Ty’s tips on hitting

Joe DiMaggio with Ty Cobb during a banquet at the start of DiMaggio’s career

Joe DiMaggio, getting ready in 1937 to start his second season with the New York Yankees, decides 88 years ago today to drop the weight of his bat from 40 ounces to 36 ounces.

Joe DiMaggio

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 that will remain career highs with home runs (46), slugging percentage (.673) and runs scored (151), all three of which that season leads 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.