and hit safely in 61 consecutive games in 1933

I seem to vaguely recall the 61 gamer too..

Joe DiMaggio threw out the first pitch in game six of the 1962 World Series (to a standing ovation), and my mom was there. This is also the story how my mom ended up in a prime corporate box seat because Pops had a court date.

The Yankees were ahead of the Giants, 3-2, in the series when they returned to the West Coast. Game six was scheduled for a Thursday, and my pops landed a coveted ticket to the game. It was rained out because the Mother-of-all storms swept through. Rain, rain, rain, and more rain, delayed game six for four days. Come Monday, they were able to play the game. That is, after they brought in three helicopters to dry the outfield.

Pops had his ticket, but he also had a Monday court date, so my mom went in his stead. Mom told me how she experienced a bit of stink-eye from the seven corporate executives when she showed up. Mom was undaunted; baseball is baseball. She's also a mathematician and a compulsive counter, and can't watch a game without keeping score. By the fifth inning, they were peering over her shoulder and pummeling her with questions; she became part of the gang.

The Giants won the game, tying the series, but lost game seven: Would have, could have, should have been.

Just a brilliant athlete!