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Braves right'U(((fielder Holmes hit safely in a 20th-century NL record 37 straight games, from June 6 through July 8 of his 1945 TSN MVP season. That year, he hit .352 with 117 RBI, 125 runs, and 15 stolen bases, and had league highs of 47 doubles, 224 hits, a .577 slugging average, and 28 HR ; he is the only player ever to lead a league in home runs and fewest strikeouts (9) in the same season. But these totals were all career highs, and though he batted over .300 in his next three seasons, he never again managed more than nine homers or 79 RBI. Appointed the Braves' manager in mid-1951, Holmes was fired early in 1952, finishing up as a Dodger pinch hitter. When Pete Rose broke his hitting-streak record in 1978, a tearful Holmes thanked him "for making people remember me." (MC)

FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY » February 5, 1942: In one of their best trades ever, the Braves get minor-leaguer Tommy Holmes from the Yankees for Buddy Hassett and Gene Moore. Hassett will hit .284, then join the Navy and will not make it back to the ML. The much-traveled Moore will be traded by the Yanks in less than three weeks. Holmes, with three .300+ seasons in the IL, could not break into New York's all star outfield. In 10 seasons with the Braves he will hit over .300 and win the MVP in 1948. » July 6, 1945: The Braves sweep the Pirates 13-5 and 14­8, as Butch Nieman hits a pinch grand slam in the opener. In the second game, Tommy Holmes hits in his 34th consecutive game to pass Rogers Hornsby's record of 33 in 1922. » July 12, 1945: The Chicago Cubs stop Tommy Holmes's modern-day NL hitting streak at 37 games, beating the Boston Braves 6-1 behind Hank Wyse for their 11th victory in a row. The Braves take game two 3-1, as Claude Passeau loses his first after nine straight wins. . Holmes hits .433 during the streak and will finish at .352, second in the NL. His nine strikeouts coupled with 28 HRs and 47 doubles is unparalleled for making contact and hitting for average and power. » October 6, 1948: In the WS opener in Boston, Phil Masi is called safe at 2B on a disputed call by umpire Bill Stewart on a pickoff attempt in the 8th. Masi then scores on a single by Tommy Holmes as Johnny Sain and the Boston Braves top the Cleveland Indians and Bob Feller 1-0. » May 31, 1952: Charlie Grimm succeeds Tommy Holmes as manager of the Boston Braves. Holmes will sign on with the Dodgers as a pinch hitter, but hit just .111. » July 24, 1978: Pete Rose singles twice, the first time off Pat Zachry, during the Reds' 5–3 win over the Mets, extending his hitting streak to 37 games to tie the modern major-league record held by Tommy Holmes. Zachry kicks the dugout steps in anger, breaking his foot and ending his season. » July 25, 1978: The Reds lose to the Mets 9–2, but Pete Rose collects three hits to break Tommy Holmes' record. Holmes is in attendance at Shea and shakes Rose's hand after his 3rd inning single off Craig Swan.