The DiMaggio's

THE DiMAGGIOS' THREE BROTHERS, THEIR PASSION FOR BASEBALL, THEIR PURSUIT OF THE AMERICAN DREAM                                                         
TOM CLAVIN
Posted: June 19, 2013

The untold Great American Story of three brothers—Joltin' Joe, Dom, and Vince DiMaggio—and the Great American Game, baseball, that would consume their lives

More than 350 sets of brothers have played in the major leagues since the 1870s. But few have had the skill, the charisma, or the success of the DiMaggio brothers. Joe DiMaggio, "The Yankee Clipper," is an American icon and one of the greatest athletes of the twentieth century. Even his chief rival, Ted Williams, called him the greatest all-around player he ever saw.

But two of Joe's brothers, also center fielders, were dynamic players in their own right. Dominic, affectionately known as "The Little Professor," was a seven-time All-Star who played for the Boston Red Sox from 1940 through 1953. He hit better than .300 five times in his career, finished with a .298 average, and like his big brother, rarely struck out. And Vince DiMaggio, the eldest, made two All-Star teams and in 1941 smacked 21 home runs and drove in 100 RBIs while playing for the Pittsburgh Pirates.

In The DiMaggio's, journalist Tom Clavin draws on a wealth of source materials, interviews with family members and teammates, and in-depth reporting to reveal how three kids from an immigrant family of eleven found their way to the upper echelons of American sports and popular culture. A vivid portrait of a family and the ways in which their shifting fortunes and status shaped their relationships, it is also a transporting exploration of an era and a culture, using baseball as a lens to view and understand American society in the twentieth century.

HUBBY'S REVIEW:

This book was more than just a baseball book. Really a story of many different families who came to America and wanted better for there children. Then they go off and play a silly game called baseball. Everyone knows about Joe D. True baseball followers even know about his little brother Dominic, who played for the Red Sox. I did not know about an older brother named Vince, who really was the one that paved the way for his to younger brothers to play the sport. I don't think Joe D. Would have faced his father if Vince didn't bring home a check that was more money than the father earned in a year. You will get a much truer history of the DiMaggio's story. You will also get a history of minor league baseball, West coast style. From the Seals, Angels, Hollywood Stars, Oakland Oaks and he talks about some other teams as well. This is in a way a sad story not just how Joe's life turned out but also Vince. Dominic I new played for the Red Sox, also new he was a good outfielder. Did not now that he was such a good lead off hitter and I do think he has the numbers to be in the Hall Of Fame, for a ten year span he was tops in hits, runs scored, on base per. Just was over shadow by his older brother playing for the Yankees and winning championships. A very good baseball book.