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What Convinced Baseball Legend Joe DiMaggio To Retire Early
The former New York Yankees star indicated he might have played a couple more seasons if MLB hadn’t made a certain change
Although legendary outfielder Joe DiMaggio retired when he was 36, there were many who were shocked by his sudden departure from the game where he had become an American icon. A subsequent song released years after his playing days ended asked “Where have you gone Joe DiMaggio.” However, a better question might have been “Why have you gone,” for many fans. In addition to physical ailments that come with advancing age, the future Hall-of-Famer admitted that a change in baseball contributed heavily in him hanging up his bat and glove when he did.
The son of a San Francisco fisherman, DiMaggio played 13 seasons with the Yankees (1936–1942; 1946–1951) but missed three full years during World War II because of military service. Known as a player with few noticeable flaws in his game, he was an All Star in every season he played. He also won three MVP awards, received MVP votes in all but his final season; and was the star on 10 World Series teams, including nine that won championships. The right-handed hitter batted a combined .325 in his career (including two batting titles) with 346 home runs and 1,537 RBIs. His 56-game…
