SportsCentury Greatest Athletes #22: Joe DiMaggio

Originally aired in 1999. This was the 30-minute version that aired as part of the SportsCentury countdown.

[@stephenm8725]

Joe D was awesome. What a life and one of the greatest Yankees of all time! #5

[@aida_amore]

Joe truly loved her and wow...what an amazing character of a man! He's a true legend!

[@IanBillen]

Yeah ... He wanted her to be happy and for her to be ok .. with him or without him ... which means it was honestly .. 'true love'. In being married to a celebrity as well as being one yourself .. it is rare these type of situations exist after separation.

[@themadlad8540]

@MANCHESTER UNITED fuck off soccer is gayer then a brit a Wimbledon.

[@stephenarato5391]

He wasn’t very nice to Mantle

[@michaelluna1968]

He delivered Flowers to her gravesite every week for several years.

[@Nestor123057]

@@user-gu4tv4hp6s Yeah, but the United States is the only country that counts.

[@michaelluna1968]

I read Ernest Hemingway’s The Old Man and the Sea and was introduced to this DiMaggio. Then I discovered Simon and Garfunkel and realized what an Icon this DiMaggio was.

[@MikeyD22]

Helped lead the Yankees to 10 World Series in just 13 years. (9 rings) Joe D was as good an all-around ballplayer as we've ever seen. Most of the greats of that era including Williams, Mantle, etc, said he was THE greatest.

[@Zenigundam]

RIP Joltin' Joe. Can't believe it's been 20 years since he died. I was a kid when he passed on and now I'm 29, but I always admired him. Nobody will ever touch that 56 game hitting streak. Thanks to the OP for uploading his SportsCentury.

[@phaedo1384]

a lot of people would say that Stan was the best of the 3

[@MikeyD22]

@@phaedo1384 Maybe, but most of the players thought Joe was which is why he was voted "The Greatest Living Player" in 1969 at the baseball centennial celebration event. Stan had an incredible career and was blessed to have been healthy long enough to play 20+ years. However, Joe D could run better and play defense a little better than Stan. DiMaggio was considered to be one of baseball's first true "5 tool" players.

[@ilikepie19921]

@@MikeyD22 Stan over DiMaggio, in my opinion. Stan is 2nd all time in total bases and 3rd all time in runs created. DiMaggio was a more complete player because of his speed and defense, but I still say Musial was the greater overall player.

[@MikeyD22]

@@ilikepie19921 I completely respect your opinion. Stan was a phenomenal player indeed and even nicer, classier person. But, when you say "overall" player, you have to include all baseball skills which include running the bases, and defense. Almost every HOF from that era agreed that Joe D. was the best all-around. You also cannot discard his leading by example - the 9 World Series championships in only 13 years. Berra and all his teammates have said many times the Yankees were much better team with him and just an above average team without him.

[@jorgealmeyda5222]

Saw this documentary when it premiered on ESPN. And the part that I remember the most is when Gay Talese says Marilyn told DiMaggio he’s never heard applause and cheering she was receiving and he says yes I have. That’s always remained in my memory of this show.

[@PaulGreen11]

"Where have you gone, Joe DiMaggio a nation turns its lonely eyes to you."

[@darioespino2063]

In 24 hours you been gone for 20 years. From Cuba 🇨🇺 we love you and miss you.

[@drraphaelworks4188]

A truly iconic player baseball has ever seen.

[@billysheppard6091]

Joe.was a true gentleman..he was reserved..and after watching this .kinda shy, definitely reserved..he must of set standard's for himself and . probably was his own worst critic...he played baseball really smooth..he passed away to soon..I read that every day or week after Marilyn passed,he had a dozen roses placed in front of her tomb... what a great man,.. imagine mickey mantle.having to fill center field.after DiMaggio...the pressure..

[@tomloft2000]

he still has the 56 game hitting streak.along with Ted Williams hitting .400,maybe the oldest record in baseball.

