Joseph Paolo DiMaggio, with a career batting average of .325 and 520 extra-base hits, established a definitive role in the game baseball. Joseph, better known as Joe, DiMaggio was a thirteen-time All-Star and nine-time World Series champion. He finished his career with 2,214 hits, 361 career home runs and an astonishing 1,537 career runs. These statistics earned him a place in Cooperstown (Baseball Hall of Fame), along with all the Major League greats. Joseph Paolo DiMaggio was born in Martinez, California, on November 25, 1914. His father, Guiseppe DiMaggio, and mother, Rosalie DiMaggio, were Sicilian immigrants who left Italy in 1898. Joe was the fourth son and eighth child of Guiseppe and Rosalie. Fishing has been the DiMaggio family business for many generations. Guiseppe hoped that his sons would follow in his footsteps. Joe, indifferent to the family business, did everything he could to avoid cleaning the boat of the unpleasant smell of dead fish, and for this Joe's father insulted him with words like "well to nothing.” Joe and his brothers, Vince and Dominic, escaped daily chores by heading to the neighborhood sandlots. Joe first played baseball when he was ten years old. Joe's father expressed his feelings towards baseball, but after a while he noticed that it was no use and simply left Joe alone. Joe lost interest in gambling at the age of fourteen and began selling newspapers. Joe then saw that his older brother Vince had been signed by the San Francisco Seals and had made money playing baseball. Vince told Joe to take the game more seriously and that he had the talent to make big money. Joe returned to the game and when the Seals needed a shortstop, Vince recommended Joe. He played three games... middle of paper ......te of the year in 1941. After his retirement, he was voted the greatest living player in 1969 in a poll of sports journalists. He was also voted to the Major League Baseball All-Century Team in 1999. Joseph DiMaggio died on March 8, 1999. Baseball would not remain the same without him. Hitting streaks in consecutive games: 30 hitting streaks in baseball. Np, and Web. January 29, 2013. “JOE DIMAGGIO’S CAREER HIGHLIGHTS.” » Lubbock Online. Np, and Web. January 31, 2013. “Pre-Yankees.” Joe DiMaggio's official website. Np, and Web. January 30, 2013. “Joe Quotes.” » Joe DiMaggio's official website. Np, and Web. February 1, 2013. “The Man”. Joe DiMaggio's official website. Np, and Web. January 31, 2013. “The Streak.” Joe DiMaggio's official website. Np, and Web. February 1. 2013.