Where have you gone Joe DiMaggio...

[thekingofclout]

today marks eleven years since Joltin Joe has left and gone away...

dimaggiocirca1930s.jpg

[Ladder7]

Sportsmen's Park. Game 22 of The Streak. Fan photo

I can now see why noone's there... Upper deck banner reads, "TB Ball game, Wednesday June 25th"

[thekingofclout]

BTW... I Thought you said you were giving up on vintage photos and sticking with cards

[bijoem]

Corporal Joe

Attached is a link from one of five pieces we lent to the Museum of the City of New York for its Glory Days of Baseball exhibit

We have a number of other distinguished pieces of memorabilia which we obtained from Mr. Dimaggio

http://www.mcny.org/glorydays/inning-2/music2.html


Bruce Dorskind
America's Toughest Want List
bdorskind@dorskindgroup.com

[batsballsbases]

Had A golf outing with Joe and he did this for me.

[prewarsports]

This is my favorite Joe DiMaggio photo that I own. I remember it being on the cover of a magazine or something too but I cant remember where I have seen it before. It is an original Type 1.

Rhys

[jerseygary]

Young Joe...

My Baseball Card Project:
www.infinitecardset.blogspot.com

[perezfan]

That's a great photo, Rhys...

I love that he's using a kid's souvenir Bat Pen to sign the ball.... Just like the ones he kept for Christmas/New Years gifts! A charming and endearing image.

[Ladder7]

I like the Yankee snuglee!

[Oldtix]

[David Atkatz]

Originally Posted by prewarsports

This is my favorite Joe DiMaggio photo that I own. I remember it being on the cover of a magazine or something too but I cant remember where I have seen it before. It is an original Type 1.

Rhys

Probably the last time he signed for free.

[Jacklitsch]

[olsport]

This is the only wire photo I have:

Since I am from the Bay area, here is Joe's Cafe in SF from 1941.

And a postcard from it. Notice sign changed to Joe's Grotto

[3and2]

DiMaggio enlisted in the United States Army Air Forces on February 17, 1943, rising to the rank of sergeant. He was stationed at Santa Ana, California; Hawaii; and Atlantic City, New Jersey as a physical education instructor. He was discharged in September 1945.

Here is an original photo of him playing for the Army

[Heritage Sports]

Here's a pretty cool DiMaggio piece which is in the current Heritage Signature auction. It's the first ever six-figure baseball contract, for DiMaggio in 1949.

http://sports.ha.com/common/view_ite...7&Lot_No=81923

[thekingofclout]

comes this superb pair of 1961 Season Passes. The first one is from MLB and the second is compliments of the Yanks. What's really neat about these is that I bought them a couple of years apart from different sellers. How lucky is that?

DiMaggio1961pass.jpg

1961dimaggioPASS.jpg1961dimaggioPASSverso.jpg

[David Atkatz]

Originally Posted by 3and2

DiMaggio enlisted in the United States Army Air Forces on February 17, 1943, rising to the rank of sergeant.

Only after he was shamed into doing so. And, unlike his rival Ted Williams, who was a combat fighter pilot, Joe spent all his time stateside, playing baseball.

Real class.

(As you probably can tell, I really don't like DiMaggio, and the absurd reputation he has for being a class act. Class act? He alienated every human being he ever dealt with, including his two wives, his son, and his brothers. Like almost every Yankee Joe D played with, Mickey Mantle couldn't stand him. In short, he was a prick. When he died, his only "friend" was a money-grubbing lawyer, living large off DiMaggio's estate. He was a poor excuse for a human being.)

[GrayGhost]

Well, I know from all I've read he was a fantastic player. That's all I'm personally interested in.

[David Atkatz]

That's fine.

But personally, I find it kind of hard to idolize a shit just because he could hit and run and throw.

[sicollector1954]

Back in 1995 at the Sun Times Show in Chicago-I was getting an autograph from Joe Dimaggio on a Sports Illustrated. At the time, he had a list of things he would and would not sign. A flat at the show cost $175.00--a hat $350.00. A guy in front of me had a B/W photo signed by Mantle and Williams and needed only his to have all three on his picture. When he got to the autograph table-Dimaggio looked up and said--I'm not signing this. I don't sign anything Mantle signed ahead of me. Needless to say, the guy had to get out of line-buy a baseball for $10.00 and get back in line and have it signed later that day. Enough said.

[mr2686]

At least he signed the baseball (I'm assuming). When I saw Joe back in 91/92, he wouldn't sign any baseballs. Then during a break, a little blonde girl comes up to him with a baseball and he gladly signs it. Of course, dad was very happy!!

