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Tom Clavin
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The DiMaggios: Three Brothers, Their Passion for Baseball, Their Pursuit of the American Dream Kindle Edition

by Tom Clavin (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.5 out of 5 stars 184 ratings
Editors' pick Best Biographies & Memoirs
This biography of the legendary baseball family is an “entertaining and a rich source of DiMaggio lore” (New York Daily News).

In The DiMaggios, New York Times–bestselling acclaimed sportswriter Tom Clavin reveals the untold Great American Story of three brothers, Joltin’ Joe, Dom, and Vince DiMaggio, and the Great American Game—baseball—that would consume their lives.

A vivid portrait of a family and the ways in which their shifting fortunes and status shaped their relationships, The DiMaggios is an exploration of an era and a culture.

This comprehensive biography offers a trove of insight into one of the game’s greatest players and his family, sure to be treasured by Yankees fans, Red Sox Fans, and baseball aficionados around the world.

“Fascinating revelations . . . more than the story of three ball playing brothers.” —Boston Globe
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  1. Print length
    401 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Ecco
  4. Publication date
    May 14, 2013
  5. File size
    7.2 MB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Just a few years after the death of the last surviving brother, Dominic, at age 92, Clavin offers a collective biography of the best known of all sports siblings, with the emphasis, of course, on the iconic Joe (Giuseppe Junior). The story is a familiar one to baseball fans: sons of Italian immigrant parents and discouraged from sports as youngsters by their San Francisco fisherman father, the three brothers—Vince, Joe, and Dominic—all went on to Major League careers, in Joe’s case also to the Hall of Fame and celebrity well beyond the baseball diamond, notably Joe’s enduring love of Marilyn Monroe. Clavin’s treatment of their baseball lives is heavily statistical, almost encyclopedic (he’s gone through all the Yankee clippings), and, regrettably—like the brothers’ personalities (Vince possibly excepted)—it lacks panache. Oddly, the book is at its best in dealing with their later years: Vince’s personal struggles, Joe’s loneliness, Dom’s business success. Though often sad, the account achieves, toward the end of the story, its drama and real poignancy. The DiMaggios is, ultimately, the family story its title implies. --Mark Levine

From the Back Cover

The untold Great American Story of three brothers—Joltin' Joe, Dom, and Vince DiMaggio—and the Great American Game, baseball, that would consume their lives

More than 350 sets of brothers have played in the major leagues since the 1870s. But few have had the skill, the charisma, or the success of the DiMaggio brothers. Joe DiMaggio, "The Yankee Clipper," is an American icon and one of the greatest athletes of the twentieth century. Even his chief rival, Ted Williams, called him the greatest all-around player he ever saw.

But two of Joe's brothers, also center fielders, were dynamic players in their own right. Dominic, affectionately known as "The Little Professor," was a seven-time All-Star who played for the Boston Red Sox from 1940 through 1953. He hit better than .300 five times in his career, finished with a .298 average, and like his big brother, rarely struck out. And Vince DiMaggio, the eldest, made two All-Star teams and in 1941 smacked 21 home runs and drove in 100 RBIs while playing for the Pittsburgh Pirates.

In The DiMaggios, journalist Tom Clavin draws on a wealth of source materials, interviews with family members and teammates, and in-depth reporting to reveal how three kids from an immigrant family of eleven found their way to the upper echelons of American sports and popular culture. A vivid portrait of a family and the ways in which their shifting fortunes and status shaped their relationships, it is also a transporting exploration of an era and a culture, using baseball as a lens to view and understand American society in the twentieth century.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00B72FIA2
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Ecco; Reprint edition (May 14, 2013)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ May 14, 2013
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 7.2 MB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 401 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 out of 5 stars 184 ratings

About the authors

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  1. Tom Clavin

    Tom Clavin

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    TOM CLAVIN, whose most recent book is FOLLOW ME TO HELL, is a bestselling author who has worked as a newspaper and web site editor, magazine writer, TV and radio commentator, and a reporter for The New York Times covering entertainment, sports, and the environment. He has received awards from the Society of Professional Journalists, Marine Corps Heritage Foundation, and National Newspaper Association. Six of his books have been New York Times best sellers: THE HEART OF EVERYTHING THAT IS, DODGE CITY, HALSEY'S TYPHOON, THE LAST STAND OF FOX COMPANY, BLOOD AND TREASURE, and FOLLOW ME TO HELL. Other books that have received popular and critical acclaim include TOMBSTONE, WILD BILL, ALL BLOOD RUNS RED, TO THE UTTERMOST ENDS OF THE EARTH, THE LAST HILL, and LIGHTNING DOWN. Tom is also a nationally syndicated columnist and "The Overlook" can be found at tomclavin.substack.com. His next book, THE LAST OUTLAWS, will be published on November 7 by St. Martin's Press. For more information, go to tomclavin.com

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  2. Thomas Clavin

    Thomas Clavin

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    Discover more of the author’s books, see similar authors, read book recommendations and more.