[@michaelcarusone631]

Two words- relief pitchers! That’s the huge difference in today’s game

[@relynshook9495]

Even after her death he still loved Marilyn Monroe . his last words before he died was im finally gonna see Marilyn now he's in heaven with her

[@johnrsanchez3890]

#5 Poetry in motion he played center field with gracefulness made plays with ease quote from the movie the The Old Man And The Sea Aaaah The Great DiMaggio

[@ryanmoore3876]

Wish l coulda seen him play!! Pure class!!

[@fredpickett6219]

One of the best Players We ever had.

[@chargingrhino2424]

Dimaggio was great.

[@normajean7332]

He sure was!!

[@eddiesimms9301]

If I could have been a big league baseball player I would wanted to play the game with flare like Wille "The say" kid,Mays and have the dignified look of Joe "The Yankee Clipper" DiMaggio off the field.

[@dumisatonyjohnson8145]

56 game hitting streak

[@Rafael-mh6yz]

Is it that big an accomplishment to hit for 56 games?

[@barbaradarnell.3802]

Rafael 37 ,in the history of MLB no one has come close to the 56 game hitting streak.The 44 game streak by Pete Rose was great,but still twelve short.

[@seanmcelroy4764]

I was 13 years old in 1979 i waited all day with my friend and he drove up in a yellow mercury montego we said there he is and ran to see him he took the candy bar out of my hand and took a bite out of it . Looking back it was priceless meeting him in his birthplace of Martinez California

[@bigplaystanley9543]

Jolting Joe, my pops favorite

[@stephenarato5391]

Arguably the greatest all around player ever

[@chrisfritz3605]

I'd have to say that not only one of the greatest but that he was the most perfect player in every aspect of the game.

[@MVuke84]

Where have you gone Joe Dimaggio, a nation turns its lonely eyes to you...

[@johnscialfa7391]

the greatest italian of em all.

[@sdgakatbk]

Um, what about Vince Lombardi?

[@allend2749]

what about don corleone

[@guccimane3731]

Rocky?!?!

[@michaelmortell4401]

Julius Caesar? Lucky Luciano?

[@Jackiezyon]

🇮🇹🇮🇹🇮🇹

[@zebrawood8615]

People saying that DiMaggio was overrated are the same people who think that Barry Bonds was the greatest ball player because he got the most home runs. DiMaggio did everything well, which is why he remains arguably the greatest all-round ball player. The only stats that matter are his nine world championships, and in so many of those games he was the difference between the teams. Ted Williams was a great hitter, but in the final analysis, the name of the game is to win, and Williams won nothing. When Phil Rizzuto, Yogi Berra, Whitey Ford, and Mickey Mantle all say that DiMaggio was the Yankees' greatest center fielder, that tells you everything you need to know. Ted Williams said on numerous occasions that he considered DiMaggio to be the greatest player he ever saw. Moments of individual brilliance win pennants and championships and you can't measure that with statistics alone.

[@clipz7561]

Zebra Wood finally someone with good baseball knowledge

[@barryoderfer]

Zebra Wood...DiMaggio always had a better team than Williams...If you take the team concept out of the equation when comparing DiMaggio to Williams, Williams is much better. Just look at the stats.

[@gracedagostino5231]

@@barryoderfer You can not assume just to put Ted Williams on the Yankees, that he would have won all those World Series that DiMaggio did. The one World Series Williams played in, he was horrible, when the pressure was on him. Joe was a winner!

[@goated7024]

Mays

[@superdopehiphop]

Williams said Mantle was the best player he ever saw.

[@tomitstube]

some people just like to be alone. joe had lived a life anyone would want, a great and revered sports hero, married a legendary movie star... maybe he just thought the rest was gravy, he just wanted to be left alone to enjoy his memories. and the guy who called marilyn a "flake..." she had a rough upbringing, had mental issues that ran in her family, an orphan, married as a minor... joe was never going to tame marilyn, no man was. what's interesting is how so many great ball players were considered difficult people, cobb, hornsby, rose, albert belle, gibson, maris, denny mclain, it's a long list, but they all knew to be the best you had to sacrifice other parts of your life, being the best you can be takes enormous amounts of will and dedication.

