Word: dimag
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Dates: during 1940-1949
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...ordinary day such aches & pains would have put Centerfielder DiMaggio out of the lineup. But no day last week was an ordinary one in the American League. The Yankees were fighting for survival in the hottest pennant race in history, and they needed DiMag...
Williams, who does pushups every morning to strengthen his wrists and forearm muscles, DiMag frowns on off-the-field exercise, likes to loll in bed until 10 a.m. or later. He is also fond of his food: "I don't diet. I believe in three square meals a day and I'm not ashamed to say I'm nuts about spaghetti...
...first year with the Yankees. Cobb told him that a good outfielder was crazy to spend 15 minutes a day shagging fly balls once he got in shape: "Don't spend your hitting energy chasing flies. Grab a few and then sit down in a cool, shady spot." DiMag has been conserving his energy ever since. He even seems to conserve it on the playing field...
...Difference. The fans, however, don't think of DiMag as a fielder. They come to see him knock one out of the park. Whether at Yankee Stadium or on the road, a reverent roar greets him as he strides to the plate. Joe tells himself that the pitchers should be more worried than he is, and they usually are. He is a cool, relaxed figure, his bat held high and motionless, as he waits for the ball to zip in from the pitcher's box, 60 ft. away, at something like 91 m.p.h...
Said beaver-toothed Joe DiMaggio, with a grin: "Seems like it's the first time I've ever been ready for an opening game." No gimpy shoulder, no ulcer complaints, no bad heel troubled him this year: he felt good. If DiMag was ready, so were the New York Yankees. They were co-favorites-along with the Boston Red Sox-to win the American League pennant...