- Description
Kostya Kennedy, Senior Editor at Sports Illustrated on his book “56: Joe DiMaggio and the Last Magic Number in Sports"
- Keywords:
- Joe DiMaggio
- sports
- baseball
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ShalomFreedman 05/11/2012 07:43 AM Report
Joe Dimaggio was a very great ballplayer. But just for the record all those who know the game know the greatest ballplayer who ever lived was Babe Ruth. He was the outstanding pitcher of his day before becoming the first truly great homerun hitter. Aside from his key role in the whole history of the game the Babe was on the field simply far and above anyone else.
ShalomFreedman 05/11/2012 07:14 AM Report
Having grown up reading Tom Meany's 'Lucky to be a Yankee' I have long had an appreciation of the 'Yankee Clipper' 'Joe.D.' So I appreciated hearing the explanation for why he had a reputation for being dour, and few of words. Kostya Kennedy's explanation about his lack of education and the very poor family background explain this.
Dimaggio was considered the great clutch player, the guy who got the big hit when his team needed it. He was also the epitome of grace as a center- fielder. He however was very jealous of his own position. In Jane Leavy's book on Mickey Mantle she tells a couple of stories of how he was not very gracious to the one who would become his successor. But then how many kings happily give up their crown when still living?
SharkswithfrikingLazers 05/08/2012 09:09 PM Report
“I am glad it is over; I think I just lost my friend.”
Yes, his BEST friend. What a fantastic way to build a brand by having your name discussed over and over and over by those who follow baseball.
But what percentage of Americans follow baseball now compared to then? The Field of Dreams may have moved even further out into that corn field.
REMant 05/08/2012 11:06 AM Report
The pitcher's mound was higher then, the outfield shallower, and the balls softer, too. It should also be noted that the hitting streak occurred before Pearl Harbor, and that, like Ted Williams, Stan Musial and others, DiMaggio played ball in the service during the war.