[@stripervince1]

Sorry, he lived a life no one would want. Very lonely, kept to himself, failed marriages, barely knew his son, few friends. Was only somewhat fan friendly because he had to be

[@meharhassanadvocate12]

Very good and informative 👌

[@toddinthemiddle]

i happened to stumble upon his baseball stats today, and they are just mind boggling. 3 time mvp 13 all star appearances in 13 seasons 9 world series championships never once struck out as many as 40 times in a season (WOW!!), and only once did he strike out more than walk in a season hit at least .300 in 11 seasons well over 100 rbi's 9 times, and 4 times had more rbi's than games played in a season. darn shame that he lost 3 seasons due to ww2.

[@MikeyD22]

Good points and in 1941, the year of the 56 game hitting streak, with 622 plate appearances, he stuck out only 13 times! Unbelievable!

[@MyUserTubeAccount]

@@MikeyD22 holy crap!

[@baronvonnembles]

"He was a man who got older faster than a lot of people". That is a great line. Genetics are a thing.

[@raymondbelarista866]

The Greatest!

[@gypdarin1458]

#22 vs #37 Mantle... What sacrilege.

[@billbergendahl2629]

He was married before Marilyn Monroe to a woman named Dorothy Arnold. There is a video on KZbin of Joe Dimaggio's appearance on 'What's My Line' in the 1950s.

[@tonypatricelli8408]

The sportscentury segments by Dan Patrick are my favorite

[@dg8994]

I understand this giant of a man much better after this video. Thank you I was an athlete in my younger days, a boxer, and football player. Never in the same way Joe was but I too felt most of my “talent” came from this deep seated fear of looking bad. I think that drove me more than anything. Sad but true.

[@cshubs]

Y'all should check out an Antiques Roadshow clip of Joe Dimaggio's bat. Someone had brought in a signed bat he bought at auction. It was awesome... and worth a lot.

[@hhluvzmagik]

Rumor has it that at the time that Marilyn died, she and Joe were set to remarry and all of the available evidence indicates that that was true. That the two truly couldn't be apart and Joe and Marilyn were the love of each other's lives.

[@preciousthing101]

Leslie Olson i don’t think he was Marilyn’s love of her life. She was messing with the Kennedy’s at the time. I definitely think she was the love of HIS life though.

[@user-ls8pu6kh6k]

史上最高の守備力、世界一美しい打撃フォームの伝説プレイヤー。

[@bryandelatorre2732]

One of the best to play the game. 👍🏻 🇺🇲

[@clipz7561]

Favorite ball player of all time and I’m 25

[@TRRyan]

We think a marriage between Joe DiMaggio and Marilyn Monroe is perfection, but despite their enormous fame they were two lonely people who couldn't really help each other

[@cspike9061]

idk. if marilyn wasn't a sex symbol joe wouldn't have been so upset. she might've still gotten into trouble but... eh it's all speculation. they were about to get back together. maybe the 2nd time would've been the charm.

[@richdemetrops4200]

I have seen footage of dimaggio and williams saying long after mays had retired that mays was the greatest all around ballplayer ever.

[@mikebrody6985]

The Yankee clipper was a wop. Amen. Every kid at that time ESP the Italian boys ALL ALL WANTED TO BE JOEY D. RIP JOEY D WE STILL LOVE YOU MAN.

[@AwesomeBeatles]

One of the good guys.

[@dnasty312]

Why can't Joe DiMaggio have a doughnut like everybody else? 🍩☕ 14:42 Gump

[@christianperez7846]

I’m a Giants fan. Born and raised in Daly City, a hop and skip away from Candlestick, I love the game. I also hate the Yankees. I’d do that for years. Agree with my peers that the Yankees are somehow a criminal success. Deny something special because the Polo Grounds held stage for a fraction of great history. And it just so happened to be in a distant place, 3000 miles from the bay, in commune with Old Yankee Stadium. The inability to maintain disdain for something 3k miles away is suspect, at best. Joe DiMaggio is my favorite player of all time. Willie Mays is the best, but Joe is my favorite . Weird...

[@browningautomatic2393]

GOOD DOCUMENTARY ! FRIDAY 7/14/23 JULY 14, 2023

[@bertmustin]

Forgot to mention the time he let Mickey Mantle step onto a sprinkler system in the outfield and mess up his knee.

