Joe DiGangi, former member of the New York Yankees’ legendary 1933 team. Photo by Joe Ditler. Joseph J. DiGangi “NY Yankee Knew Ruth, Gehrig and DiMaggio” 1914 2009 CORONADO – He won’t be remembered in the Baseball Hall of Fame, children won’t be given the day off from school, and he won’t be seen in highlight reels of the New York Yankees’ greatest games. And yet, Joe DiGangi, a bullpen catcher for the Yankees from 1933-1942 was perhaps the greatest emissary the NY Yankees or the sport of baseball could ever have. Joe died peacefully July 14 with his family at his side. He was 94 years old. A longtime resident of the Coronado Shores, Joe and his wife Connie moved here in the 1980s. They were married 71 years, and had recently relocated to the Coronado Seasons. At 17, Joe DiGangi took the subway from his poor neighborhood in Brooklyn to Yankee Stadium in the Bronx. He literally knocked on the office door of the club manager and announced he was ready to play ball for the NY Yankees. Likely, just to get rid of him, they told DiGangi to show up in Florida for Spring Training, never thinking that this kid would know where to go, or how to get there. Joe DiGangi left Brooklyn in 1933 with a valise, one change of clothes, $20 and his catcher’s mitt. Surprised, but impressed, the Yankees had to give him the promised try out. Joe was good good enough to be invited to suit up for every home game played in Yankee Stadium and to be the team’s bullpen warm-up catcher. That was Babe Ruth’s last year as a Yankee. The team that year had 11 members go on to the Baseball Hall of Fame the most in the history of the game. Joe sits proudly in the front row of the 1933 team picture. Being Italian, as were many of the Yankees during that time, Joe was literally adopted by the older players. Babe called him “Whitey,” because of his blonde hair. Gehrig’s bat broke Joe’s fingertips one day during batting practice. Lou spent the rest of the day making sure Joe was okay. Later on, in 1939, Joe was on the field and cried with the rest of the world when Gehrig gave his famous farewell speech. In 1941, Joe DiMaggio hit safely in a record 56 consecutive games. That spring, the “other Joe D.” pitched two extra hours a day to DiMaggio helping him to refine his legendary swing. DiMaggio never forgot the favor. DiGangi played with the Yankees every year until 1942, when he shipped out to the South Pacific to serve his country as a Navy Seabee. There he worked construction and played inter-service baseball with DiMaggio to entertain the troops. The two Joe D’s become very good friends. Joe was interviewed by numerous local and national newspapers including the New York Times. Most recently he was invited to Petco Park to share his memories of Lou Gehrig on the 70th anniversary of Gehrig’s farewell speech. Whenever asked, Joe was ready to show up and speak. He loved speaking to children’s groups and gatherings of police and firefighters most of all. Like all good Italian storytellers Joe used his hands to add emphasize to his stories. Joe’s fingers looked like gnarled tree roots from catching a baseball with the poor excuse of a baseball mitt used in the 1930s. He showed them off like medals of honor. Joe DiGangi is survived by his wife Connie of Coronado, son Joe DiGangi Jr., of Santa Cruz, New Mexico, daughter Carole Dudley of St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, and a grandson James. The family is planning a “Day of Memories” to celebrate Joe’s life the first week of October. Anyone interested in attending is encouraged to contact Joe DiGangi Jr., at 505-753-6414 or [email protected]. Another announcement will appear before the event. “This will be a great celebration of life,” said Joe DiGangi Jr. “I hope all of Dad’s friends come down for this, and all come ready to share a memory of my father.” Donations can be made in lieu of flowers to the San Diego Police Athletic League in memory of Joe DiGangi. ================ JOSEPH DITLER Creative Director SCHOONER OR LATER PROMOTIONS — Communications Consultants Serving the Arts & Culture Arena, the Entertainment Industry, and Waterfronts of the World since 1984 — www.schoonerorlaterpromotions.com 1034 Encino Row, Coronado, California, 92118 USA W: 619.435.0767 E: [email protected]
