Joe DiMaggio

On this date in 1999, Joe DiMaggio passed away at age 84.

"There's always some kid who may be seeing me for the first or last time. I owe him my best."

Dario Lodigiani

On this date in 2008, Dario Lodigiani passed away at age 93.

"He (Joe DiMaggio) was really in a way you'd have to say, a mean player. I remember one game we were playing in Yankee Stadium and Joe was at bat and he hit a ball to left center. And he rounded first base and he came into second base and they're throwing the ball at me. I am covering the play. When I caught the ball, I thought a train hit me. You know, I tagged him and he plowed into me and knocked me over on my back and everything. And I got up and I said, 'Hey Joe, what's going on here?' He didn't say nothing. He just brushed his pants off and ran over to the dugout. And I thought, well if that's the way he plays baseball, you got to be careful when he gets on base."

Joe McCarthy

On this date in 1957, Joe McCarthy is elected to the Hall of Fame.

"I don't know - nor have I any intention of ever finding out." - when asked if Joe DiMaggio could bunt  

Joe DiMaggio

On this date in 1954, Joe DiMaggio marries Marilyn Monroe.

Marilyn: "You've never heard such cheering!" (After appearing before 10,000 troops in Korea)

Joe: "Yes, I have."

Ben Chapman

Born on this date, Ben Chapman.

"Sure I did. Everyone used those kids of words back then. Heck, we said the same things to Joe DiMaggio and Hank Greenberg." - on yelling racial slurs at Jackie Robinson during games

Joe Dimaggio

On this date in 1951, Joe DiMaggio retires.

"Joe DiMaggio seldom showed emotion. One time after striking out, he came into the dugout and kicked the ball bag. We all went "oooh". It really hurt. He sat down and the sweat popped out of his forehead and he clenched his fists without ever saying a word. Everybody wanted to howl but he was a god. You don't laugh at gods." - Jerry Coleman  

Joe DiMaggio

On this date in 1941, Joe DiMaggio is named the AL MVP.

"He's one of the loneliest guys I ever knew, and he leads the league in room service." - Eddie Lopat 

Roger Maris

On this date in 1961, Roger Maris is named the AL MVP.

"Now they talk on the radio about the records set by Babe Ruth, Joe DiMaggio and Hank Aaron. But they rarely mention mine. Do you know what I have to show for the 61 home runs? Nothing, exactly nothing."

Joe DiMaggio

On this date in 1939, Joe DiMaggio is named the AL MVP.

"The phrase 'off with the crack of the bat' while romantic is really meaningless, since an outfielder should be in motion long before the sound of the bat meeting the ball."

Joe DiMaggio

On this date in 1941 in front of more than 60,000 fans at Cleveland, partially due to two sensational plays by third baseman, Ken Keltner, Joe DiMaggio's hitting streak at 56 games.

"We lost the ball game, so I wasn't feeling so hot. My wife met me outside the clubhouse and we had a police escort to the parking lot. There were four of them. Joe had a lot of friends in Cleveland and they (the authorities) didn't take any chances." - Ken Keltner 

Joe DiMaggio

On this date in 1999, Joe DiMaggio passed away at age 84.

"There was never a day when I was as good as Joe DiMaggio at his best." - Stan Musial

Dario Lodigiani

On this date in 2008, Dario Lodigiani passed away at age 93.

"He (Joe DiMaggio) was really in a way you'd have to say, a mean player. I remember one game we were playing in Yankee Stadium and Joe was at bat and he hit a ball to left center. And he rounded first base and he came into second base and they're throwing the ball at me. I am covering the play. When I caught that ball. I thought a train hit me. You know, I tagged him and he plowed into me and knocked me over on my back and everything. And I got up and I said, 'Hey Joe, what's going on here?" He didn't say nothing. He just brushed his pants off and ran over to the dugout. And I thought, well if that's the way he plays ball, you got to be careful when he gets on base."

Joe DiMaggio

 

On this date in 1954, Joe DiMaggio marries Marilyn Monroe.

Marilyn: "You never heard such cheering!" (After appearing before 10,000 troops in Korea)

Joe: "Yes, I have."

Joe DiMaggio

On this date in 1951, Joe DiMaggio retires.

"There's always some kid who may be seeing me for the first or last time. I owe him my best."

Joe Dimaggio

 

Born on this date, Joe Dimaggio.

"If I were sitting with George Steinbrenner (to discuss a salary) and based on what Dave Winfield got for his statistics, I'd have to say, 'George, you and I are about to become partners.'"

Roger Maris

On this date in 1961, Roger Maris is named the AL MVP.

"Now they talk on the radio about the records set by Babe Ruth, Joe Dimaggio and Hank Aaron. But they rarely mention mine. Do you know what I have to show for the 61 home runs? Nothing, exactly nothing."

Joe Dimaggio

On this date in 1938, Joe Dimaggio is named the AL MVP.

"The phrase 'off with the crack of the bat' while romantic is really meaningless, since the outfielder should be in motion long before the sound of the bat meeting the ball."

Joe DiMaggio

On this date in 1999, Joe DiMaggio passed away at age 84.

"There was never a day when I was as good as Joe DiMaggio at his best." - Stan Musial

Dario Lodigiani

On this date in 2008, Dario Lodigiani passed away at age 91.

"He (Joe DiMaggio) was really in a way you'd have to say, a mean player. I remember one game we were playing in Yankee Stadium and Joe was at bat and he hit a ball to left center. And he rounded first base and he came into second base and they're throwing the ball at me. I am covering the play. When I caught that ball, I thought a train hit me. You know, I tagged him and he plowed into me and knocked me over on my back and everything. And I got up and I said, 'Hey Joe, what's going on here?' He didn't say nothing. He just brushed his pants off and ran over to the dugout. And I thought, well if that's the way he plays ball, you got to be careful when he gets on base."

Joe DiMaggio

On this date in 1949, Joe DiMaggio signs a one-year contract worth $100,000 becoming the first player ever to earn a six-figure salary.

"He's one of the loneliest guys I ever knew, and he leads the league in room service." - Eddie Lopat