IN BASEBALL, STREAKS OF SUCCESS BY HITTERS, PITCHERS AND FIELDERS come and go. While in progress, they generate extended interest among fans, the media and players themselves if they reach eye-catching heights.

Such was the case earlier this season, when Roger Clemens won nine straight games against no losses into mid-June, while left fielder Carlos Lee of the White Sox produced a hit in 28 consecutive games through the same period of time.

In suffering his first defeat as an Astro in a game on June 14 against the Cubs, Clemens was out-dueled by Mark Prior who earned the decision, 7-2.

"I was battling all night," admitted Clemens who obviously couldn't find his groove. "My stuff seemed like it was good enough, but after a while everything was up in the zone, and I paid for it."

Actually, the loss ended Clemens' run of 13 straight wins that extended back to September 11, 2003 when he pitched for the Yankees.

In setting a White Sox club record, Lee saw his streak terminated on June 16 by Marlins' starter Carl Pavano who held him hitless in four at-bats while pitching a complete-game, 4-0 shutout.

"Everything in life comes to an end," said Lee after the game in which he whiffed twice against Pavano. "It was a nice stretch."

Lee walked slowly back to the dugout after his final strikeout in the ninth inning. "I was upset because I swung at a bad pitch," he said. "I didn't get a good pitch to hit. Not just me, but all nine guys didn't get much to hit from Pavano."

Although noteworthy, the streaks this year by Clemens and Lee fell far short of some of the game's most memorable records of non-stop excellence.

Their efforts, nonetheless, stimulate, an intriguing question; to wit: What have been the most impressive individual streaks of a positive nature in major league history?

Think it over a bit, and see how the following 11 record-setting choices might agree or disagree with yours.

In 1941, from May 15 through July 16, Joe DiMaggio hit in 56 straight games. His streak finally came to an end on July 17 in a game against the Indians in Cleveland. Some superb fielding by Indians' third baseman Ken Keltner helped halt DiMaggio who batted .408 during his two-month spree.