Joe DiMaggio Biography / Pictures

Joseph Paul DiMaggio (November 25, 1914 - March 8, 1999) was an American baseball player.

Joe DiMaggio is remembered as one of the game's most graceful athletes--a "picture player" both at bat and in center field. Many rate his 56-consecutive-game hitting streak in 1941 as the top baseball feat of all time (his home run streak started on May 15). "The Yankee Clipper" used an unusually wide stance in winning two batting championships and three MVP awards. In 13 seasons he amassed 361 homers, averaged 118 RBI annually and compiled a .325 lifetime batting mark. At baseball's 1969 centennial celebration, he was named the game's greatest living player.

His two brothers, Vince and Dom were also major leaguers. Vince was twice a National League All-Star, while Dom had an 11-year career with the Boston Red Sox. All three were noted for their defensive skills.

Marriages

Joe was married twice in his life. His first marriage was to actress Dorothy Arnold, whom he later divorced. The marriage produced one child, a son, named Joe DiMaggio, Jr.

On January 15, 1954 Joe married actress and s-- symbol Marilyn Monroe. Although they were only married 9 months, their union still draws attention. Joe and Marilyn were set to remarry on August 8th, 1962, however Marilyn died 3 days before it could happen.

DiMaggio was immortalized in another medium when he was mentioned in the Simon and Garfunkel song "Mrs Robinson", which became famous as part of the soundtrack to the film The Graduate, his name thus recognizable to millions around the world with only the dimmest awareness of baseball ().

Joe DiMaggio died in 1999 and was interred in the Holy Cross Cemetery in Colma, California. His dying words were, "I'll finally get to see Marilyn."

Trivia:

Born: Martinez, California
Died: Hollywood, Florida
Bats: right-handed
Throws: right-handed
Played for: New York Yankees
Elected to United States Baseball Hall of Fame: 1955
223 votes of 251 ballots cast: 88.84%