There's NO DOUBT that the Cleveland now holds the American League record. But what about those 1916 Giants and their 26 game streak - that includes a tie???
I've been taking the position that a tie cuts off a streak, and that therefore one more win by the Indians surpasses the 1935 Cubs and gives them the major league record.
But now I've been looking into that 1916 weird tie - and (unusual for me!) have been forced to rethink my position.
In 1916, having games end in a "tie" was pretty common – because of rain, but also because of no stadium lights, teams having to leave town to catch a train, and poor field drainage. The Giants had won 12 in a row when they played the 2nd game of a doubleheader that was called after 8 innings - for either rain or darkness (sources appear to differ on the reason the game was stopped).
TODAY - that game would be have been "suspended" and then resumed at some later time in the top of the 9th with the score tied 1-1.
But IN THOSE DAYS - they didn't resume games. They just started afresh at a later point and the tie would never be counted in a team's won/loss record. In other words, for purposes of the standings, it was as if the "tie" game never occurred.
So...the 1916 Giants started a new, full game the day after the tie. They won it, of course, and then 13 more after that.
[Side note: Not clear from what I've read whether players IN THOSE DAYS got credit for their stats in the tie game. In the rare cases TODAY when a suspended game is never resumed players' stats definitely include the game.]
The problem therefore is one of comparing different eras.
There are so many examples of this, especially in baseball. The damn Roger Maris asterisk (removed even before McGwire and Bonds). Or...the fact that virtually ALL playoff records in all 4 major sports are held by modern players – because they have so many more opportunities to participate in playoff games. Or the many World Series records held by Whitey Ford - because he played with those great Yankee teams and all you had to do was win your league to be in the World Series.
I always thought the Maris asterisk was ridiculous. I think you go with whoever has the most under the rules they played.
So I retract my statement.
The 1916 Giants hold the record - and it's 26 games.
Sources I consulted:
https://www.thenationalpastimemuseum.com/article/1916-new-york-giants-26-game-win-streak
http://ordinary-gentlemen.com/2015/12/28/tie-games-in-baseball/
