Santiago Could Extend Streak Until Next Year : Statisticians Say If Padre Hits in 36 Straight, He Can Pick Up Where He Left Off in 1988

Look out, Joe DiMaggio. Contrary to popular belief, if Benito Santiago can extend his hitting streak to the end of this season, to 36 games, it will officially carry over to 1988.

In fact, according to the Elias Sports Bureau, baseball’s official statisticians, if Santiago passed DiMaggio’s 56-game record, DiMaggio would be stuck with the qualifier.

“Santiago’s would be a separate record, but it would still be the record for the longest streak, period,” said Steve Hirdt, Elias vice president. “DiMaggio’s streak is considered the longest for one season . There’s been a lot of misinformation about this, and we wanted to clear it up.”

Discussion over Santiago’s streak, which reached 34 games Friday against the Dodgers, has even caused Elias to add another record to next year’s books. And Pete Rose is not going to like this.

Willie Keeler, with Baltimore in 1897, will hold the National League hitting streak record with 45 games, because he hit in one game in 1896 before going on his season-record 44-game streak the next season. Rose’s 44 games in 1978 will only be tied for the National League record for one season.

“Everybody who thinks Pete is the record-holder, we’re sorry,” said Hirdt. “If Santiago gets that far, Keeler’s record will be Santiago’s first landmark.”

The example Elias has chosen to use in reference to the Santiago case involves consecutive victories for pitchers.

Timothy Keefe (New York, 1888) and Rube Marquard (New York, 1912) hold the record for consecutive games won in a season (19).

Yet Carl Hubbell (New York Giants) is listed as the overall record-holder--consecutive games won, league--with 24, from July 17, 1936, to May 27, 1937. Hubbell won 16 straight to end 1936 and his first 8 games in 1937.

“That’s our reference point in this case,” said Hirdt. “Don’t worry, Santiago will most certainly be recognized.”

Santiago is happy to hear it.

“I think it should carry over, I’m glad they agree,” he said. “I was worried that I would hit in 36 games and then they would say, ‘Sorry Benny, no more games, no more streak.’ ”