DiMag & Mick is a portrait of DiMaggio and Mantle as the old and young exemplars of what was a more confident, masterful age not only in baseball but in the country where they were held up as cultural heroes over two generations, symbolic of an America celebrating its recent triumph over Nazism and ever-curious about the new age of color television, rocket ships, and technology. Tony Castro shows DiMag and Mick as fathers and sons, rebels and heroes, and reveals the rite of passage of two men who would go down in baseball immortality – DiMaggio as he reluctantly prepares to leave the spotlight of adoration and hero-worship for glitzy world of Marilyn’s exploding Hollywood celebrity, and Mantle in his awkward attempt to leave his country roots of Dust Bowl Oklahoma for the big city exposure and expectations of greatness being placed on him. Yankee legend and glory holds a special magic all its own, and Castro examines the heart and soul of that mystique, especially the bond of the players themselves and how that came to breed and spread the perception that there was any animosity between DiMaggio and Mantle – two polarizing personalities who drove many teammates away from one and galvanized their friendship with the other.
- Author: Tony Castro
- Hardcover: 296 pages
- Published: March, 2016
- Dimensions: 6.2 x 1 x 9.4 inches
Joe DiMaggio’s grace and class transcended the playing field into American culture. His ability at the plate and in centerfield led Hall of Fame manager Connie Mack to note, “DiMaggio is the best player that ever lived.” “Joltin’ Joe’s” 56-game hitting streak in 1941 helped him to the second of three Most Valuable Player awards. The “Yankee Clipper” was an All-Star every season during his 13-year career. At baseball’s 1969 Centennial Celebration, he was named the game’s greatest living player.
“You’re going to be a great player, kid,” said Jackie Robinson to Mickey Mantle after the 1952 World Series. Mantle was a star from the start; his talent and boyish good looks earned him iconic status. Despite a series of devastating injuries, Mantle accumulated a long list of impressive accomplishments, finishing his 18-year career with 536 home runs and a .298 batting average. When healthy, Mantle was an excellent defensive outfielder – lightning-fast, with a strong and accurate arm. The switch-hitter won three Most Valuable Player awards and a Triple Crown, contributing to 12 pennants and seven World Series titles for the New York Yankees, while establishing numerous Fall Classic records.
DiMag & Mick is a portrait of DiMaggio and Mantle as the old and young exemplars of what was a more confident, masterful age not only in baseball but in the country where they were held up as cultural heroes over two generations, symbolic of an America celebrating its recent triumph over Nazism and ever-curious about the new age of color television, rocket ships, and technology. Tony Castro shows DiMag and Mick as fathers and sons, rebels and heroes, and reveals the rite of passage of two men who would go down in baseball immortality – DiMaggio as he reluctantly prepares to leave the spotlight of adoration and hero-worship for glitzy world of Marilyn’s exploding Hollywood celebrity, and Mantle in his awkward attempt to leave his country roots of Dust Bowl Oklahoma for the big city exposure and expectations of greatness being placed on him. Yankee legend and glory holds a special magic all its own, and Castro examines the heart and soul of that mystique, especially the bond of the players themselves and how that came to breed and spread the perception that there was any animosity between DiMaggio and Mantle – two polarizing personalities who drove many teammates away from one and galvanized their friendship with the other.
- Author: Tony Castro
- Hardcover: 296 pages
- Published: March, 2016
- Dimensions: 6.2 x 1 x 9.4 inches
Joe DiMaggio’s grace and class transcended the playing field into American culture. His ability at the plate and in centerfield led Hall of Fame manager Connie Mack to note, “DiMaggio is the best player that ever lived.” “Joltin’ Joe’s” 56-game hitting streak in 1941 helped him to the second of three Most Valuable Player awards. The “Yankee Clipper” was an All-Star every season during his 13-year career. At baseball’s 1969 Centennial Celebration, he was named the game’s greatest living player.
“You’re going to be a great player, kid,” said Jackie Robinson to Mickey Mantle after the 1952 World Series. Mantle was a star from the start; his talent and boyish good looks earned him iconic status. Despite a series of devastating injuries, Mantle accumulated a long list of impressive accomplishments, finishing his 18-year career with 536 home runs and a .298 batting average. When healthy, Mantle was an excellent defensive outfielder – lightning-fast, with a strong and accurate arm. The switch-hitter won three Most Valuable Player awards and a Triple Crown, contributing to 12 pennants and seven World Series titles for the New York Yankees, while establishing numerous Fall Classic records.
