Tommy Holmes
| Birthdate | 3/29/1917 |
| Death Date | 4/14/2008 |
| Debut Year | 1942 |
| Year of Induction | |
| Teams | Braves, Dodgers |
| Positions | Center Field, Left Field, Manager, Right Field |
When it comes to the NL, only Pete Rose‘s 44-game hit streak is longer than the 37-gamer put up by the Braves HoFer Tommy Holmes in 1945.
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In the collection:
Tommy Holmes held the NL hit streak record for 33 years until it was broken by Pete Rose
Tommy Holmes held the NL hit streak record for 33 years until it was broken by Pete Rose
Tommy Holmes was quite a player. The former All Star received votes in MVP balloting four straight seasons from 1943-1946, finishing as high as second in 1945. That year Holmes set the modern (post-1900) National League record by recording a hit in 37 consecutive contests. The mark stood for 33 years before Pete Rose eclipsed it in 1978. Holmes finished second in the batting race at .352 and led the league in WAR.
From 1942 through 1948, Holmes finished in the top three in the league in at bats per strikeout, standing as the toughest NL hitter to fan in 1942, ’44’, ’45, and ’46. In his career year of ’45 he led the league in hits, doubles, homers, slugging, OPS, WAR and total bases. That season Holmes hit 28 round trippers while striking out only 9 times.
In the collection is this government postcard signed by Holmes and mailed on August 7, 1948, in the middle of his lone All Star season.
Tommy Holmes had two doubles and a run scored on the day this postcard was mailed from Boston
Tommy Holmes had two doubles and a run scored on the day this postcard was mailed from Boston
By virtue of the US Postal Service date and location stamp, government postcards provide context and value to any autograph. In the collection is this card signed by Tommy Holmes with a date of August 7, 1948 to go along with the Boston postmark.
That day Holmes and the Braves squared off against the Chicago Cubs at Boston. Batting leadoff for the home team, Holmes started the attack with a double to left. Shortstop Al Dark followed with an RBI single to plate Holmes with the Braves’ first run. Holmes also led off the Boston 5th with a double – this one to right – but did not score. Holmes’ Braves beat the Cubs 6-3 behind a complete game by Johnny Sain.
Tommy Holmes hit .302 during and played in two World Series during his 11-year big league career
Tommy Holmes hit .302 during and played in two World Series during his 11-year big league career
Tommy Holmes enjoyed a productive 11-year Major League career that included an All Star appearance, two World Series appearances and a .302 lifetime average.
His greatest season came in 1945 when he hit set a post-1900 National League record by hitting in 37 straight games. That year Holmes hit a career-high .352, leading the league in hits, doubles, homers, slugging percentage, OPS, and total bases.
In the collection is this autographed exhibit card that dates to 1950. In blue ballpoint pen Holmes has written, “Yours truly, Tommy Holmes” boldy across the bottom half of the card.
Hello:
Can you tell me if Tommy Holmes wrote right handed or left handed?
Thank you.