[GrayGhost]

Originally Posted by sicollector1954

Back in 1995 at the Sun Times Show in Chicago-I was getting an autograph from Joe Dimaggio on a Sports Illustrated. At the time, he had a list of things he would and would not sign. A flat at the show cost $175.00--a hat $350.00. A guy in front of me had a B/W photo signed by Mantle and Williams and needed only his to have all three on his picture. When he got to the autograph table-Dimaggio looked up and said--I'm not signing this. I don't sign anything Mantle signed ahead of me. Needless to say, the guy had to get out of line-buy a baseball for $10.00 and get back in line and have it signed later that day. Enough said.

That's ridiculous. Joe D wasn't even the greatest Yankee of them all IMO. To me, that list goes..

1. Babe
2. Lou
3. Mickey
4. Joe
5. Yogi

How does that compare to other members top five?

[Mr. Mitt]

I'd put Joe in front of Mickey, persoanlly, but understand those that rank them your way.

[thekingofclout]

Originally Posted by Mr. Mitt

I'd put Joe in front of Mickey, persoanlly, but understand those that rank them your way.

I concur with you Jerry.

[Mr. Mitt]

The better question is... who are numbers 6-10?

[Ladder7]

No question, Joe was a pr!ck. Regardless if he'd seen action, He DID enlist and as luck would have it, he wasn't needed overseas. But certainly could have shipped out if the Enola Gay and Bock's Car hadn't have taken off from Tinean one month before the Dago received his DD214.

Incidentally, Teddy also had more problems than a math book and had little love for the Beantown fans (and it was reciprocal) 'til later in his career. It's understandable, Boston fans can be painfully critical, yet the most grateful. Often times in the same inning

My question to noone in particular, Who in Today's game would make theirself available for the Country?

List of Am Leaguers who served in WWII; http://www.baseballinwartime.com/tho..._served_al.htm

[thekingofclout]

Originally Posted by Mr. Mitt

The better question is... who are numbers 6-10?

I would put Jeter at #6 and Whitey in the 7 slot.

[Mr. Mitt]

I'd say Mo, Whitey then Jeter...

Think that Mo has been more instrumental in actually winning championships than Jeter.

[thekingofclout]

Originally Posted by Mr. Mitt

I'd say Mo, Whitey then Jeter...

Think that Mo has been more instrumental in actually winning championships than Jeter.

Actually Mo was the set up man (albeit a great one) in '96 and Wetteland won the series MVP saving all four victories.

Also, you can't forget that Mo blew the 2001 Series to the D-Backs.

I stick with Jeter 6, Ford 7, than I go with Dickey at 8, Mo 9 and after giving it some thought, my pick for the 10 slot would be a dead heat (no pun intended) between Maris & Munson.

That leaves out lots of deserving guys but that's all part of the fun when you make a list like this!

Best, Jimmy

[Mr. Mitt]

I don't blame Mo for 2001, the loss rests with Torre. The infield should not have been playing in with Mo on the mound. It still sickens me to think about it because I was questioning the move before the bat was sawed off.

[mr2686]

I agree...I'm still yelling at Torre for having the infield in. With that said, I still would list Jeter ahead of Mo because he's an everyday player that does the little things day in and day out to win ball games.
1. Babe
2. Lou
3. Mick
4 Yogi (if you disagree, ask Stengel)
5. Dago
6. Jeter
7. Whitey
8. Dickey
9. Mo
10. Gomez

[thekingofclout]

Originally Posted by Mr. Mitt

I don't blame Mo for 2001, the loss rests with Torre. The infield should not have been playing in with Mo on the mound. It still sickens me to think about it because I was questioning the move before the bat was sawed off.

Originally Posted by mr2686

I agree...I'm still yelling at Torre for having the infield in. With that said, I still would list Jeter ahead of Mo because he's an everyday player that does the little things day in and day out to win ball games.
1. Babe
2. Lou
3. Mick
4 Yogi (if you disagree, ask Stengel)
5. Dago
6. Jeter
7. Whitey
8. Dickey
9. Mo
10. Gomez

Jerry Did Torre make the throwing error as well?

And Mike. YOU are way out of line with your "Dago" remark!

I am a second generation Italian American as all of my Grandparents came over on the boat. Just wondering why you don't refer to Gehrig as a Nazi, Gomez and Rivera as Spics, or Jeter a Ni**er? You are WAY out of line, period.

Do you realize that the best managers in MLB today are Italian Americans?! Torre, Scioscia, LaRussa, Francona, and Giaradi. What other race can make a claim anywhere near that in any sport?!

Guess we're all just a bunch of Greaseballs like you see on TV or in the movies.

Un...believable.

[Mr. Mitt]

Jimmy, I was waiting for you to bring that up, and he did make an error, but I still think the outcome would have been different if the infield was at normal depth.

