Joe DiMaggio Debut Season

Lore & Background

DiMaggio made his Major League debut on May 3, 1936, batting sixth in the lineup, behind Lou Gehrig. In his rookie season, he hit 29 home runs, though this did not set a franchise record—Babe Ruth had already hit 54 in 1920. The Yankees had not been to the World Series since 1932, but they won the next three World Series (1936, 1937, 1938, and 1939).

In Their Own Story

The humid air of late May hung heavy over Yankee Stadium as the crowd roared for the new kid from California. Joe DiMaggio stepped up to the plate, the leather of his glove creaking slightly in the warm sun. He didn't look like a rookie; he looked like he had been born holding a bat. As the pitcher wound up, time seemed to slow. The crack of the wood against the ball echoed through the stands, sending a towering drive deep into center field. It wasn't just a hit; it was an announcement that the Yankees' future had arrived.

Reader's Guide

DiMaggio was a three-time AL MVP and an All-Star in each of his 13 seasons. He led the Yankees to nine World Series championships, second only to Yogi Berra (10). He retired after the 1951 season, ranking fifth in career home runs (361) and sixth in career slugging percentage (.579). He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1955.

Did You Know?

• DiMaggio's 56-game hitting streak in 1941 remains the longest in MLB history.
• He was born Giuseppe Paolo DiMaggio in Martinez, California, to Italian immigrants.
• DiMaggio was married to Marilyn Monroe.
• He missed three seasons (1943–1945) due to military service in World War II.