How Andre Ethier's 24-Game Hitting Streak Ranks in L.A. Dodgers History

Andre Ethier extended his record April hitting streak to 24 games Wednesday with a fourth-inning single off Marlins starter Anibal Sanchez.

Ethier's 24 game hitting streak breaks the 40-year-old record for the longest April hitting streak in Major League history that was held by Joe Torre.

While Andre Ethier's streak is a long way from eclipsing Joe DiMaggio's Major League Baseball record streak of 56 consecutive games in 1941, it still ranks high on the Los Angeles Dodgers list. It is also the longest April hitting streak in the history of the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Here is a look back at some of the longest hitting streaks in Los Angeles Dodgers history and some tidbits on the players themselves.

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Several Los Angeles Dodgers Have Had 20-Game Hitting Streaks

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LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 07: (R-L) Former Los Angeles Dodgers Maury Wills and Tommy Davis throw out the first pitch before the Dodgers take on the St. Louis Cardinals in Game One of the NLDS during the 2009 MLB Playoffs at Dodger Stadium on October 7, 2

Several Los Angeles Dodgers have had a 20-game hitting streaks, including Tommy Davis, who did it in 1960 and 1964, John Shelby in 1988, Maury Wills in 1965, Steve Garvey in 1978 and, of course, Andre Ethier this season.

Steve Garvey's 20-game streak in 1978 was the longest by a Los Angeles Dodger during the month of April, until Andre Ethier extended his to 21 on Sunday against the Cubs.

Steve Garvey: 21-Game Hitting Streak in 1978

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1982: First baseman Steve Garvey of the Los Angeles Dodgers raises his arm to the crowd. Mandatory Credit: Allsport /Allsport

Steve Garvey is on the Los Angeles Dodgers list of longest hitting streaks more than once. His 21-game hitting streak in 1978 is his longest. Steve Garvey also had a 20-game hitting streak in April of 1978.     

A very popular player during his career as a Dodger, Garvey was part of the All-Star infield that also included Ron Cey, Davey Lopes and Bill Russell. This quartet was one of the most durable infields in baseball history. They stayed together as the Dodgers' starters for eight-and-a-half years.

Steve Garvey is currently trying to put together a group of investors to buy the Los Angeles Dodgers after MLB took control of day-to-day operations of the Dodgers from Frank McCourt on April 20.

And, as of Sunday, you can add Andre Ethier to the list of Dodgers with 21-game hitting streaks. 

Nomar Garciaparra: 22-Game Hitting Streak in 2006

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LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 23: Nomar Garciaparra #5 of the Los Angeles Dodgers runs the bases after hitting a three-run home run in the first inning against the San Diego Padres at Dodger Stadium September 23, 2008 in Los Angeles, California. (Jeff Gro

The often-injured Nomar Garciaparra was able to put together a 22-game hitting streak for the Dodgers in 2006.

Nomar Garciaparra was popular while playing for the Dodgers and was part of one of the most amazing games of the 2006 season for the club.

On September 18, the Dodgers hit four consecutive home runs in the ninth inning to tie the game against the San Diego Padres. The Padres then scored a run in the 10th inning to take the lead, but Nomar Garciaparra hit a walk off two-run home run in the bottom of the 10th to win the game 11-10.

This game is still one of the most memorable games in recent Dodgers' history.

On Monday, Andre Ethier singled in the first inning against the Florida Marlins to extend his current hitting streak to 22 games, tying Nomar Garciaparra's 22-game hitting streak in 2006.

John Shelby's 24-Game Streak and Brett Butler's 23-Game Streak

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25 Jun 1997: Brett Butler of the Los Angeles Dodgers in action during a game against the Colorado Rockies at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers won the game 2-0. Mandatory Credit: Elsa Hasch /Allsport

John Shelby's 24-game hitting streak in 1988 and Brett Butler's 23-game streak in 1991 are also among the top 10 hitting streaks in Los Angeles Dodgers history.