As for the "Dago" comment, his closest friends called him the "The Big Dago". It's in that context I believe the post was written. I'm second generation Italian too and did not believe that Mike was using the nickname in any other context than that. As a matter of fact, I would have loved to have gotten Joe to sign that nickname on a ball for me, but it wasn't meant to be...

[thekingofclout]

Originally Posted by Mr. Mitt

As for the "Dago" comment, his closest friends called him the "The Big Dago". It's in that context I believe the post was written. I'm second generation Italian too and did not believe that Mike was using the nickname in any other context than that. As a matter of fact, I would have loved to have gotten Joe to sign that nickname on a ball for me, but it wasn't meant to be...

Well Jerry, I didn't realize that Mike was Joe D's close personal friend!

And I was brought up in the manner that one Italian man does not call another "Dago" as a term of endearment!

Nice of you to speak up for your friend but the fact is you really don't know what his intentions were, do you?

[Mr. Mitt]

Never met nor spoken with Mike before, so I’m not sticking up for him. And no, I have no idea what his intentions were, but given that this board is filled with people knowledgeable about the history of the game, I’m giving him the benefit of assuming it was a play on DiMaggio’s nickname and nothing more than that.

[thekingofclout]

Originally Posted by Mr. Mitt

Never met nor spoken with Mike before, so I’m not sticking up for him. And no, I have no idea what his intentions were, but given that this board is filled with people knowledgeable about the history of the game, I’m giving him the benefit of assuming it was a play on DiMaggio’s nickname and nothing more than that.

Nice effort Jerry. But let's be honest here. This board is filled with more venom than a snake pit in the middle of India!

[Mr. Mitt]

You're right, there is too much venom and bickering and I'm not going to involve meyself with it. If there's an issue with what Mike said, it's up to him to clarify himself. I simply didn't read it the same way you did nor take offense to it.

[thekingofclout]

Originally Posted by Mr. Mitt

You're right, there is too much venom and bickering and I'm not going to involve meyself with it. If there's an issue with what Mike said, it's up to him to clarify himself. I simply didn't read it the same way you did nor take offense to it.

Thanks for understanding Jerry. You're a class act Goombah.

Regards, Jimmy

[ChiefBenderForever]

1. Babe
2. Jeter
3. Lou
4. Joe

[perezfan]

Originally Posted by mr2686

I agree...I'm still yelling at Torre for having the infield in. With that said, I still would list Jeter ahead of Mo because he's an everyday player that does the little things day in and day out to win ball games.
1. Babe
2. Lou
3. Mick
4 Yogi (if you disagree, ask Stengel)
5. Dago
6. Jeter
7. Whitey
8. Dickey
9. Mo
10. Gomez

Dago comment aside, I think the above list is pretty close to perfect (at least 1 - 8). I would find a way to get Red Ruffing in there. I don't mean to start a philosophical debate, but I think a starting pitcher's job is lots tougher than a closer's. I know the modern game necessitates having a good closer and all. But I would remove Mo, bump Gomez up to #9 and make Ruffing #10.

Just my .02

[barrysloate]

Mattingly doesn't crack the top ten?

[David Atkatz]

No.

[mr2686]

Ok, to clarify, my comment was a takeoff on Joe's nickname. Second, Jimmy you don't know me and you don't know if I was Joe D's close personal friend or not, and lastly my grandparents came off the boat from Assisi Italy so please don't start jumping the rails. Sorry if you took it personally but there are probably just as many Italian Americans that DO use that term as think it's a slur.

[Ladder7]

Nah, It's a slur... But not so when saying it to fellow WOP. We called each other that (and other terms) regularly.

Incidentally, Did you find your roots at Ellis Island?

I found my Nonno's papers there. Seems he arrived from Naples on my birth date! Well, in 1914.

[thekingofclout]

Originally Posted by mr2686

Ok, to clarify, my comment was a takeoff on Joe's nickname. Second, Jimmy you don't know me and you don't know if I was Joe D's close personal friend or not, and lastly my grandparents came off the boat from Assisi Italy so please don't start jumping the rails. Sorry if you took it personally but there are probably just as many Italian Americans that DO use that term as think it's a slur.

I absolutely know that you couldn't have been Joe D's close personal friend. Because if you were, you would have ranked him first not fifth !

[mr2686]

Jimmy, actually I was closer to Marilyn Again, I meant no harm or disrespect especially to a fellow Italian. That term, however, has been associated with Mr. Dimaggio in multiple writings and even used in this thread prior to my use of it. I would actually not have used it if it wasn't associated with him in some shape or form as a nickname.
I'm glad nobody jumped on me for using the terms Babe, Mick or Whitey!
All kidding aside, I really enjoy this board and hope to continue to add to further discussions/opinions.

To Ladder7, my sister is the keeper of the family tree and has copies of all kinds of stuff....even going back to the old country. Pretty amazing actually.