Remembering Dom DiMaggio

I've always loved baseball. My grandfather, Mack Kniffen, was a pitcher and dearly loved baseball. He loved the Texas Rangers the best, but any baseball really was fine with him.

Grandpa would take us out in the pasture and play "SCRUB". Basically it was baseball but we only had one base, since there weren't enough of us for a full team. Or sometimes, we'd just go out and "have a catch". I never was athletically inclined in any way, but he always made you feel like you were an All Star.

He took me to my first live game back in the 80's at the Astrodome in Houston when Jose' Cruz still played for the Astros. It was a magical day. He sat there and explained how everything worked. Being the only girl in a passel of boys, I didn't get much instruction, so that time was really special.

Now, I am not a die-hard baseball fan. I can't sit there and quote you stats and RBIs. I just love the game. I like to remember back when baseball was about the game. Not the drug use or betting scandals. Just the game.

My grandpa died in January of 2008. Every time I think of baseball, I think of him. And it makes my heart sad to know that we've lost another baseball hero.

Baseball great, Dom DiMaggio, died at his home in Massachusetts early Friday morning at the age of 92. Surrounded by his wife of 61 years and his 3 children, DiMaggio died from undisclosed causes after an illness.

Known as the "Little Professor" because of his slight frame, studious nature, and eyeglasses, Dom was an all star in his own right, despite the opinion by some that he was there because of his last name. Dom was younger brother to Yankee's legend, Joe DiMaggio. Older brother Vince DiMaggio also played 10 years for 5 different National League teams. All three brothers played center field.

Growing up in San Francisco, born one of 5 boys and 4 girls to Sicilian immigrants, Dom's fisherman father always thought he would be a lawyer, but Dom had other plans. He wanted to play ball. Dom went on to make his own name as a baseball legend.

The younger DiMaggio was a 7 time All Star and holds the longest consecutive game hitting streak in Boston Red Sox history. Dom spent his entire career with the Red Sox, playing 10 full seasons plus 3 games. His baseball career was put on hold for 3 years during World War II to serve in the Navy. Some believe that three year hiatus may have cost him induction in the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Dom was a .298 hitter with 87 home runs. Although Dom didn't have the numbers as big brother, Joe, Dom was considered a better field player than Joe with an arm like a rocket.

After retiring in 1953, Dom became a plastics manufacturer in New England. In 1995, he was inducted into the Boston Red Sox Hall of Fame.

Dom was preceded in death by his brothers Vince and Joe. Vince died in October of 1986, Joe in March or 1999. Dom is survived by his wife and three kids, Dominic Paul, Peter, and Emily and several grandchildren.

So, dear Dom, go find my grandpa. His name is Mack and he's the best pitcher you'll ever run across. Maybe you can sit and chat awhile about baseball. I'm sure you have lots of stories to tell and he's a great listener. Or maybe, just maybe, y'all can find you a pasture somewhere and "have a catch".

Resource: Mike Pratt, Associated Press