Joe DiMaggio facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Joe DiMaggio |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
.jpg)
DiMaggio, c.1939
|
|||
| Center fielder | |||
| Born: November 25, 1914 Martinez, California |
|||
| Died: March 8, 1999 (aged 84) Hollywood, Florida |
|||
|
|||
| debut | |||
| May 3, 1936, for the New York Yankees | |||
| Last appearance | |||
| September 30, 1951, for the New York Yankees | |||
| MLB statistics | |||
| Batting average | .325 | ||
| Hits | 2,214 | ||
| Home runs | 361 | ||
| Runs batted in | 1,537 | ||
| Teams | |||
|
|||
| Career highlights and awards | |||
|
|||
 Baseball Hall of Fame |
|||
| Induction | 1955 | ||
| Vote | 88.84% (third ballot) | ||
Joseph Paul DiMaggio (born November 25, 1914 – died March 8, 1999) was a famous American baseball player. People called him "Joltin' Joe" and "The Yankee Clipper." He played his whole 13-year career as a center fielder for the New York Yankees in Major League Baseball. He is most famous for his amazing 56-game hitting streak in 1941. This record still stands today!
Joe won the MVP Award three times. He was also chosen as an All-Star every single one of his 13 seasons. While he played for the Yankees, his team won ten American League championships. They also won nine World Series championships.
When he retired in 1951, he was fifth in career home runs. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1955. In 1969, he was voted the greatest living baseball player. His brothers, Vince and Dom, were also major league center fielders. Joe DiMaggio was also well-known for his marriage to the famous actress Marilyn Monroe.
Contents
Early Life and Baseball Beginnings
Joseph Paul DiMaggio was born in Martinez, California. He was the eighth of nine children. His parents were Italian immigrants from Sicily. He was named Paolo after his father's favorite saint, Saint Paul.
Joe did not finish high school. Instead, he worked different jobs. He sold newspapers, stacked boxes, and worked at an orange juice plant.
Starting Professional Baseball
Joe began playing semi-pro baseball. His older brother, Vince DiMaggio, played for the San Francisco Seals. Vince convinced his manager to let Joe play shortstop. Joe DiMaggio played his first professional game on October 1, 1932.
In 1934, the New York Yankees bought his contract for $50,000 and five players. He stayed with the Seals for the 1935 season. His team won the 1935 Pacific Coast League title. Joe DiMaggio was named the league's Most Valuable Player.
Joe DiMaggio was very popular during his career. He was mentioned in movies, TV shows, books, art, and songs. This continued for many years after he retired.
Major League Career Highlights
Joe DiMaggio made his first major league appearance on May 3, 1936. He batted right before the famous player Lou Gehrig. The Yankees had not been to the World Series since 1932. But with Joe, they won the next four World Series in a row! During his 13 years, DiMaggio led the Yankees to 9 World Series championships.
Setting Records and Nicknames
In 1936, Joe set a team record. He hit 29 home runs in his first season. He did this in 138 games. This record stood for over 80 years! It was finally broken in 2017 by Aaron Judge. Judge hit his 30th home run in his 84th game.
In 1939, Joe was given the nickname "The Yankee Clipper." The Yankees' stadium announcer, Arch McDonald, gave him this name. He said Joe's speed in the outfield was like the fast new Pan American airliner.
Joe DiMaggio was featured on the cover of the first issue of SPORT magazine. This was in September 1946, and he was pictured with his son.
In 1949, another famous player, Hank Greenberg, said something special about Joe. He said Joe covered so much ground in center field. The only way to get a hit against the Yankees was "to hit 'em where Joe wasn't." Joe also stole home five times in his career.
Serving During Wartime
Joe DiMaggio joined the United States Army Air Forces on February 17, 1943. He became a sergeant. He was stationed in California, Hawaii, and New Jersey. He worked as a physical education instructor. He was released from service in September 1945 due to health issues.
During his service, Joe played baseball for military teams. He played in exhibition games against other Major Leaguers. Because he was famous, he received some special privileges.
Later Life and Legacy
Joe DiMaggio had health issues later in his life. He was admitted to a hospital in Florida in October 1998. He had surgery for lung cancer and stayed there for 99 days. He returned home in January 1999 and passed away on March 8, at age 84.
His funeral was held on March 11, 1999, in San Francisco. He was buried at Holy Cross Cemetery in Colma, California. Joe's son passed away the following August.
Lasting Impact and Honors
When Joe DiMaggio died, The New York Times newspaper wrote about his 1941 hitting streak. They called it "perhaps the most enduring record in sports." This means it's one of the most famous and long-lasting records.
On September 17, 1992, the Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital opened in Florida. Joe helped raise over $4,000,000 for this hospital.
In April 1998, Joe received the Sports Legend Award. This was at an awards dinner in New York City. Dr. Henry Kissinger, a former Secretary of State, presented the award to him.
Remembering a Legend
On April 25, 1999, a monument was dedicated to DiMaggio at Yankee Stadium. The West Side Highway in New York City was also officially renamed in his honor. For the 1999 season, the Yankees wore Joe's number 5 on their uniform sleeves.
Joe DiMaggio is ranked No. 11 on The Sporting News' list of the 100 Greatest Baseball Players. Fans also voted him onto the Major League Baseball All-Century Team.
In August 2011, the United States Postal Service announced that Joe DiMaggio would appear on a stamp. It was released in July 2012 as part of the "Major League Baseball All-Star Stamp Series."
Images for kids
-
A baseball card of DiMaggio with the San Francisco Seals, c. 1933–36
-
1941 Advertisement featuring DiMaggio
-
DiMaggio in 1951, his last year in baseball
-
DiMaggio and Mickey Mantle at Yankee Stadium in 1970, two years after Mantle's retirement
-
Marilyn Monroe and DiMaggio when they were married in January 1954
-
DiMaggio and Marilyn Monroe staying at Imperial Hotel in Tokyo on their honeymoon
-
DiMaggio with President George H. W. Bush in 1991
-
DiMaggio in 1950
See also
In Spanish: Joe DiMaggio para niños
