From the AP:
Dominic DiMaggio, the Boston Red Sox center fielder and seven-time All Star who was overshadowed by his older brother Joe's spectacular career, died early today. He was 92.
DiMaggio still holds the record for the longest consecutive-game hitting streak in Boston Red Sox history.
Known as the "Little Professor" because of his eyeglasses and 5-foot-9, 168-pound frame, DiMaggio hit safely in 34 consecutive games in 1949. The streak was broken Aug. 9 when his big brother caught a sinking line drive in the eighth inning of a 6-3 Red Sox win over the New York Yankees.
Known as the "Little Professor" because of his eyeglasses and 5-foot-9, 168-pound frame, DiMaggio hit safely in 34 consecutive games in 1949. The streak was broken Aug. 9 when his big brother caught a sinking line drive in the eighth inning of a 6-3 Red Sox win over the New York Yankees.
The younger DiMaggio also had a 27-game hitting streak in 1951, which still ranks as the fifth longest in Red Sox history. Joe set the major league record with a 56-game hitting streak with the Yankees in 1941 and was elected to the sport's Hall of Fame.
The oldest of the three center field-playing DiMaggio brothers was Vince, who had a 10-year major league career with five National League teams. Joe died in March 1999, while Vince died in October 1986.
Dom DiMaggio spent his entire career with the Red Sox, 10 full seasons plus three games in 1953. He was teammates and close friends with Red Sox greats Ted Williams, Bobby Doerr and Johnny Pesky.
Although Dom did not have the batting numbers of Joe, he was generally regarded as a better defensive player with a stronger arm.
The oldest of the three center field-playing DiMaggio brothers was Vince, who had a 10-year major league career with five National League teams. Joe died in March 1999, while Vince died in October 1986.
Dom DiMaggio spent his entire career with the Red Sox, 10 full seasons plus three games in 1953. He was teammates and close friends with Red Sox greats Ted Williams, Bobby Doerr and Johnny Pesky.
Although Dom did not have the batting numbers of Joe, he was generally regarded as a better defensive player with a stronger arm.
I haven't thought about Dom DiMaggio in years, but his passing reminds me of a band of Irish brothers from the North Country who were die-hard Red Sox fans. After a few rounds of cold ones, these Yankee-haters could often be heard singing, "He's better than his brother Joe, he's Dominic DiMaggio..."
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