Ty’s tips on hitting

Joe DiMaggio and Ty Cobb attending a banquet in 1937

Joe DiMaggio, getting ready in 1937 to start his second season with the New York Yankees, decides 87 years ago today to drop the weight of his bat from 40 ounces to 36 ounces.

The move comes at the suggestion of Hall of Famer Ty Cobb, who befriends DiMaggio throughout the latter’s own Hall of Fame career.

The move immediately pays off for DiMaggio, who raises his batting average from the .323 mark he posts as a rookie in 1936 to .346 in 1937.

DiMaggio in 1937 also posts what will remain career highs with home runs (46), slugging percentage (.673) and runs scored (151), all three of which that season the major leagues.

DiMaggio that season also drives in 167 runs on 215 hits with 15 triples – three other categories he never again reaches in a career that lasts through the 1951 season.

Joe DiMaggio homers against the New York Giants in Game 5 of the 1937 World Series