h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I never saw him play but heard from others just how great Joe DiMaggio was as a ballplayer.
Joe's perennial rival, Ted Williams of the Boston Red Sox, commented many years later that he always thought himself to have been a better hitter than Joe, but when it came to all-round talent, Joe had it all.
Joe was also a very good baserunner. It was noted that throughout his entire career, Joe never once was thrown out going from first to third base. He could steal also.
Possibly the most overlooked aspect of his hitting ability was his low strikeout rate. In each of his seasons, with perhaps only one or two exceptions, he was the lowest in the majors in % of strikeouts for times at bat.

RJC

I'd probably be forced to agree that Williams was a better hitter, but DiMaggio was, as you say, a better all-around ball player. He was also an American icon, and just an exciting player. I never saw him play either (I'm much too young) but the fact that we're still talking about him decades later says something

Amen. I agree with you.

There are no ballplayers that I know of in this present generation who excel in all aspects of the game as did DiMaggio. I guess that is why prior to his death, he was referred to by sportswriters and baseball aficionados as " the greatest living ballplayer. "

RJC