Posted on 05/01/2009 7:34:01 AM PDT by Homer_J_Simpson
Ruth vs. DiMaggio ping, as Joltin’ Joe is hospitalized.
Random baseball notes:
The Tigers 3-4 lineup combination of Gehringer & Greenberg powered them for a decade.
DiMaggio the “Ruth of Tomorrow?” The only things Joltin’ Joe and the Bambino have in common is that they both wore pinstripes and both are in the Hall of Fame. Otherwise they had totally different styles of play.
Also, Joe DiMaggio came to the Yankees after he’d played several seasons in the Pacific Coast League (San Fran Seals, I think). He posted great numbers in New York, but is career totals would have been even better if he hadn’t made a stop in the PCL. Kind of like Ichiro’s time in Japan kept him from 3000 hits in the majors.
Ruth was the first true American sports superstar, without a doubt. Even though he is retired, he is mentioned three articles here. He even gets mentioned in a boxing article! Because Ruth had a monopoly on superstardom in his day, I doubt anyone will ever surpass him in name recognition in their day. Not even Michael Jordan.
No stories about Ted Williams yet? It’s still early.
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