Joe DiMaggio

• 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%

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. Dom had an 11-year career with the Boston Red Sox. All three were noted for their defensive skills.

On January 15, 1954 Joe married actress and sex symbol Marilyn Monroe. Although they were only married 9 months, their union still draws attention.

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 (SAMPLE).

Joe DiMaggio died on March 8, 1999 and was interred in the Holy Cross Cemetery in Colma, California.