Vince DiMaggio
Encyclopedia
Vincent Paul "Vince" DiMaggio (September 6, 1912 - October 3, 1986) was a Major League Baseball
center fielder
. During a 10-year baseball career, he played for the Boston Bees
(1937–1938), Cincinnati Reds
(1939–1940), Pittsburgh Pirates
(1940–1945), Philadelphia Phillies
(1945–1946), and New York Giants (now San Francisco Giants
) (1946). Vince was the older brother of Joe
and Dom
DiMaggio.
DiMaggio, who was born in Martinez, California
, was a fine outfielder and a smart baserunner. He hit 21 home run
s with 100 RBI
for the Pirates in 1941, and led National League center fielders in assists three times and putout
s twice. He ranked among the National League's top ten home run
hitters six times between 1938 and 1945. However, he also struck out
often, leading the league in strikeouts six times. He set a record (since broken) by fanning 134 times in 1938.
He was a two-time All-Star
selection (1943–44). In the 1944 All-Star
game, DiMaggio hit a home run, triple
and single in three at-bats
. The next year he belted four grand slams
for the Phillies.
In his ten year career, Vince DiMaggio batted
.249 with 125 home runs and 584 RBI in 1110 games. He died in North Hollywood, California at age 74.
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
center fielder
Center fielder
A center fielder, abbreviated CF, is the outfielder in baseball who plays defense in center field – the baseball fielding position between left field and right field...
. During a 10-year baseball career, he played for the Boston Bees
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
(1937–1938), Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
(1939–1940), Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
(1940–1945), Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
(1945–1946), and New York Giants (now San Francisco Giants
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
) (1946). Vince was the older brother of Joe
Joe DiMaggio
Joseph Paul "Joe" DiMaggio , nicknamed "Joltin' Joe" and "The Yankee Clipper," was an American Major League Baseball center fielder who played his entire 13-year career for the New York Yankees. He is perhaps best known for his 56-game hitting streak , a record that still stands...
and Dom
Dom DiMaggio
Dominic Paul DiMaggio , nicknamed "The Little Professor", was a Major League Baseball center fielder. He played his entire 11-year baseball career for the Boston Red Sox...
DiMaggio.
DiMaggio, who was born in Martinez, California
Martinez, California
Martinez is a city and the county seat of Contra Costa County, California, United States. The population was 35,824 at the 2010 census. The downtown is notable for its large number of preserved old buildings...
, was a fine outfielder and a smart baserunner. He hit 21 home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
s with 100 RBI
Run batted in
Runs batted in or RBIs is a statistic used in baseball and softball to credit a batter when the outcome of his at-bat results in a run being scored, except in certain situations such as when an error is made on the play. The first team to track RBI was the Buffalo Bisons.Common nicknames for an RBI...
for the Pirates in 1941, and led National League center fielders in assists three times and putout
Putout
In baseball statistics, a putout is given to a defensive player who records an out by one of the following methods:* Tagging a runner with the ball when he is not touching a base...
s twice. He ranked among the National League's top ten home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
hitters six times between 1938 and 1945. However, he also struck out
Strikeout
In baseball or softball, a strikeout or strike-out occurs when a batter receives three strikes during his time at bat. A strikeout is a statistic recorded for both pitchers and batters....
often, leading the league in strikeouts six times. He set a record (since broken) by fanning 134 times in 1938.
He was a two-time All-Star
Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The Major League Baseball All-Star Game, also known as the "Midsummer Classic", is an annual baseball game between players from the National League and the American League, currently selected by a combination of fans, players, coaches, and managers...
selection (1943–44). In the 1944 All-Star
Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The Major League Baseball All-Star Game, also known as the "Midsummer Classic", is an annual baseball game between players from the National League and the American League, currently selected by a combination of fans, players, coaches, and managers...
game, DiMaggio hit a home run, triple
Triple (baseball)
In baseball, a triple is the act of a batter safely reaching third base after hitting the ball, with neither the benefit of a fielder's misplay nor another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
and single in three at-bats
At bat
In baseball, an at bat or time at bat is used to calculate certain statistics, including batting average, on base percentage, and slugging percentage. It is a more restricted definition of a plate appearance...
. The next year he belted four grand slams
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
for the Phillies.
In his ten year career, Vince DiMaggio batted
Batting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
.249 with 125 home runs and 584 RBI in 1110 games. He died in North Hollywood, California at age 74.
External links
- New York Times obituary, October 4, 1986