 years ago Tuesday, please feel free to send along the winning numbers for Wednesday's Pick 6 at Belmont Park.
Here are Rose's hitting numbers for 1978, before, during and after his 44-game hitting streak:
By the way, the streak itself didn't seem to affect the way the Reds were playing. They were 36-25 (.590) before Rose's streak started and 26-18 (.593) during it. They went 30-26 the rest of the way, but the Dodgers won 30 of 40 at one point down the stretch and eased to the West Division title.