Rookie DiMaggio Could Field & Hit
Joe Was A Multi-Dimensional Player Who Had A Great Rookie Year
DiMaggio, whose work afield was sparkling all afternoon, made a spectacular ninth inning throw to home, cutting off the potential game tying run.
Joe DiMaggio was a multi dimensional player who was on his way to a fine rookie season. The Tigers had won the 1935 pennant and were favored to repeat in 1936, but the Yankees set a pattern of winning early in the season, and that pattern continued in an early season two game series against the defending World Champions. A play that DiMaggio made in one of those games in early May exemplifies his extraordinary talents.
A Great Joe DiMaggio Throw
The Yankees were leading the Tigers by one run in the top of ninth inning. With runners on first and third and no outs, the Tigers’ great second baseman, Charlie Gehringer, hit a fly ball to left field. Joe made the catch and then, to quote the New York Times description, "DiMaggio, whose work afield was sparkling all afternoon, made a spectacular ninth inning throw to home," cutting off the potential game tying run. The next batter, Goose Goslin, was retired to give the Yankees the victory.
DiMaggio's First Major League Home Run
A few days later, on the same home stand, the Yankees defeated the victory challenged Philadelphia Athletics, 7.2, which in itself was not noteworthy, but it was a game that became memorable when, in the first inning, Joe DiMaggio hit his first major league home run. After lead off batter Frank Crosetti had been retired, Red Rolfe drew a pass and DiMaggio connected to give the Yankees a 2-0 lead. He also made a spectacular catch in the sixth inning to stave off a Philadelphia rally. The win, coupled with a Red Sox loss to the Senators, put the Yankees in first place by one half game over Boston.
DiMaggio Remained the Yankees' Left Fielder
Ben Chapman soon returned to centerfield for the Yankees, sending his replacement, Myril Hoag, to right, with DiMaggio, who was making at least one outstanding play a game, remaining in left, but Joe would not remain in left field forever. In a game in St. Louis against the Browns, Chapman re-injured his leg. Joe McCarthy moved Myril Hoag from right field back to center and inserted George Selkirk into right field. The next day, Hoag remained in center and DiMaggio in left, as Joe continued his hot hitting with three doubles and a single in five at bats to lead the Yankees to a 6-1 victory.
A Great Start
The Yankees moved on to Chicago where they dropped the first game of a two game set, but in the loss, DiMaggio went 4-5 and ended the day with a .420 batting average. He was off to quite a start and his teammates appreciated him as they proved in game in Cleveland in May 19.
In the top of the ninth, with the Yankees well in control of what would become a 10-4 victory, DiMaggio led off with a single. Lou Gehrig hit a ground ball to second baseman Boze Berger, who flipped the ball to shortstop Bill Knickerbocker for the force out, but Knickerbocker hit DiMaggio and floored him. The entire Yankees’ bench, led by Tony Lazzeri, stormed out of the dugout and raced toward second base. Umpire Steve Basil managed to restore order without any punches being thrown but the Yankees’ players had made their point.
A Huge Crowd Sees DiMaggio's Three Consecutive Doubles
The merry month of May ended on a happy note for DiMaggio and the Yankees. The Washington Senators came to town for a twin bill. A crowd of 71,754 fans, 70,525 of whom paid, saw DiMaggio hit three consecutive doubles in the nightcap and extend his consecutive game hitting streak to thirteen. The Yankees ended the day 3 ½ games ahead of the Red Sox.
References:
- Childs, Kingsley. "Dickey’s Two Homers Defeat Tigers, 6-5; DiMaggio Cuts Off Run; Throw on Fly Catches Fox, Who Strives for Tying Tally in 9th." New York Times. 8 May 1936, p. 27.
- Dawson, James P. "32,000 See Yankees Beat Athletics, 7-2; DiMaggio Drives First Homer and Dickey Clouts Seventh." New York Times. 11 May 1936, p. 23.
- Dawson, James P. "Pearson Registers Fourth Victory on Mound in Beating Browns; Chapman is Forced Out; Leg Ailment Recurs After He Doubles." New York Times. 14 May 1936, p. 31.
- Dawson, James P. "Yankees Score 6*1, Aided by DiMaggio; His Three Doubles and Single Feature 15-Hit Onslaught in Final With Browns." New York Times. 15 May 1936, p. 31.
- Dawson, James P. "White Sox Subdue Yankees by 9 to 7; DiMaggio Makes Four Hits and Boosts Average to .420." New York Times. 16 May 1936, p. 18.
- Dawson, James P. "Two Homers Help Yanks Score, 10-4; Chapman is Banished and Fist Fight is Narrowly Averted." New York Times. 20 May 1936, p. 29.
- Dawson, James P. "Throng Jams Stadium; 10,000 Turned Away as Yanks Rout Senators; DiMaggio Gets Three Straight Doubles." New York Times. 31 May 1936, p. S1
