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With DiMaggio’s streak in the spotlight, Ventura recalls his own
- Updated: May 15, 2016
NEW YORK — Robin Ventura didn’t want the attention.
That fact hasn’t changed almost three decades later.
But there he was as a 19-year-old sophomore, fighting for a College World Series title in Omaha, Neb., with his 1987 Oklahoma State squad, while much of the focus was placed upon his collegiate-record hitting streak.
“Too much attention for me,” said a smiling Ventura, sitting in the visiting manager’s office at Yankee Stadium. “Even now, at 48, it would be too much attention. Definitely, at that time, I was not real comfortable that they were trying to make it more about me than our team.”
The Cowboys eventually lost the championship to Stanford, and Ventura’s hitting streak came to an end at a still-standing NCAA Division I mark of 58 games. Jack McDowell started Ventura’s hitless game during the College World Series, with the right-hander being selected by the White Sox with the fifth-overall pick in the 1987 MLB Draft. Ventura joined McDowell in Chicago when he was chosen 10th overall in the 1988 Draft.
The incredible run of consistency by the understated Ventura is drawing attention this weekend because of its parallels with a much more ballyhooed streak achieved on baseball’s big stage. Sunday marks the 75th anniversary of the start of Joe DiMaggio’s legendary 56-game hit streak. It also happened to begin against the White Sox, who the Yankees face again on Sunday, and in the Bronx.
DiMaggio did his initial damage with a first-inning single against the White Sox Eddie Smith, and connected against the South Siders in 12 games over the course of the streak. His third-inning single off Smith on July 15 at Comiskey Park marked the 55th consecutive game.
When Ventura put together the collegiate streak, DiMaggio had praise for the left-handed hitter.
“I don’t care what league you’re in,” DiMaggio told The Associated Press in 1987. “It’s not easy hitting in 58 games in a row.”
“Yeah, not quite as high pressure,” said Ventura with a laugh when comparing the streaks in the …
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