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Description
In 1941, Joseph Paul DiMaggio, the son of an Italian fisherman, from San Francisco, set one of the most amazing records in sports history, as he hit safely in 56 consecutive baseball games as centerfielder for the New York Yankees. That feat stands today as one of the most significant accomplishments in sports and is considered by many experts to be the singular most difficult record to break.
When he first arrived from the minor leagues and joined the New York Yankees, no one welcomed him. He was given a uniform and he reported to practice and sat on the bench for two weeks. Everything changed in the 9th inning during a tie game, with two outs and a Yankee on third base, DiMaggio was instructed by the coach to take two strikes and on the next pitch hit the ball to right field. When Joe wrote his book, "Lucky to Be a Yankee", he was asked, "What did you do?" He said," I took two strikes and hit to right field". The lesson he said he learned was, "Luck may get you into the Major Leagues but to be a Yankee you have to perform, you have to be a champion. You need more than luck".
As a rookie in 1936, DiMaggio hit .323 and blasted 29 home runs - another major league record that stands today. During his 13 year professional baseball career, he led Yankees to nine World Series Championships and was (and is) considered to be one of the best centerfielders of all time. His speed, grace and seemingly effortless play made him a hero to baseball fans everywhere. Off the field he was well known as a well-mannered, considerate and self-deprecating private gentleman who always displayed class and refinement. A role model to youth, a personification of morale character and compassion.
Like many first generation Italian Americans, DiMaggio was a patriot and after the 1942 season, he joined the U.S. Armed Forces and spent almost four years away from baseball. One can only wonder what his numbers would be and what records he might have attained has he not chosen to enlist and he had not missed half of the 1949 season due to injuries. He retired after 1951 season having been named American League's Most Valuable Player three times. During his abbreviated career he hit .325, with 2,214 hits, 1537 RBI's and 1.390 runs. He hit 361 home runs, while striking out 369 times. He led the League in batting twice (1939 - 1940), in home runs twice (1937 - 1948), and in RBI's twice (1941 - 1948). He was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1955. In a 1069 poll he was voted baseball's "greatest living player". Joe DiMaggio brought great sportsmanship, class and character, and a dignity to the game of baseball, which he loved. "Joltin Joe DiMaggio" became a sports icon in our society.
After only 274 days of marriage, Joe DiMaggio and Marilyn Monroe were divorced. However, it is a well known fact that they were still very much in love. Theirs was a romance that transcended the miles and years and the egos and became an American fairytale - but unfortunately, they did not …live happily ever after." Upon her unexpectant death in 1962, the crushed and despondent Joe persevered and managed the funeral arrangements in a typical dignified Joe DiMaggio style as he mourned for his beautiful and troubled lost lover and bride.
In his later years he was a living legend, the most famous Italian American in the Nation's history. In 1999 Joe died, and sports fans, and the baseball world lost its greatest ambassador … a star athlete and gentleman, forever in the pages of history.
Michael Coupes' portrait captures "The Yankee Clipper", "Joltin Joe DiMaggio" the legend… but he also shows us a sadness in this American hero, who lost the love of his life, Marilyn Monroe. Coupes' portrait provides an insight to the heart of the man behind the legend. More than a photograph or painting… we see the heart of tenderness.
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