John Shelby was traded to the Dodgers during the 1987 season. The Dodgers were in need of a center fielder so badly that he was rushed into the lineup so quickly that there was not even time to put his name on the back of his uniform. He played the entire game as the only member of the Dodgers that did not have his name displayed on his uniform.

Brett Butler was a popular player for the Dodgers in the early 1990s and fans were saddened in May of 1996 when it was announced that Butler was suffering from a type of throat cancer. However, an operation and other treatments allowed him to return to the Dodgers' lineup in September of that year.

Andre Ethier doubled to right field in the first inning on Tuesday April 26 against the Marlins to extend his hitting streak to 23 games—tying Brett Butler's 23-game streak in 1991.

Andre Ethier extended his record April hitting streak to 24 games Wednesday with a fourth-inning single off Marlins starter Anibal Sanchez.

Now to see if he can tie Steve Sax and Paul Lo Duca at 25.

Paul Lo Duca: 25-Game Hitting Streak in 2003

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LOS ANGELES - MAY 28: Catcher Paul Lo Duca #16 of the Los Angeles Dodgers at bat during the game against the Arizona Diamondbacks on May 28, 2004 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California. The Diamondbacks won 6-3. (Photo by Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Ima

Paul Lo Duca's 25-game hitting streak in 2003 is tied for second with Steve Sax for longest hitting streaks in Los Angeles Dodgers history.  Paul Lo Duca was a member of the National League All-Star team in 2003

Paul Lo Duca quickly became a fan favorite in Los Angeles in 2001 when he struck out just 30 times. It was the fewest strikeouts by a 25 home-run hitter since the New York Yankees' Yogi Berra had just 29 strikeouts and 30 home runs in 1956.

In 2003, Paul Lo Duca ranked first in the National League in throwing out baserunners, but in 2004 he allowed 93 stolen bases, more than any other catcher in Major League Baseball. He was traded from the Dodgers along with Juan Encarnacion and Guillermo Mota to the Marlins for Hee Seop Choi, Brad Penny, and minor-league pitching prospect Bill Murphy.

Paul Lo Duca was later traded to the Mets for two minor-league prospects, where he became a member of the 2006 All-Star team.

Steve Sax: 25-Game Hitting Streak in 1986

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Second baseman Steve Sax of the Los Angeles Dodgers drops his bat and runs during a game.

Steve Sax put together a 25-game hitting streak in September of 1986 and finished the season batting .332—missing the NL batting title by just two points.

Steve Sax is considered one the most popular Dodgers players during the 1980s, but he is probably most remembered for his problems making throws to first base in 1983. Steve Sax, the NL Rookie of the Year in 1982, committed 30 errors that season, mostly on routine throws to first base in which he would miss the first baseman by several feet.

Steve Sax blamed his throwing woes on his worries about his grip on the baseball, arm angle and a few other things, but most Dodgers fans believe his throwing problems were mostly in his head.

His throwing that year became so erratic that Dodgers fans behind the first-base dugout started wearing batting helmets.

Steve Sax was eventually able to overcome his throwing woes, and by 1989 he led NL second basemen in fielding percentage and double plays.

Willie Davis: 31-Game Hitting Streak in 1969

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Willie Davis' 31-game hitting streak in 1969 is the longest hitting streak of any Los Angeles Dodger, and it also broke the organization's all-time record of 29 games set by Zack Wheat in 1916.

Willie Davis's 31-game hitting streak ended on September 4 1969 against the division rival San Diego Padres.

Willie Davis also had a 25-game hitting streak in 1971 for the Los Angeles Dodgers.

How Long Will Andre Ethier's Hitting Streak Last?

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LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 20: (L-R) Andre Ethier #16 celebrates with teammate Casey Blake #23 of the Los Angeles Dodgers after hitting a two run homerun in the first inning against the Atlanta Braves at Dodger Stadium on April 20, 2011 in Los Angeles, Cali

Just how long will Andre Ethier's hitting streak last?

I'm not sure, but in a season marred by fans getting beat up in the parking lot of Dodger Stadium and MLB taking day-to-day control of the team away from Frank McCourt, it is perhaps the most positive thing to come out of the Dodgers' 2011 season so far.