Members of 'Moneyball' A's believe Indians will beat '02 streak
As the Cleveland Indians attempt to go for their 19th consecutive victory Monday, members of the illustrious "Moneyball" Oakland Athletics believe the club has what it takes to surpass their 20-game streak set in 2002.
"I was watching one night and it kind of sunk in that they were doing this," former Oakland first baseman Scott Hatteberg said Monday, according to Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle.
Hatteberg added: "Records are made to be broken and if someone’s going to do it, that team’s a good one - I love Terry Francona. There couldn’t be a better manager to guide a team through this."
Related: Comparing the Indians' win streak to that of the 'Moneyball' A's
The '02 Athletics went on to win 103 games, none more memorable than the club's 20th straight. Hatteberg's pinch hit, walk-off home run proved to be the difference maker, giving the A's a 12-11 win against the Kansas City Royals.
Eric Chavez, Hatteberg's former teammate, likes what he's seen from the Indians throughout their streak.
"I think they’re going to do it, too," Chavez said. "They have a chance to break it. They’re hitting on all cylinders."
The Indians and A's are the only two teams since 1961 to win at least 18 straight games.