By Chip Schrader
Book Reviewer
Sports Illustrated contributor Kostya Kennedy’s biography of the late great Joe DiMaggio is the latest of many, but takes on a special spin. “56: Joe DiMaggio and the Last Magic Number In Sports” covers the span of the 56-game hitting streak that landed Joe DiMaggio a record that has held for seventy years; a record that is lasting longer than even that of Iron Horse Lou Gehrig’s record of playing 2,160 consecutive games, broken by Cal Ripken.
Yes, DiMaggio is a Yankee, and New England is not known to be Yankee-friendly territory. But, this biography covers his relationship with brother Dom DiMaggio, the legendary Boston center fielder known for his wireframed glasses and ability as a contact hitter. In fact, the early years of the Yankees-Red Sox rivalry is depicted with the crowds’ banter each DiMaggio faced when playing each other. During that season, a bench-clearing brawl the Yankees and Red Sox waged make this a fascinating read for New England fans showing us how old that rivalry really is. Moreover, Joe DiMaggio is an undisputed champion on the field and at the plate, and has earned his place alongside rival Sox legends Jimmie Foxx, Ted Williams, and Babe Ruth (pre-curse Bambino, of course).
While typical sports biographies dig into the personal struggles, tragedies and scandals while doing a play-by-play of each great record or title their subject might hold, Kennedy sticks to one record, and the social context in which this historic record was made.
The racism and social isolation that Italians faced is among the interesting frameworks of this time period. Kennedy delves into acquaintances of DiMaggio and how they were unwittingly linked to the mafia, and even puts in the passing detail of a friend’s daughter’s bulimia. Kennedy’s research is so deep, the reader marvels at how he could ever have found all of these facts and anecdotes. Did Kennedy just bunk with Joe in a past life?
Another major theme is the pending war. At the beginning of DiMaggio’s streak, before it was really even noticed, FDR’s speech at Yankee stadium about the horrors unfolding in Europe hung over the baseball season. Hitting legend Hank Greenburg was already enlisted at this point, and athletes were beginning to get heckled for not following suit.
The writing is as impeccable as the research. Kennedy uses snappy phrases that grow invisible and becomes the natural flow of the book. At a time where biographies are just expanded gossip rags, “56” is a welcome departure from our cynical era.
DiMaggio’s imperfections were touched upon, but the real news was what he achieved that halcyon summer, and the world in which he was doing this. No steroids, no million dollar contracts, and no elevation of athletes to unnecessary heights. DiMaggio was considered too greedy wanting a figure well under $50,000 per season. Hardly the spoiled and pampered superstar of today.
Baseball fans and history fans are highly recommended to read this book. No matter what jersey an athlete might wear, their numbers, the consistency of their game, and the era in which they played make the legend; rival or not.
Hardcover, Sports Illustrated, Released March 2011.
Photo caption: (Courtesy book cover image of “56: Joe DiMaggio and the Last Magic Number In Sports” by Kostya Kennedy)
Book Reviewer
Sports Illustrated contributor Kostya Kennedy’s biography of the late great Joe DiMaggio is the latest of many, but takes on a special spin. “56: Joe DiMaggio and the Last Magic Number In Sports” covers the span of the 56-game hitting streak that landed Joe DiMaggio a record that has held for seventy years; a record that is lasting longer than even that of Iron Horse Lou Gehrig’s record of playing 2,160 consecutive games, broken by Cal Ripken.
Yes, DiMaggio is a Yankee, and New England is not known to be Yankee-friendly territory. But, this biography covers his relationship with brother Dom DiMaggio, the legendary Boston center fielder known for his wireframed glasses and ability as a contact hitter. In fact, the early years of the Yankees-Red Sox rivalry is depicted with the crowds’ banter each DiMaggio faced when playing each other. During that season, a bench-clearing brawl the Yankees and Red Sox waged make this a fascinating read for New England fans showing us how old that rivalry really is. Moreover, Joe DiMaggio is an undisputed champion on the field and at the plate, and has earned his place alongside rival Sox legends Jimmie Foxx, Ted Williams, and Babe Ruth (pre-curse Bambino, of course).
While typical sports biographies dig into the personal struggles, tragedies and scandals while doing a play-by-play of each great record or title their subject might hold, Kennedy sticks to one record, and the social context in which this historic record was made.
The racism and social isolation that Italians faced is among the interesting frameworks of this time period. Kennedy delves into acquaintances of DiMaggio and how they were unwittingly linked to the mafia, and even puts in the passing detail of a friend’s daughter’s bulimia. Kennedy’s research is so deep, the reader marvels at how he could ever have found all of these facts and anecdotes. Did Kennedy just bunk with Joe in a past life?
Another major theme is the pending war. At the beginning of DiMaggio’s streak, before it was really even noticed, FDR’s speech at Yankee stadium about the horrors unfolding in Europe hung over the baseball season. Hitting legend Hank Greenburg was already enlisted at this point, and athletes were beginning to get heckled for not following suit.
The writing is as impeccable as the research. Kennedy uses snappy phrases that grow invisible and becomes the natural flow of the book. At a time where biographies are just expanded gossip rags, “56” is a welcome departure from our cynical era.
DiMaggio’s imperfections were touched upon, but the real news was what he achieved that halcyon summer, and the world in which he was doing this. No steroids, no million dollar contracts, and no elevation of athletes to unnecessary heights. DiMaggio was considered too greedy wanting a figure well under $50,000 per season. Hardly the spoiled and pampered superstar of today.
Baseball fans and history fans are highly recommended to read this book. No matter what jersey an athlete might wear, their numbers, the consistency of their game, and the era in which they played make the legend; rival or not.
Hardcover, Sports Illustrated, Released March 2011.
Photo caption: (Courtesy book cover image of “56: Joe DiMaggio and the Last Magic Number In Sports” by Kostya Kennedy)