[@r.crompton2286]

The sprinkler system was always there. Joe probably stepped on it several times over his career. Mantle didn't just ""step" on it -- he hammered it running all out while chasing a fly ball and the rest is history. Just a freak accident.

[@gracedagostino5231]

You are an idiot! "He let Mantle step on the sprinkler" What kind of shit is that! That sprinkler had been there for years, Joe had stepped on it several times. It was a freak accident that Mantle messed up his knee!

[@chrisfritz3605]

He had no idea that was going to happen.

[@chrisfritz3605]

@@r.crompton2286 Exactly.

[@thebatmanwhoposts9600]

#5

[@MrAitraining]

Was hoping Bob Costas wasn't in this TOO

[@dougnewman3935]

He had tremendous power, Bill James said as a right handed in old Yankee Stadium he was penalized more in HR production than any other great player. 2/3 of his HR’s were on the road. And he lost 3 prime years to WW2. In today’s game he would have hit closer to 600 HR’s…and he only struck out 300 times in his career. Amazing bat control. His fielding i’ve been told by my father and others was otherworldly - something different about him than any other ballplayer - always glided and made it look easy despite covering huge old Yankee Stadium field. JoeD was thought of as greatest ballplayer by everyone who saw and knew him. His stock has fallen with the sabermatricians, but to me i take the testimony of all who saw him. As good as anyone.

[@stevenyourke7901]

When Joe and Marilyn divorced, some wit remarked, “It only goes to prove that no man can be success in two national pastimes”.

[@WO2411]

His hit streak is crazy, i wonder if it will ever be broken

[@josephlinnell9855]

What they don't mention is the streak was stopped by Cleveland 's 3rd baseman (cant recall his name )on not 1 but 2 line drive shots down the line. DiMaggio then with next game started a 23 game hit streak. So he hit in 79 of 80 games.

[@WO2411]

@@josephlinnell9855 that’s crazy

[@bp4187]

Teammates of Joe D often point out that he made them better players and champions, even if he wasn't the 'buddy' type. Williams didn't do that even though he frequently played with the apparently stronger Red Sox during the same years.

[@ronjames6128]

I don't care how great an athlete is, the special treatment is absolutely ridiculous

[@theunknown4570]

The dude played Center-field for the Yankees. And he married Marilyn? wow. i hate him

[@jonathanapple4828]

MANCHESTER UNITED and? Soccer is more popular yippee. People can still like baseball.

[@TheBatugan77]

@MANCHESTER UNITED F.C Fuc soccer

[@allenedwall3835]

@MANCHESTER UNITED F.C Boring.

[@tonypatricelli8408]

That ain't easy

[@theunknown4570]

Soccer is for people that can't afford baseball equipment

[@mikehlavac4249]

? One of the greatest ever play the game

[@beaudare4717]

Modern day baseball could take a lesson from Joe.. Power and grace on the field..

[@xxxYYZxxx]

Joe DiMaggio's swing @9:54 has a fluidity normally seen only with certain lefty hitters. I'd like to see a reversed image of Joe's swing compared to lefties like Ted Williams, Griffey Jr., Bonds, ect.

[@yomik7013]

he dunks like he hits

[@nickpaine]

Joe was a great ballplayer. That much is undeniable. But his aloof attitude and image obsession did not endear him to those he knew. He was too arrogant for many.

[@13thmistral]

joe dimaggio, Joe mccarthy richard nixon studebaker

[@rowdyrx6109]

True gentleman, true Yankee, awesome!

[@heidiengellenner9651]

Truth: in Isadore several expert baseball players have asked Joe if he dated Norma Jean? He always says "a few people have asked that, I don't remember who she is". Joes memory was deleted of Norma Jean. If Norma Jean is asked about Joe she says "before Lucifer, I dated many men". Simple, harmony.

[@ggeorge4144]

He was so great at center field he did not get as much credit as he deserved. He never had to dive or make what appeared to be spectacular plays because he studied all the hitters and was positioned to make the play as easy as possible, plus he was incredibly fast. They did not call him the Yankee Clipper for nothing. Back in the day they sad he made the most difficult plays look easy.

