Joe DiMaggio

Joe DiMaggio, 1991

Ferdinand Rebechini

Piazza DiMaggio

1430 West Taylor Street

Connie Mack, the longest-serving manager in Major League Baseball history, was quoted: “As one of nine men, (Joe) DiMaggio is the best player that ever lived.” The three-time MVP winner and 13-time All-Star played his entire career not in Chicago, but in New York.  However, in 1998, construction on the Piazza DiMaggio began as a gift from the city to the Little Italy area. 42^nd Ward Alderman Burton Natarus noted: “We think the Italian people have a very special neighborhood here. We want to preserve it and the DiMaggio Piazza is part of that preservation.” “The Yankee Clipper” himself was present when the statue was dedicated on May 18, 1999, the 50^th anniversary of his 56-game hitting streak.  The monument to this Italian American sports icon can be found directly across the street from the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame.