10 Rare Vintage Photos of Joe DiMaggio
Did you know his two brothers were also in the big leagues?
The list of legendary Yankee players including Mickey Mantle and Babe Ruth continue to grow, but another well-known star is none other than Joe DiMaggio.
Born in Martinez, California, in 1914, DiMaggio dropped out of high school at age 16 to work at a bottling plant and devote more time to playing baseball at a parking lot nearby. When his older brother, Vince, a minor league baseball player, recommended his brother as a shortstop, Joe joined the team’s roster. Not too long after, the New York Yankees signed Joe on a $25,000 contract, and well, the rest is history.
DiMaggio spent an impressive 13 seasons with the Yanks, earning three MVP titles and nine World Series championships. Beyond baseball, he was also in a highly publicized relationship with Hollywood’s Marilyn Monroe. Ahead, we reminisce on it all with some rare vintage photos of DiMaggio
Mother Knows Best
A young Joe DiMaggio is pictured eating pasta with his mother. DiMaggio’s parents, Giuseppe and Rosalia, were Sicilian immigrants who came to the United States in 1898. DiMaggio’s dad, a fisherman, hoped his son would follow in his footsteps, but of course, the athlete had different plans.
1939 World Series
DiMaggio posed alongside his Yankees team members during the 1939 World Series. The New York team was up against the Cincinnati Reds that year. The results? The Yanks won against the Reds, four games to none.
Working Out
A photographer snapped the center fielder when he was working out at the gym.
With Willie Mays
Catch DiMaggio with Willie Mays at the 1935 Baseball Writers dinner, which was held at the Waldorf Astoria in New York City. A fellow baseball pro, Mays played for the Giants during his 25-season career.
Daddy's Boy
DiMaggio had one child, a son named Joseph DiMaggio Jr., with his ex-wife Dorothy Arnold. Even though DiMaggio had a very public relationship and marriage to Marilyn Monroe, the two never had children.
Hawaiian Honeymoon
DiMaggio and Monroe, his second wife, arrive back to the continental United States after visiting Hawaii for their honeymoon.
A San Francisco Stoop
DiMaggio stopped by his old neighborhood in North Beach, San Francisco, to meet with some children after getting drafted into the big leagues.
The DiMaggio Brothers
The baseball player posed with his two brothers, Vince and Dom, before one of the 1936 World Series games. Both brothers also played in the major leagues. In fact, Dom played for the Yankees’ rival team, the Boston Red Sox, for 11 seasons.
MVP
DiMaggio won nine World Championships and 10 American League pennants and was named MVP on three separate occasions: in 1939, 1941, and 1947.
Signing Autographs
The center fielder signed autographs for young boys from Greenwich House, a New York City settlement house founded in 1902, while on bed rest for a torn leg muscle. This picture was snapped at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, also in the Big Apple.
Brittany is a freelance writer based in her hometown of New York City. She writes about everything from fashion and beauty to food and wellness. When she's not writing, she can often be found at her local library, playing with her cats, or exploring the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
