Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Joe Dimaggio's Birthday: November 25th

"where have you gone Joe Dimaggio, a nation turns its lonely eyes on you.."
From Simon and Garfunkel's Mrs. Robinson


Joe was a larger than life guy--my childhood hero. He was the very image of grace under pressure. He was the Bronx Bomber (even though Hank Greenberg a neighborhood homegrown Bronx boy-- oversized slugger went to PS 44 on Prospect Ave., shagged flies on my turf, Crotona Park, and went on to star at Monroe High School )
My memories touch upon seeing Joe in black and white TV; as a starry eyed 7 year- old, I would eagerly wait for Mel Allen ( the voice of the Yankees) in his pitched excited voice to cry out... "next up is Dimag (deemaj), here comes the pitch and its swung on by Joe and it's a long one toward right center....it's going, going, gone." I would watch Joltin Joe round the bases in his inimitable graceful stride --all the while tipping his hat to the adoring shouting fans. A rare, individual who knew how to play up to the audience.

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