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Dinner with DiMaggio: Memories of An American Hero

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The real Joe DiMaggio, remembered by one of the few who really knew the man behind the legend—candid and little-known stories about baseball icons from Ted Williams, Lou Gehrig, and his Yankees teammates on the field to Marilyn Monroe, Frank Sinatra, and others off the field. As told by Dr. Rock Positano, DiMaggio’s closest confidante in New York during the final years of his life, Dinner with DiMaggio is an intimate portrait of one of America’s most enduring heroes.

This memoir of a decade-long friendship reveals the very private DiMaggio as he really was—sometimes demanding, sometimes big-hearted, always impeccable, loyal, and a true stand-up guy—while serving up illuminating stories and rare insights about the people in his life, including his teammates, Muhammad Ali, Sandy Koufax, Woody Allen, and more.

In 1990, Dr. Rock Positano, the thirty-two-year-old foot and ankle specialist, was introduced to DiMaggio, the pair brought together by a career-ending heel spur injury. Though Dr. Positano was forty years younger, an unlikely friendship developed after the doctor successfully treated the baseball champ’s heel. At the start, 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 shared with Dr. Positano comprise an intimate portrait of one of the great stars of baseball and icon of the twentieth century.

368 pages, Hardcover

Published May 9, 2017

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Rock Positano

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5 stars
84 (36%)
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73 (31%)
3 stars
55 (23%)
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7 (3%)
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11 (4%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
Profile Image for Benjamin baschinsky.
116 reviews71 followers
July 7, 2017
i was so so bored reading of stories ( true or False) of a renown doctor acting as a vassal to Dimaggio.
Hard to swallow some of these stories, as Dr Positano held Dimaggio up as Saint status.
Profile Image for Jen.
489 reviews143 followers
February 20, 2021
Really enjoyed this shirt book about joltin Joe. I knew very little about him other than his marriage to Marilyn and that of course he’s one of the greatest Yankees of all time. I thought the format was a little choppy but overall it was nice to learn more about Joe in is later years.
Profile Image for John Russo.
292 reviews6 followers
December 5, 2020
An insiders book on DiMaggios quirks and traits in his 70s. Strange that a 76 year American icon befriends a 32 year old foot doctor who then becomes his chauffeur, dinner companion and social secretary. Sad actually. If DiMaggio was Joltin Joe in his playing career, he became quirky Joe as shown in this book of Joe’s odd personality and long held grudges. The book is easy to read but gets into a side of Joe I don’t need to know. Strangely enough, Joe guarded his privacy and his friend respected that. But in death he reveals private parts of Joe’s life that would have Joe turning over in his grave including his marriage and sex life with Marilyn Monroe that only lasted nine months. The book is mostly conversations that were recreated 25 years later. Who remembers 25 year old conversations that weren’t recorded or documented?
2,233 reviews9 followers
July 21, 2017
Obviously, I never saw DiMaggio play and what I know of him comes from newsreels and accounts like this one. Positano's account of his friend while not unbiased is an interesting look at a very complex man who had to deal with almost unmeasurable fame with all its pluses and minuses. In some ways, the path he chose seems a lonely and isolated one, but life is choice. I appreciated the author's insight and look at this American icon.
Profile Image for MaryBeth Long.
224 reviews
February 27, 2018
Charming book about a difficult man who clearly lived his life by his own rules. Lots of nifty name drops. Entertaining. The author is self deprecating despite lofty status as superior surgeon to the stars. Those seeking in-depth analysis need to look elsewhere.
Profile Image for Fred.
495 reviews10 followers
January 30, 2018
What do we love about Joe DiMaggio? We love that he played graceful, winning baseball, that he would do anything to help his team, that he was a five tool player who bore the pressure of being the greatest star in the biggest market with style. And he did all this when baseball was at the center of American culture. DiMaggio transcended sports in a way that is hard to overstate and he spent the rest of his life "being" Joe DiMaggio. He practically started the memorabilia business that has helped so many retired ball players.
What do we hate about DiMaggio? He was distant and demanding, cold and often abrupt, fiercely protective of his privacy. Of course, DiMaggio had to protect himself. He was one of the most recognizable people in the country, the idol of, literally, tens of millions. But he did not need to be a jerk, to hold a grudge forever just to make a point, to demand that those around him protect his image as if it was a chest of jewels. DiMaggio was inscrutable and since he was so great -- really, greater than most contemporary people understand -- his emotional distance is frustrating.
When Richard Ben Creamer wrote his biography of DiMaggio, the Yankee Clipper refused to cooperate and would not let anyone else cooperate. The biography was brilliant but revealed a difficult man to be around who was miserly and protective. Creamer did a good job of showing why Joe D had a right to be that way and how he wasn't never paid what he was worth. One gets tired of being exploited. Positano's book is clearly meant to counter balance Creamer's book. You would think that a book about DiMaggio that was not about baseball but about hanging out with DiMaggio after he retired would be a chronicle of the least likable aspects of the man. And to some degree it is. It is also a bit self indulgent and a bit of an apologetic. But Positano makes no excuse for how he feels about DiMaggio: he was a friend and confidant and that changed the Dr's life forever.
But this book is much more enjoyable that you would think because it begins to reveal the man behind the mythology. He does not really contradict Creamer (who Positano said urged him to write the book), but he fills in the blanks. Dimaggio was difficult in many ways. He held grudges. But he also loved people and loved baseball. Positano reminds us of how smart the Clipper was, how he loved his family and regretted his falling out with his son. He shows how he never stopped loving Marilyn (he was convinced that the Kennedys had her killed, wow), never stopped being Catholic, had a soft sport for kids, and was unimpressed by anyone that he thought rude or "not a stand up guy." This is not really a baseball book, but if you love baseball or are intrigued by DiMaggio, it is a great read.
Profile Image for James Koenig.
107 reviews2 followers
October 8, 2020
The book gave me an insight into the personality of Joe DiMaggio. It does not cite all the many great baseball moments of Joe’s career, rather, it gives a revealing portrait of a baseball icon in his twilight years.

