Dinner with DiMaggio

Memories of An American Hero

By: Rock Positano, John Positano, Francis Ford Coppola - introduction, Fay Vincent - introduction

Narrated by: Fred Sanders

A revealing account of the great Baseball Hall of Famer Joe DiMaggio from the man who knew him best in the last ten years of his life—“a rare, intimate portrait…that pries open Joltin’ Joe’s perpetually buttoned-up privacy” (The New York Times) with stories about the Yankees, Ted Williams, Lou Gehrig, Marilyn Monroe, Frank Sinatra, and other celebrities.

In 1990, Dr. Rock Positano, a thirty-two-year-old foot and ankle specialist, met Joe DiMaggio. Despite the forty years between them, an unlikely friendship developed after the doctor successfully treated the baseball champ’s heel spur injury. Joe mentored Rock but came to rely on his young friend to show him a good time in New York, the town that made him a legend. In time, the famously reserved DiMaggio opened up to Dr. Positano and talked about his joys, his disappointments, and his sorrows as he reflected on his extraordinary life. The stories and experiences he shared with Dr. Positano comprise an intimate portrait of one of the great stars of baseball and icon of the twentieth century.

“Readers do not have to be baseball fans to be captivated by this memoir, which explores such universal themes as friendship, celebrity, aging, and mortality” (Library Journal, starred review). DiMaggio was a complicated figure—sometimes demanding, sometimes big-hearted, always impeccable, loyal, and a true stand-up guy. This memoir of a decade-long friendship reveals the very private DiMaggio as “a wholly human portrait of an American icon navigating his way through an adoring yet relentlessly demanding public” (Booklist, starred review), while serving up illuminating stories and rare insights about the people in his life, including his teammates, Muhammad Ali, Sandy Koufax, Woody Allen, and many more.

Very unusual book on DiMaggio in later life.

Dr. Positano became a late life friend of the great DiMag & shares wonderful stories.

Fascinating Read

A thoughtful, detailed and candid book. Great for DiMaggio die hards, the pop culture curious and sports fans alike. Bravo!

Great storytelling beautiful narration

Great storytelling beautiful narration Dinner with DiMaggio is a wonderful ode to The Yankee Clipper Thank You Rock Positano and Fred Sanders

A revealing, interesting biography

The narration is a bit slow and drawn out, but acceptable.

This biography reveals a lot of interesting details and analysis of this private, complicated, honorable man.

Loved this book

Dr Positano did an amazing job. If you want to know who DiMaggio was. His history , life , personal . Attitudes and views on everything from food to politics this is your book. Turns out Dr Positano is a Dr at the same hospital where I did my hip surgery couple years ago with Dr Su. So neat that a Dr would be such good friends and write such an amazing book about the Great DiMaggio. Thank you Doc.