When asked why he didn't show any negative emotions on the field, he said, "It wouldn't look right." - Joe DiMaggio

TRADING A CAP FOR A HELMET

From 1892 to 1931, over two and a half million Italians left their country, their families, and their possessions, hoping to build a better life in America. The Italians were not only the largest group to emigrate to the United States, but no sport in America attracted more Italian American athletes than baseball. Arriving in San Francisco, California in 1902 was an Italian fisherman named Gieuseppe DiMaggio, with his wife, Rosalia. Twelve years later, Joseph Paul DiMaggio became the fourth son of nine DiMaggio children.

The DiMaggio boys were expected to follow their father in the fishing business. However, Joe disliked the smelly work so much that he would often sneak off to a sandlot with a broken oar for a bat and play baseball. Disappointed in his son's lack of interest in the family business, Gieuseppe was no longer saying, "No money in Bacuall," when Joe returned from his first year with the New York Yankees. Later, he would be cheering, "Baseball, that's the game!" as Dominic and Vincent joined their famous brother in the Major Leagues. However, joy in the DiMaggio family would take a dramatic turn as two hours of horror changed not only baseball, but America forever.

On a beautiful Sunday morning as servicemen were attending church or doing their duties, The U.S.S. Arizona exploded into two pieces, sending 1,000 servicemen to the bottom of the ocean. The surprise attack by the Japanese on the naval station at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii killed 2,400 servicemen and civilians, left 1,300 wounded, and 1,000 missing. The United States entered WWII the following day as President Franklin D. Roosevelt's words were heard over radios across America. "December 7, 1941, a date which will live in infamy."

Baseball was hit the hardest, as 4,000 of the 5,700 players in the Major and Minor Leagues enlisted in the military. Among those players who chose to trade their caps for a helmet were Vincent, Dominic and Joe DiMaggio.

While "DiMag" was raising the soldier's spirits, teams contributed their proceeds to buy baseball equipment for the soldiers, and games were being broadcast by short wave radio to the troops in the field. Complying with blackout orders for security reasons, "The Great American Pastime" was now played in the afternoons. For the next four years, it would be called by some as "The night the lights went out at Yankee Stadium."

Please join me as we continue The American Journey and may God bless you with hope, health and happiness. Dodie

In everything set them an example by doing what is good. Titus 2:7
dodie@theamericanjourney.com

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