This date in Braves history: Rico Carty’s hitting streak
On this date in Atlanta Braves history
May 4, 1970 -- Outfielder Rico Carty set an Atlanta team record by getting a hit in his 23rd consecutive game. His third-inning single came in the Braves' 5-3 win over the Pirates.
Carty’s streak eventually reached 31 games.
Nicknamed “Beeg Boy”, the 30-year-old won the National League batting title with a .366 average that season.
It was the highest average in the major leagues since Ted Williams hit .388 in 1957.
Carty also had 25 home runs and 101 RBIs in 1970 and was made the NL All-Star team.
Dan Uggla’s 33-game hitting streak in 2011 eventually broke Carty’s team record.
Rico Carty, baseball great: 1939-2024
The outfielder, who played for the Braves from 1963 to 1972, had two nicknames, “Beeg Boy” and “Smiley,” the second because he was always smiling, even when he struck out.
During a 1970 hitting streak, he set an Atlanta team record for hits in consecutive games
He played on the 1969 team that won the Braves’ first division championship
