BOSTON — All good things must come to an end.
Jackie Bradley Jr. got more than halfway to Joe DiMaggio’s 56-game hitting streak and tied Johnny Damon for fourth on the Red Sox’s all-time list, but the center fielder’s streak ended at 29 games Thursday in an 8-2 loss to the Colorado Rockies. Bradley had four opportunities batting for Mookie Betts out of the leadoff spot, but he ultimately went 0-for-4.
“It was a fun ride,” Bradley said after the game. “I had a lot of fun. I enjoyed it. Most of all, the team played really well during it. I’m blessed to be in this situation.”
It would have been nice to see JBJ get farther in his chase for history, and perhaps even break the longstanding Red Sox hitting streak Joe’s brother Dom DiMaggio set in 1949, when he hit for 34 consecutive games. But Bradley still accomplished something not many people do.
“I’m very proud of myself,” Bradley said. “Like I said, to be able to get the opportunity to go this far, it’s a blessing. I wouldn’t say I’m disappointed. Obviously you want to get a hit, but the pitchers are really good in this league, and it’s tough getting a hit day in and day out. It was a pretty special run for me.”
So does Bradley have any tips for Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts, who now has MLB’s longest hitting streak at 19 games after Thursday?
“I don’t,” Bradley said. “He knows what he’s doing, and he’s doing pretty well for himself.”
With a .347 average, .909 OPS and an American League-best 67 hits, Bogaerts is doing extremely well for himself, so perhaps he can pick up where Bradley left off.
Thumbnail photo via Greg M. Cooper/USA TODAY Sports Images
