Joe DiMaggio Debut Season
The Yankee Clipper: A legend of grace, power, and an unmatched hitting streak.
Joseph Paul DiMaggio (born Giuseppe Paolo DiMaggio; November 25, 1914 – March 8, 1999), nicknamed "Joltin' Joe", "the Yankee Clipper" and "Joe D.", was an American professional baseball center fielder who played his entire 13-year MLB career for the New York Yankees. He is considered one of the greatest baseball players of all time and set the record for the longest hitting streak (56 games in 1941).
Quick Facts
- Role
- Outfielder
- Affiliation
- New York Yankees
- Debut date
- May 3, 1936
- Season outcome
- Rookie of the Year (unofficial at the time)
- Status
- Hall of Fame Inductee (1955)
Lore & Background
DiMaggio made his Major League debut on May 3, 1936, batting third in the lineup, with Lou Gehrig batting fourth. 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 four World Series (1936, 1937, 1938, and 1939).
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?
- 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.
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