The Yankees, Aaron Judge and the fate of Major League Baseball

Where Have You Gone?

It’s always been like that for the Yankees and their superstars. Take Dimaggio. He comes along in 1936 during the depths of the Depression, when a Ruthian partyer would have been obscene.

Instead, Joe played with a quiet austerity. At a time when even men like Hemingway needed something or someone, to believe in, there was the silent, poetic grace of the Yankee Clipper.

He inspired men and boys just by rounding the bases and running down deep fly balls. He held out for money once, but no one blamed a regular Joe for trying to get his. Not during the Depression.

But most importantly, the country needed the wins more than the Yankees did.

Joe and the Boys gave the country a focal point of winning, a reason to cheer for what was America’s home team. Joltin’ Joe led his team to World Series titles in his first four years and five in his first six.

When the country was dragging through the Great Depression, and Central Park was at times used as a Shanty Town, the Yankees gave at least New Yorkers a reason to believe that they, and America, could be great again.

I am sure it was a small, dull light for people then. But in dark times, even the smallest light can shine brighter than the sun.

That Dimaggio found such success, yet handled it with a demure dignity, made this superstar a man of the people. And that made him perfect for the 1930’s.