GIRARDI, DiMAGGIO, TALESE and other things BASEBALL, ITALIAN and HORNY...

[Marc Wallace]

Excuse the double-posting here, since I already threaded this in the Yankees' page, but if you've never read it and think (erroneously) that The New Yorker is an elitist magazine for liberal Manhattan-based lit-crit snobs, you've gotta find a copy of the Sept. 24 issue and read Gay Talese's profile of Joe Girardi. There are things about Joe I never knew or imagined, and none are bad. And if you're a father, son or anyone with a soul at all, you can even settle for reading just the final paragraphs of the piece.

(Sorry I can't attach it online, but if you're a Yankee fan, you've gotta make every effort to find and read this article... somehow!)

And to enrich this experience even further, take a look at this link to comments on Talese, DiMaggio etc. prompted by the Girardi profile. It's loaded with fascinating nuggets of baseball...and humanity. http://www.baseballprospectus.com/ar...rticleid=18525

[Dude Paskert]

Talese wrote a fascinating profile of DiMaggio years ago, I saved the magazine for a long time but have lost track of it.
This included the famous scene where Clipper kicked Talese out of his restaurant after having agreed to an interview, and then almost immediately drove past him on the street and asked him if he needed a ride somewhere.

[Marc Wallace]

Talese wrote a fascinating profile of DiMaggio years ago, I saved the magazine for a long time but have lost track of it.
This included the famous scene where Clipper kicked Talese out of his restaurant after having agreed to an interview, and then almost immediately drove past him on the street and asked him if he needed a ride somewhere.

Yep, that piece from Esquire is famous, written in 1966, and called "The Silent Season of a Hero"..and here it is, almost complete. Enjoy: http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/...maggio-profile

[The Real McCoy]

I am far removed from the label of "Yankee fan" having grown up in Brooklyn at a time when it seemed the manifest destiny of the home nine was to lose every October to the "evil empire." (where was that most apt of phrases when we needed it so badly on Foster Avenue in the forties and early fifties?). having worked in the business, I continue to get the "New Yorker" on a "comp" basis to this day and while I hope that fact at least positions me on the periphery of the "snob" designation, I consider the book to be a weekly collection of some of the best feature writing still available in a fast declining category. the Talese piece that you reference was a quintessential example. I knew of Girardi's dad's illness, but the writer poignantly captured a side of the Yankee manager largely unknown until now. good story, good writing, good call.

[Marc Wallace]

I am far removed from the label of "Yankee fan" having grown up in Brooklyn at a time when it seemed the manifest destiny of the home nine was to lose every October to the "evil empire." (where was that most apt of phrases when we needed it so badly on Foster Avenue in the forties and early fifties?). having worked in the business, I continue to get the "New Yorker" on a "comp" basis to this day and while I hope that fact at least positions me on the periphery of the "snob" designation, I consider the book to be a weekly collection of some of the best feature writing still available in a fast declining category. the Talese piece that you reference was a quintessential example. I knew of Girardi's dad's illness, but the writer poignantly captured a side of the Yankee manager largely unknown until now. good story, good writing, good call.

Really great to hear,TRM. I'm gratified you read and liked the piece...though by "business" you sound like you've labored in publishing or journalism side of life (esp. with reference to the magazine as "book.") And no, you're right--I do NOT consider The New Yorker snobbish at all myself, but was just trying to anticipate and knock down defenses of those who think so--especially sports fans--so they would read Talese's profile. One of things that most surprised me about it was the depth of Girardi's religious faith--which I have never seen conspicuously displayed in any of his words or gestures--in such dramatic contrast to so many other athletes, in all sports. That plus the extraordinary educational and professional achievement of Joe's siblings--even a cynic (or snob!) has to admit the Girardi family is a stunning example of the immigrant-American dream come true! And thanks again for your thanks!

[Captain Cold Nose]

I skimmed the article as I always do upon receipt of the magazine. Sometimes I go back and read more carefully, often I don't. I'll be sure to go back and reread the article.