Joe DiMaggio Timeline

(November 25, 1914 – March 8, 1999)

Joe DiMaggio (1914–1999), known as 'Joltin' Joe' and 'The Yankee Clipper,' was an American baseball legend who spent his entire 13-year Major League career as a center fielder for the New York Yankees. A three-time MVP and 13-time All-Star, he led the Yankees to nine World Series championships and set a still-unbroken record with his 56-game hitting streak in 1941. He also gained fame through his brief marriage to actress Marilyn Monroe. More Less

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Early Life and Minor Leagues

Born in Martinez, California

Nov 25, 1914

Giuseppe Paolo DiMaggio was born on November 25, 1914, in Martinez, California, the eighth of nine children born to Italian immigrants Giuseppe and Rosalia DiMaggio. He would grow up to become one of the greatest baseball players of all time.

Image source: Joe DiMaggio

Plays semi-pro baseball

Jan 1, 1931

By 1931, the teenage DiMaggio was playing semi-professional baseball in California, developing the skills that would soon carry him to professional ranks.

Joins San Francisco Seals at Vince's urging

Sep 1, 1932

Nearing the end of the 1932 season, his brother Vince, playing for the San Francisco Seals of the Pacific Coast League (PCL), talked his manager into letting Joe fill in at shortstop.

Image source: San Francisco Seals (PCL)

Makes professional debut with Seals

Oct 1, 1932

DiMaggio made his professional debut on October 1, 1932, playing the last three games of the season for the Seals.

Hits safely in 61 consecutive games

May 27, 1933 - Jul 25, 1933

In his full rookie year, DiMaggio hit safely in 61 consecutive games from May 27 to July 25, 1933, a PCL record and the second-longest streak in Minor League Baseball history.

Suffers knee injury stepping out of a jitney

Jan 1, 1934

In 1934, DiMaggio suffered a potentially career-threatening knee injury when he tore ligaments in his right knee while stepping out of a jitney.

Yankees purchase his contract for $50,000

Jan 1, 1935

After he passed a physical, the New York Yankees bought him for $50,000 and five players, with the Seals keeping him for the 1935 season.

Image source: New York Yankees

Wins PCL championship and MVP award

Jan 1, 1935

The Seals won the 1935 PCL title, and DiMaggio was named the league's Most Valuable Player before joining the Yankees.

Major League Career

Major League debut with Yankees

May 3, 1936

DiMaggio made his Major League debut on May 3, 1936, batting ahead of Lou Gehrig in the Yankees lineup. He set a franchise rookie record by hitting 29 home runs that year.

Wins first four World Series titles

Oct 1, 1936 - Oct 10, 1939

The Yankees had not been to the World Series since 1932, but after DiMaggio arrived they won the next four World Series, from 1936 through 1939.

Leads majors with career-high numbers

Jan 1, 1937

In 1937, DiMaggio built upon his rookie season by leading the majors with 46 home runs, 151 runs scored, 167 runs batted in and 418 total bases, all career highs.

Nicknamed "The Yankee Clipper"

Jan 1, 1939

In 1939, DiMaggio was nicknamed "the Yankee Clipper" by Yankees play-by-play announcer Arch McDonald, who likened his speed and range in the outfield to the then-new Pan American airliner.

Sets single-month RBI record

Aug 1, 1939

That August, DiMaggio recorded 53 RBIs, tying Hack Wilson's 1930 record for most RBIs in a single month.

56-game hitting streak begins

May 15, 1941

DiMaggio's MLB-record 56-game hitting streak began on May 15, 1941, when he went one-for-four against Chicago White Sox pitcher Eddie Smith, a couple of weeks before the death of former teammate Lou Gehrig.

Image source: Hitting streak

Ties George Sisler's hitting streak mark

Jun 29, 1941

On June 29, 1941, DiMaggio doubled against the Washington Senators to tie George Sisler's record, then singled in the nightcap to extend his streak to 42 games.

Ties Wee Willie Keeler's all-time record

Jul 1, 1941

A Yankee Stadium crowd of 52,832 fans watched DiMaggio tie the all-time modern-era hitting streak record of 44 games, held by Wee Willie Keeler since 1897.

56-game hitting streak ends

Jul 16, 1941

The streak ended on July 16, 1941, after a record 56 consecutive games with a hit — a mark no one has come close to matching; Pete Rose hit safely in only 44 straight games in 1978.

Graces first cover of SPORT magazine

Sep 1, 1946

DiMaggio was pictured with his son on the cover of the inaugural issue of SPORT magazine in September 1946.

Wins third MVP and sixth World Series

Jan 1, 1947

In 1947, DiMaggio won his third MVP award and his sixth World Series with the Yankees, despite Al Gionfriddo's famous catch robbing him in the Series.

Signs $100,000 contract

Feb 7, 1949

On February 7, 1949, DiMaggio signed a contract worth $100,000 ($70,000 plus bonuses), becoming the first baseball player to break $100,000 in earnings.

