DiMaggio's Sore Arm & Great Throw
Joe's Tonsils Were Removed in Hopes of Curing His Arm Problem
After signing his 1937 contract, Joe DiMaggio reported for spring training to begin his sophomore season, but the vaunted Yankee outfielder soon discovered that he had a problem. Joe had a sore throwing arm. Dr. Girard Oberrender, Yankees’ owner Colonel Jacob Ruppert’s personal physician, recommended that Joe have his tonsils removed. Dr. Oberrender believed that the operation would remove the cause of the sore arm, but it meant that Joe would miss opening day. In addition, Joe had his teeth X-rayed in an attempt to determine if their condition were in any way responsible for his arm problem. They were not. On April 16, Joe’s tonsils and adenoids were successful removed.
A Good Start and an All-Star Again
Joe DiMaggio made his 1937 season debut in Washington against the Senators on April 30, after missing only 6 games as a successful pinch hitter. He made his first start at Yankee Stadium the next day against Boston and played an excellent game, getting three hits in his first three at bats against veteran Red Sox hurler Rube Walberg as the Yankees prevailed, 3-2. Joe continued to excel and was well on his way improving on his solid rookie season. Once again he was the American League starting right fielder in the all-star game, but this time, he was a hero.
DiMaggio's Key Hit and Great Throw
DiMaggio got only a single in the all-star game, but it preceded Lou Gehrig’s third inning home run off Dizzy Dean that gave the American League a 2-0 lead. With the American League leading 6-2 in the sixth inning, the National Leaguers rallied, scoring one run and putting runners on first and second with two outs. Ripper Collins, a powerful switch hitting first baseman who had played a major role in the Gashouse Gang’s championships, pinch hit and ripped a line drive single to right field. Joe DiMaggio scooped up the ball and in one motion, fired a strike home to nip Burgess Whitehead at the plate, ending the inning and the rally. The throw confirmed the fact that Joe no longer had a sore arm. Did removing his tonsils and adenoids cure the sore arm or did it just heal by itself? Great question.
More Than Statistics Are Needed
The 1937 all-star game illustrates how statistics cannot adequately describe Joe DiMaggio. He had only 1 hit in 4 at bats for a .250 batting average and a 250 OBA. Since the hit was a single, his slugging average was also .250, But the single came with two outs and the bases empty to extend the inning and allow Lou Gehrig to bat. Lou hit the go ahead home run to break a scoreless tie. Defensively, Joe’s great throw snuffed out a rally that could have turned the game around.
Desire and Talent
Billy Martin, who was a teammate of DiMaggio’s and who managed the Yankees so many times that he said "All I know is, I pass people on the street these days, and they don't know whether to say hello or to say goodbye," judged players by their heart and desire as well as by their talent. In a classic video, "The Man. The Myth. The Manager," Martin states that he would rather have a player with less talent who wants to win at any cost over a more talented player with less desire. Joe DiMaggio had the desire. Joe DiMaggio had the talent.
References:
- Drebinger, John. "Three DiMaggio Hits Help Yanks Down Red Sox, 3-2; 34,381 See Ace Get to Work Quickly in 1937 Debut and Figure in 3 Runs." New York Times. 2 May 1937, p. S1.
- Drebinger, John. "Decide to Operate on Joe DiMaggio;Tonsillectomy Is Ordered to Correct Lame Arm." New York Times. 15 April 1937, p. 27.
- Drebinger, John. "Yankees Drive in Seven Runs as American League Easily Wins All-Star Game." New York Times. 8 July 1937, p. 27.
- DiMaggio Examined Again; Teeth X-Rayed for Cause of Sore Arm – Tonsil Operation Today." New York Times. 16 April 1937, p.29.
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