Where have you gone Joe DiMaggio...

[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.