Joe D thoughts

Scott Garner · #1 10-25-2014, 08:50 PM

Interesting story about Joe D.

A bit OT, but...

In 1969 for the Centennial of MLB Bob Feller was actually voted "The Greatest Living Right Handed Pitcher" (he didn't create this title himself- LOL). I had Rapid Robert sign these 1969 MLB commemorative stamps with that inscription about 2 years before he passed away.

RIP Mr. Feller

w7imel · #2 10-26-2014, 12:27 AM

Damn I just wanted to know if ball looked good but now you guys got me disliking the guy. I never knew he was such a dick. haha dont even think I am going to bid on the ball now. I never knew that he was so difficult as a person. But thinking of it my wife would probably have similar things to say about me......

TUM301 · #3 10-26-2014, 05:54 AM

Don`t have and never want any J. Dimaggio items in my collection. Now his brother that`s a different story.

71buc · #4 10-26-2014, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TUM301

Don`t have and never want any J. Dimaggio items in my collection. Now his brother that`s a different story.

I only have a handful of DiMaggio items in my collection. I wish I could afford more. Although I never saw him grace centerfield my father who despises the Yankees did. When he describes watching Joe D. track down a fly ball or the savage beauty of his swing it is the only time my dad sounds poetic. Although he may have been a churlish pr!ck it's irrelevant in my dad's memories. He says Dimaggio was cool before Elvis picked up a guitar. Because baseball is a game passed from fathers to sons my opinion of DiMaggio reflects my father's childhood remembrances. Baseball players are human. Some embody what is best in us (Clemente) and some reflect our darkest sides (Cap Anson). Jackson Pollock was a mess but that doesn't serve to diminish his art. In Hemingway's "The Old Man and the Sea" Santiago says "But I must have confidence and I must be worthy of the great DiMaggio who does all things perfectly even with the pain of a bone spur in his heel" If DiMaggio was good enough for my father, Hemingway, and Santiago he is good enough for me.

shelly · #5 10-26-2014, 01:15 PM

As far as the worlds greatest living ball player. Mickey Mantle would tell people that he would play with his balls better than anyone living.

w7imel · #6 10-26-2014, 02:21 PM

Guess I will just stick to my Cobb collecting. I am reading a book about cobbs life written by charles alexander and find it amazing the several different ways he has changed not just baseball but all sports both on and off the field. thanks again for opinions on ball. I like it to be real as well.

w7imel · #7 10-26-2014, 02:23 PM

Very well put 71buc (mike). +++1

shelly · #8 10-26-2014, 02:45 PM

Your dad is not alone. Many people think that of Joe the player .
The problem is that your dad probably never meet him. If he had I would feel he would think differently of the man.
Here is a guy who never said he was sorry to Mantle. Here is a guy that at an old timers game would not sign an autograph for Moose Skoworn. Here is a guy that had a time limit when you had him at a show. If you had people in line he would get up and leave. Here is a guy that would only sign a few balls at a show and then have his buddy have booth that sold his autograph balls for him.
Yes he might have been a great ball player but not a great man.

w7imel · #9 10-26-2014, 03:05 PM

Nice insight shelly. I would have never guessed it. I think if I was in those shoes i would act different. Had several Joe D signings at sports shows in denver when I lived there and didnt have the 150 a ball at the time and now glad i didnt spend the money on it now. I learn something new here every day for sure

71buc · #10 10-26-2014, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shelly

Your dad is not alone. Many people think that of Joe the player .
The problem is that your dad probably never meet him. If he had I would feel he would think differently of the man.
Here is a guy who never said he was sorry to Mantle. Here is a guy that at an old timers game would not sign an autograph for Moose Skoworn. Here is a guy that had a time limit when you had him at a show. If you had people in line he would get up and leave. Here is a guy that would only sign a few balls at a show and then have his buddy have booth that sold his autograph balls for him.
Yes he might have been a great ball player but not a great man.

I can't argue with that. However, I looked to my father as an example of how a man comports himself. DiMaggio was just an example of a supremely talented baseball player nothing more nothing less. Manhood and manners have nothing to do with athletic greatness. It must have been a sad and lonely way for a baseball legend to navigate his way through his post baseball life.

On a lighter note, my dad loved Ted Williams as well. He tells me stories of how he and my uncle would sit in the leftfield stands at Municipal and call Teddy Ballgame names and boo him. He still laughs when describing how Williams would give them the finger or bend over to tie his shoes and then grab his ass in response to them. My dad claims that when Williams would respond in that manner he elevated himself in their young eyes. Based on those recollections perhaps my dad’s memory isn’t a very good barometer of 1940’s and 1950’s class.

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