In the summer of 1969, on the eve of Major League Baseball’s 40th All-Star Game, and amidst baseball’s 100th anniversary, the game decided to honor its greats — current and former — at a centennial dinner that included over 2,300 guests. The dignitaries included a veritable who’s-who of government officials and titanic figures in baseball.
The ultimate honor that night went to Babe Ruth, named “The Greatest Player Ever.” The Bambino, though, was not the only Yankee legend to earn accolades. Joe DiMaggio, who had been retired since 1951, earned the moniker of “Greatest Living Ballplayer.”
In the interests of full disclosure, DiMaggio is perhaps my favorite figure in baseball’s rich history.