BALTIMORE – Dominican Wander Franco never stops.
On Wednesday night he extended to 32 his string of games by basing a two-run homer against Chris Sorta of the Red Sox. This is the longest active chain in the Majors this year, which is impressive in itself. But it’s even more amazing when you consider that he’s only 20 and when you notice that other players have armed similar streaks at such an early age.
Among players 20 years of age or older, Franco’s run is the fifth longest in National League / American League history and the second longest in LA history.
On Sunday, he broke the tie with Mickey Mantle, who got a 28-game streak basing between June 14 and July 10, 1952. And on Tuesday he beat Ott’s first 30-game streak. Mantle is the only player with a longer chain before turning 21, as he embarked on 36 games in a row between September 5, 1951 and May 4, 1952.
Franco’s rollover is the longest for any player under the age of 21 since Robinson’s 43 between May 26 and July 7, 1956. Between Franco and Robinson’s record are Ott (33 games in 1929). ), Vaughan (33 games in 1932) and Mantle (36). All members of this list to which Franco has joined are in the Hall of Fame.