[@birch5757]

That look when the reporter asked him about the snagged homerun. The exact same look Westbrook gives when asked a leading and goading question. Just like "do you really have to ask how pissed off I am?"

[@73Trident]

I like Joe D but no way was he ever better than the Mick.

[@cspike9061]

no likes dude.

[@jacob45415]

Agreed

[@k3llybird]

icon.

[@rr7firefly]

Charles Lindbergh was, like DiMaggio, a very private man. Both men left school early in order to pursue their dreams. Both of them were heroes with enormous integrity who did not promote themselves falsely. In that respect they'd be considered exceptional in today's world where many people advance themselves shamelessly, often without justification.

[@barryoderfer]

Just for baseball reference, Sports Century names DiMaggio #22 greatest, and, Gehrig #34, Mantle at #37, Musial at #61...Not right.

[@koralmcblack7381]

“For two months he had a hit everyday” #Jmaggio #Icon #522

[@gordobrigadainviernoel8216]

Recently heard about the 'trade that never happened' between this guy and ted williams; omg what could have been if they had been traded for each other. I'm sure the yankees are satisfied it never happened.

[@MrAitraining]

Joe would have hit 50 Hr's a yr in Fenway. But I think he'd rather keep his 9 world series titles :)

[@747heavyboeing3]

Only 360 career strikes. Many players today get that in two years.

[@SPARKSBETS]

Pitchers have evolved a whole lot since as well

[@ChrisP-in8qr]

@@SPARKSBETS so have drugs, the guy was discplined at the plate.

[@AGUSSALIM.26]

Laughing outside crying down below

[@johncastaldo7861]

The worst thing about him,is that he had to play in the old stadium.God.only knows, what stats he would have had.The man was really a five tool player.

[@user-br2zz7nn5u]

Steve Martin "Roxanne"......

[@biggie4967]

What were the Red Sox doing? We had Ted Williams!!! Did the red sox have no pitching?

[@heidiengellenner9651]

Joe- he does have "Love Mary" in his soul creation. Izzy- Norma Jean's soul creation is Lucifers soul match. The feelings that he had for Izzy were even greater as he had a family relation.

[@syourke3]

He once beat Marylin so bad she had to be hospitalized. He had a son with his first wife but he never had any contact with him and he left him nothing in his will. The son died an alcoholic.

[@TheBatugan77]

So what's your point?

[@yogirlhaylee2975]

TheBatugan77 lmfaoo

[@syourke3]

@@TheBatugan77 The point is that he wasn’t the gentleman portrayed by the media. He was aloof, vain, lonely, self-centered, cold, laconic.

[@felixtendorf4206]

None of what your implying is even true, stop spreading lies about two decent people… there’s enough of them already!

[@felixtendorf4206]

@@syourke3 You must really hate this guy to come up with these lies man, get a grip🤣

[@ThatBaseballGuy13]

“Americas sex goddess” Okaaay wasn’t expecting that said in a Joe D. Video 😶

[@pewdsthrowaway1303]

Joe DiMaggio

[@SeamHead33]

hardly any baseball talk , mostly personal relationship talk. ESPN sucks

[@chrisa3289]

Shouldn't be higher than Gerhig but great player for sure

[@hammah6750]

Imagine be related to him. Couldn’t be me

[@begthediffer]

This dude couldn't even sniff Barry Bonds' jockstrap

[@ChrisP-in8qr]

you mean the needles that Bonds enhanced himself with

[@bryandelatorre2732]

👍🏻 🇮🇹

[@billbergendahl2911]

Didn't Joe DiMaggio sue Simon and Garfunkel over the line "where have you gone Joe DiMaggio"?

[@joedeangelis8322]

No.

[@felixtendorf4206]

He definitely didn’t, he debunked the whole theory that he genuinely dislike the song from the beginning in his biography “Dinner with DiMaggio”.

[@kaposipal]

re di maggio...

[@nicholeandalby]

"Marilynmonroe was too much a flake for that"? Oh you mean too talented and too famous and more popular?