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Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
184 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this book to be a must-read for baseball fans, with a well-told story about the DiMaggio brothers. They appreciate the book's insight, with one customer noting how it details their private lives, and another highlighting how it gives equal attention to all three brothers. The book receives positive feedback for its historical content, with one customer describing it as a fine book of memories of great baseball.

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23 customers mention "Readability"23 positive0 negative

Customers find the book to be a wonderful and must-read for baseball fans, with several noting it is well written.

"...Tells the story the way it had to be told. I really enjoyed reading this book...." Read more

"...What makes this book so great to read is that even though I've heard these stories before, the author does a good job of making me forget I've heard..." Read more

"...Thank you Tom Clavin for a wonderful read and tribute to our Family." Read more

"Great book. Well balanced story between the 3 brothers. Probably like most baseball fans, my knowledge of Dominic was as of Joe's little brother...." Read more

18 customers mention "Story quality"18 positive0 negative

Customers find the book's story engaging and well-told, with one customer noting how it weaves through the lives of the DiMaggio brothers seamlessly.

"Pulls no punches. Tells the story the way it had to be told. I really enjoyed reading this book...." Read more

"...Delivering each story, weaving you through their lives seamlessly. What I love most is how he intertwines the stories of all 3 brothers...." Read more

"...Mr. Clavin intersperse the family portrait with well written baseball stories that are just enough not to lose the interest of those of us that are..." Read more

"Great book. Well balanced story between the 3 brothers. Probably like most baseball fans, my knowledge of Dominic was as of Joe's little brother...." Read more

13 customers mention "Insight"13 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's insights, with one noting how the facts and figures provide an appreciation of the brothers' lives, while another highlights the detailed portrayal of Ted Williams.

"...the San Francisco Bay area to improve their living conditions, quite interesting. It dealt, not only with Joe, the most well known...." Read more

"...This book was enlightening on his life, and what a person he was. Just a great book. A grand-slam." Read more

"This book is of interest because it brings together the lives and careers of the DiMaggio brothers...." Read more

"...Since I am now a Red Sox fan, I loved the information about TedWilliams and Dom's not so famous teammates." Read more

6 customers mention "Biography"6 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the biography's coverage of the DiMaggio brothers, with one customer noting how it intertwines their stories and gives equal attention to each sibling.

"...What I love most is how he intertwines the stories of all 3 brothers...." Read more

"Tom Clavin did a superb job in depicting the DiMaggio Family with his factual account of their history, but even more so with reading between the..." Read more

"This book is of interest because it brings together the lives and careers of the DiMaggio brothers...." Read more

"...This one is the best because it gives equal attention to his two brothers...." Read more

4 customers mention "History"4 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the historical content of the book, with one customer describing it as a fine book of memories of great baseball, while another notes how it covers the lives of the DiMaggio brothers both on and off the field.

"...learning about their childhood, their baseball years, and their lives after baseball. For me, it was a page turner, and I read it in two days...." Read more

"Another fine book of memories of great baseball. Interesting tale of a great baseball family." Read more

