07-05-2002, 11:46 PM
Uhhhhh...
I think you have Mantle and DiMaggio confused.
Mantle was the prick when he played, and he continued to be a prick after his career was finished. This was the guy, no matter how great of a player he was, still continued to drink heavily after being illegally bumped up a liver donor list.
I felt really bad when Mantle died, but there was a difference between Mantle dying and DiMaggio died.
DiMaggio was THE MAN. He played hard, he loved hard, he was an all-around class act. As for serving his country, DiMaggio gave three years - in his prime - to the army during WW2.
The very fact that he still sent roses to Marilyn's grave even after she broke his heart is one of my favor anecdotes of baseball lore.
I think you have Mantle and DiMaggio confused.
Mantle was the prick when he played, and he continued to be a prick after his career was finished. This was the guy, no matter how great of a player he was, still continued to drink heavily after being illegally bumped up a liver donor list.
I felt really bad when Mantle died, but there was a difference between Mantle dying and DiMaggio died.
DiMaggio was THE MAN. He played hard, he loved hard, he was an all-around class act. As for serving his country, DiMaggio gave three years - in his prime - to the army during WW2.
The very fact that he still sent roses to Marilyn's grave even after she broke his heart is one of my favor anecdotes of baseball lore.