Dom DiMaggio – The Little Professor
1917-2009
Dominic Paul DiMaggio, former center fielder who played his entire career for the Boston Red Sox from 1940-1953, died on May 8, 2009. His brother Joe DiMaggio was the star of the New York Yankees. Another brother,Vince DiMaggio played for five MBL teams.
The youngest of nine children, born to Sicilian immigrants, Dom’s small stature of just 5’9″ and his distinctive eye glasses earned him the nickname “The Little Professor”.
A popular statement about the DiMaggio brothers was: “Joe is the best hitter, Dom is the best fielder, and Vince is the best singer.” Boston fans also liked to sing a ditty for their favorite player that included the words “Who hits the ball and makes it go? Who run the bases fast, not slow? Who’s better than his brother Joe? Dominic DiMaggio…”
Dom DiMaggio was inducted into the Boston Red Sox Hall of Fame in 1995. He is survived by his wife Emily, three children and several grandchildren.
Check out a photo of Dom and Joe before a Yankee-Boston game with Ted Williams.