"...Arguably, they are the first family of baseball history!" Read more

"Baseball in the golden age...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Enrico J DiRienzo
    5.0 out of 5 stars Very good book.
    Reviewed in the United States on December 11, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Pulls no punches. Tells the story the way it had to be told. I really enjoyed reading this book. Joe was my idol when I was young, and I almost got to meet him in Philadelphia, but reporters had him surrounded and I didn’t get close enough.
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  • yankee fanatic
    5.0 out of 5 stars Go ahead....endulge yourself
    Reviewed in the United States on June 23, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    So, how many books now have been written about Dimmagio? Yea I don't know either. What I do know and can tell you with all certainty is that this book is a good read. But I would put in a disclaimer for all those know it alls out there looking to knit pick much as society has taught us to do now a days. I'm a huge fan of Joe. Heard every story. Many of which were written from a different angle in this book. What makes this book so great to read is that even though I've heard these stories before, the author does a good job of making me forget I've heard them. Delivering each story, weaving you through their lives seamlessly. What I love most is how he intertwines the stories of all 3 brothers. This book is easy to dive into and will leave you forgetting where you are while reading it. It will leave you with more than just knowledge of the Dimaggio family but a deeper appreciation of how amazing the 30's, 40's and 50's were in baseball. Athletes performing at ungodly paces. As I finished reading this book, what I thought to myself was, they may not be that perfect brady bunch type of family but they darn sure made an impact on the game, the likes never seen before or after. Enjoy!
    4 people found this helpful
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  • francesca
    4.0 out of 5 stars The DiMaggio Brothers
    Reviewed in the United States on July 7, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    I found this biography of the DiMaggio brothers, sons of immigrant fishermen from Western Sicily who moved to the San Francisco Bay area to improve their living conditions, quite interesting. It dealt, not only with Joe, the most well known. but with Vince and Dominic, who found their own measure of success. I gained a new appreciation for the immigrant struggle and for Dominic, whose baseball stats rival Joe's.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Dominic Paul Dimaggio Jr.
    5.0 out of 5 stars An Insider View
    Reviewed in the United States on July 14, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    Tom Clavin did a superb job in depicting the DiMaggio Family with his factual account of their history, but even more so with reading between the lines of his numerous interviews and capturing the true nature and personalities of the of the "Brothers" and their families.
    Mr. Clavin shows Joe as the tragic figure I have known him to be, an American icon who was lonely and introverted and never recovered from the loss of his only love, Marilyn. He captures the incredibly affable nature of Vince, the brother anyone would pick as a friend who could have been as, or more, successful in opera than he was in Baseball, but who struggled to earn a living after Baseball, as it was too late for him to pursue his operatic talents. His depiction of Dom (my view here is biased as his son) as the youngest but most successful of the children in all aspects of life, baseball aside perhaps, comes up just shy of just how loyal and classy and astute a man he was.
    Mr. Clavin intersperse the family portrait with well written baseball stories that are just enough not to lose the interest of those of us that are not rabid baseball fans. A reading of this book will yield a factual understanding of one of baseball's pre-eminent families.
    Thank you Tom Clavin for a wonderful read and tribute to our Family.
    5 people found this helpful
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  • John M. Lyons
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great book. Well balanced story between the 3 brothers
    Reviewed in the United States on May 25, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    Great book. Well balanced story between the 3 brothers. Probably like most baseball fans, my knowledge of Dominic was as of Joe's little brother. This book was enlightening on his life, and what a person he was. Just a great book. A grand-slam.
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  • Steven J. Berke
    3.0 out of 5 stars Well written but nothing special
    Reviewed in the United States on May 23, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    This book is of interest because it brings together the lives and careers of the DiMaggio brothers. It confirmed my earlier impression that while Joe was the better ballplayer Dom was by far the better human being (and was a pretty good ballplayer who might have made the Hall of Fame if not for Joe's shadow). It also was interesting to read Vince's story--a decent player stuck in the wrong family.

    While Clavin writes and organizes his material well, it is clear he is relying on secondary sources rather than interviews or in-depth research. This does not match the depth and comprehensiveness of what has been written about Joe (especially Richard Ben Cramer's biography), but is as good as we are likely to get on Dom and Vince.
    10 people found this helpful
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  • Herb Davis
    5.0 out of 5 stars Baseball in the golden age.
    Reviewed in the United States on June 26, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    I started following baseball when I was 10-1945, so, even during the War I was aware of the DiMaggios. We in Boston had a fierce rivalry with the Yankees, and some of us felt that Dominic was superior-but that was braggadocio. Vince, we were less aware of, although he had played for the Bees[Braves] in the late thirties. What I liked about it was the old-time names, the teams, some of which don't exist anymore, and the stadiums-all of which are gone, except Fenway Park, and Wrigley Field. I was aware of Dominic's post-playing career, and hw badly he had been treated by the Red Sox and the Yawkee family-but I had no idea of Joe or Vince. This book filled in the blanks for me. It was similar in scope to watching "42"-the Jackie Robinson movie for me.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Trying to
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great DiMaggio Brothers book!!!!
    Reviewed in the United States on June 12, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    I truly enjoyed this book. I'm not a big baseball fan. We have all heard about JOE DiMaggio but this told about the whole DiMaggio family. In particular, Dom and Vince, also baseball players and outstanding in their own rights but could never achieve the stardom as Joe did. I liked learning about their childhood, their baseball years, and their lives after baseball. For me, it was a page turner, and I read it in two days. My husband did the same thing. I read it on my Kindle and he read the hardcover. Then we bought two more copies to give to friends who we knew would enjoy the book.
    4 people found this helpful
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