Remembering Mets History (1998) John Olerud's 23 Game Hit Streak

August 1998: John Olerud came to New York as a big hitter. He hit a fine .294 in first year getting adjusted in New York.

 In his second season as a Met, Olerud displayed just how good of a hitter he was, setting a Mets record for a single season batting average (.354) which had previously been held by Cleon Jones (.340) almost thirty years ago, in 1969. 

One of Olerud's hitting highlights that season was setting a Mets record for left hand hitters, with a 23 consecutive game hit streak.

July 1998: The Olerud streak began on July 19th at Shea Stadium. That night he came in the game in the 4th inning, replacing Todd Pratt at first base. Olerud hit his 11th HR of the year that night in an extra inning loss to the Philadelphia Phillies. 

He collected another hit the next night in another loss to the Phillies. 

Next, the hit streak went through a six game Mets win streak & a stretch where they won eight of ten games. John collected hits in the next three games then in both ends of a July 22nd double header. On July 22nd, in the first game he his 11th HR of the year, coming in Milwaukee off Brad Woodall in a 7-5 win over the Brewers. In the second game he stretched his streak to five games as the Mets swept the twin bill.

Jon had two hits in the final game of that Mets series sweep. 

The Mets win streak continued in Chicago, as they played another double header to start the series. centerfieldmaz was at this game at Wrigley Field (with Party Pete & Dennis C.) as the Mets took both ends of the double header. Olerud doubled in the 8th inning & scored on Edgardo Alfonzo's base hit in the Mets 5-0 win behind Armando Reynoso & Dennis Cook.

The Mets won the nightcap 7-3, as Carlos Baerga drove in four runs. Olerud came up as a pinch hitter in the 9th inning & doubled to right field, stretching his streak to eight games.

The Mets win streak ended the next game as they took a 3-2 loss with Olerud driving in both runs on a two run HR, his 13th of the season. The next day he got the hit streak to ten games & walked twice.

On July 28th, the Mets came home & hosted the San Diego Padres. Olerud had a three-hit game hitting his 14th HR, a three-run shot off Andy Ashby in he 7-3 win. The next night, he helped Al Leiter to a victory, hitting a two run double in a 7-6 win over the Padres. Although the Mets lost the series finale, Olerud stretched his hit streak to 13 games.

August 1998: The Mets started the month of August at Shea Stadium, with a four-game set against the L.A.  Dodgers. Olerud started with two multi-hit games in the first two of the series. He hit safely in the series split extending the streak to 17 games.

Next the San Francisco Giants came to Shea Stadium & Olerud got even hotter. He would have three straight multi-hit games, collecting seven hits in the three games series.

On August 4th, in the Mets 7-6 win he collected three hits, the next game he hit a pair of doubles in the Mets loss. On August 6th he extended the hit streak to twenty games in the 9-8 Mets win.

From there the Mets went on the road to Colorado to play the Rockies. On August 7th he & Mike Piazza, both drove in three runs in the 8-7 win. The next game he had two more hits & drew a walk, extending his hit streak to 22 games.

August 9th, 1998: Olerud had his biggest day during the entire streak. Although the Mets lost 11-4, Olerud collected four hits on the day getting his average over the .350 mark the best in the league. 

In the 3rd inning he singled with an RBI hit off Darryl Kile. Olerud added singles in the 5th, 7th & 9th innings. The hit streak was now at 23 games.

On August 10th, the hit streak ended as he went 0-4 in a 4-2 Mets win in St. Louis. He was shut down by Carinal pitchers Matt Morris & Rich Croushore.

Olerud hit .435 & collected 40 hits during the streak, with 10 doubles, 5 HRs & 19 RBIs. In 92 at bats he struck out just five times & walked ten times.

Trivia: Olerud set the Mets franchise mark for left hand hitters with the 23-game hit streak. That season he batted .354 still the best in a season by a Mets player.