Announces retirement at age 37

Dec 11, 1951

After a poor 1951 season, various injuries, and a leaked scouting report, DiMaggio announced his retirement on December 11, 1951, ranking fifth all-time in home runs (361) and sixth in slugging percentage (.579).

Personal Life

Meets actress Dorothy Arnold

Jan 1, 1937

In January 1937, DiMaggio met actress Dorothy Arnold on the set of Manhattan Merry-Go-Round, in which he had a minor role and she was an extra.

Announces engagement to Dorothy Arnold

Apr 25, 1939

DiMaggio announced his engagement to Dorothy Arnold on April 25, 1939, just before the Yankees were to meet the Philadelphia Athletics.

Image source: Disappearance of Dorothy Arnold

Marries Dorothy Arnold in San Francisco

Nov 19, 1939

They married at Saints Peter and Paul Church in San Francisco on November 19, 1939, as 20,000 well-wishers jammed the streets.

Son Joe Jr. is born

Jan 1, 1941

DiMaggio's son Joseph Paul DiMaggio III was born in 1941 at Doctors' Hospital in Staten Island; he lived until 1999.

Divorces Dorothy Arnold

Jan 1, 1944

The couple divorced in 1944, while DiMaggio was on leave from the Yankees during World War II.

Elopes with Marilyn Monroe

Jan 14, 1954

After dating for two years, DiMaggio and Marilyn Monroe eloped at San Francisco City Hall on January 14, 1954, following his retirement from baseball.

Image source: Marilyn Monroe

Monroe files for divorce

Oct 1, 1954

After a violent fight following the filming of The Seven Year Itch skirt scene, Monroe filed for divorce from DiMaggio in October 1954 after only nine months of marriage.

Secures Monroe's release from psychiatric clinic

Feb 10, 1961

On February 10, 1961, DiMaggio secured Marilyn Monroe's release from Payne Whitney Psychiatric Clinic in Manhattan, showing their enduring friendship.

World War II Service

Enlists in Army Air Forces

Feb 17, 1943

DiMaggio enlisted in the United States Army Air Forces on February 17, 1943, rising to the rank of Staff Sergeant. His service caused him to miss the 1943, 1944, and 1945 seasons, likely costing him 500 home runs and 2,000 RBIs.

Image source: United States Army Air Forces

Medical discharge from military

Sep 1, 1945

DiMaggio was released on a medical discharge in September 1945 due to chronic stomach ulcers, allowing him to return to baseball.

Post-Baseball and Legacy

Inducted into Baseball Hall of Fame

Jan 1, 1955

Eligible beginning in 1953, DiMaggio was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1955, cementing his status as one of the game's all-time greats.

Image source: National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum

Joins Oakland Athletics as vice president

Jan 1, 1968 - Dec 31, 1969

After being out of baseball, DiMaggio joined the newly relocated Oakland Athletics as a vice president in 1968 and 1969, coaching in 1968 and helping develop Reggie Jackson, Sal Bando, and Joe Rudi, nucleus of the team's 1972–74 World Series champions.

Image source: Oakland Athletics

Voted sport's greatest living player

Jan 1, 1969

During baseball's centennial year of 1969, DiMaggio was voted the sport's greatest living player in a poll.

Becomes Bowery Savings Bank spokesman

Jan 1, 1972 - Dec 31, 1992

In 1972, DiMaggio became a spokesman for the Bowery Savings Bank, making commercials regularly until 1992 except for a five-year hiatus in the 1980s.

Spokesperson for Cross Keys Village

Jan 1, 1986

In 1986, DiMaggio became a spokesperson for Florida's Cross Keys Village, an active retirement community.

Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital opens

Sep 17, 1992

On September 17, 1992, the doors opened at Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital in Hollywood, Florida, for which he had raised over $4 million.

Receives Sports Legend Award

Apr 13, 1998

On April 13, 1998, DiMaggio was given the Sports Legend Award at the 13th annual American Sportscasters Association Hall of Fame Awards Dinner in New York City.

Lung cancer surgery in Hollywood, Florida

Oct 12, 1998 - Jan 18, 1999

DiMaggio was admitted to Memorial Regional Hospital in Hollywood, Florida, on October 12, 1998, for lung cancer surgery and remained there for 99 days, returning home on January 19, 1999.

Dies at age 84

Mar 8, 1999

DiMaggio died at his home in Hollywood, Florida, on March 8, 1999, at age 84. His funeral was held March 11 at Saints Peter and Paul Church in San Francisco, where he married Dorothy Arnold six decades earlier.

Key Facts

Joe DiMaggio was born on November 25, 1914, in Martinez, California, the son of Italian immigrant fishermen.
He played his entire 13-year Major League career (1936–1951) for the New York Yankees, never playing a minor league game after joining the team.
In 1941, DiMaggio set a Major League Baseball record with a 56-game hitting streak, a feat widely considered one of the greatest records in sports history that remains unbroken today.
DiMaggio won three American League MVP awards (1939, 1941, 1947) and helped lead the Yankees to nine World Series championships.
His career was interrupted by three years of military service during World War II (1943–1945), yet he was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1955.

Source

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