[@rafaelalamo6407]

Anytime I see Sports century videos less than a half hour, you know it's bullshit with commercials, terrible audio and worse video. Nope!!

[@raymondfrankwick6965]

Thrice Marilyn Monroe wed. I'm Betsy's fourth. Cynthia is fifth, baby of the family born "APRIL FOOLS!"---day 1959. Marilyn Monroe sold Royal Triton, 1950, by very fondly nicknaming it, her very first car, CYNTHIA!

[@johnstrausbaugh3472]

After all the smoke n mirrors I would still take Jeter. Number 2 is the only NY jersey I will ever own

[@cspike9061]

dude no offense, from a fellow yankee fan, you're smoking crack. jeter never had a high average. jeter never had the power. nobody ever called jeter the greatest short stop, never mind the greatest player. and everyone forgets that dimaggio hit into death valley. who's gonna hit a 460 ft HR? they don't even do that in HR derbies at the all-star game. some of the greatest ballplayers that ever lived said that dimaggio was the greatest player they ever saw, including mickey mantle & ted williams. jeter had longevity and consistency. i wanted him to keep playing and shoot for rose's record. i saw him hit an opposite field upper deck HR at the Stadium. i saw him make great plays at short and come up big in the playoffs. not saying he's not a great player. but even jeter's dad didn't put him in the same category as the yankee legends.

[@clghost3294]

As great as Jeter was he still ranks lower than 4th best Yank and that shows you how great our Yanks have been

[@clghost3294]

@@cspike9061 not to mention losing time to ww2

[@jamesjohnson-nw6iv]

LIBRARY OF CONGRESS TM

[@Nestor123057]

He was Willie Mays' idol and copied Joe's game, especially his grace in the outfield. Nuff said.

[@MIKIEEYEZ1975]

No disrespect to Joe… since 1940 Mays is the BEST ALL AROUND PLAYER!! It’s not even close between Mays & Joe D!! Griffey, Jr, Aaron, Bonds & a healthy Mick were better all around players than Joe!!

[@ChrisP-in8qr]

Healthy Mick yes, but put Mays in Yankee stadium and he dosent put up those big numbers

[@davidharrison3711]

Joe DiMaggio was the Frank Sinatra of baseball.

[@andyjones7514]

Joe Dimaggio was named the greatest living player in 1969 the 100th anniversary of baseball. But it should have gone to Willie Mays. He was a true 5 tool player and if were going to be honest he did everything better than Dimaggio. And he's still the greatest living player. At the end of the century he was the 2nd greatest player of all time. Dimaggio was 15th.

[@robertsims6931]

I don't care what anyone say Joe was the most overrated player in baseball.

[@jamie49868]

Amen! HOF for sure, but not as good as people think, and by all accounts, a giant pirck.

[@ChrisP-in8qr]

and you would be in the minority my friend

[@ryanm9628]

DiMaggio and Mantle were great ball players. Sadly, they were Single A fathers. I have respect for their athletic ability, but not their personality traits. One should be measured not on how many home runs they hit, but how they treat others and their respective family.

[@ChrisP-in8qr]

true, but I hear Joe Jr had a history of alcohol and drug abuse.

[@orlandorizzo5780]

Andrew TATE would of broken all of this MESS! Let her demons stay with her get away!

[@billybergendahl3515]

I cannot respect someone who beats a woman.

[@TheBatugan77]

Go beat meat.

[@felixtendorf4206]

There’s no credible evidence that suggests he ever did that though…

[@stripervince1]

My least favorite Yankee. He was a strange bird. Yeah great player but not my fav. Relatively short career.

[@1967tuncay]

who was number 1 ? MUHAMMAD ALI?????

[@patrickgray5633]

No he was #3 Babe Ruth #2 & Jordan #1 just more kissing MJ butt.

[@1967tuncay]

@@patrickgray5633 thanks

[@cspike9061]

@@patrickgray5633 gretzky's better than jordan. (jordan should've never left the NBA.) gretzky was like if if someone hit .400 every year and 1000 HR and shattered every other hitting record in the books. no i'm not canadian lol