I enjoyed the book as it gave me an insight on one of the greatest players in Yankee history. - Joe DiMaggio. The author, Dr. Rock Positano (podiatrist), befriended the great DiMaggio while successfully treating the Yankee Clipper’s heal spur. Impressed with the good Doctor, DiMaggio, extremely protective of his image and private life, cautiously invited Positano into the small inner circle of DiMaggio’s contacts. Positano shared many lunches and suppers with DiMaggio, and it is from these intimate meetings that the author relates his stories which make up the bulk of this book. Many of the related stories are inconsequential in themselves, yet, shed some light on inner workings of Joe DiMaggio.

Joe DiMaggio was an extremely private man. His image as a legendary New York Yankee was something he never wanted sullied. DiMaggio went to great lengths to protect his image, ruthlessly cutting off friendships and even family if they violated his strict rules of behavior. Any reference to his infamous marriage to Marilyn Monroe was automatic grounds for dismissal. Surprising DiMaggio by bringing a friend to dinner, or asking for a favor was also a deemed a grave offense resulting in immediate banishment. DiMaggio was as protective of his image as the Secret Service is in protecting the president. He lived within his own self-imposed bubble, fiercely protective of himself and his beloved New York Yankees organization.

The last several chapters brought hot tears to my eyes, as the author describes the inevitable decline of the great Yankee Clipper. He died of lung cancer in 1999.

Author Positano obviously worships the legendary DiMaggio. He writes about how incredibly fortunate he was to gain rare entrance into the DiMaggio inner circle.
As a result of his hero worship of DiMaggio, perhaps his writing shows a bias for protecting his legendary friend from telling stories that would tarnish the legend. Certainly, the absolutely shameful manner in which DiMaggio treated his first wife and son is a glaring example of the callousness in DiMaggio’s soul. This horrible treatment of family is mentioned in passing but never truly explained. The icy coldness within DiMaggio’s soul is stunning.

Despite the hero worship element to his writing, Dr. Positano has written a valuable entry into the life of Joe DiMaggio. For baseball fans like myself, it is a worthy read.

Profile Image for Zach Koenig.
786 reviews11 followers
May 29, 2021
Joe DiMaggio is one of the most famous baseball players of all-time. Not only a mega-star on the sport's most prestigious team (NY Yankees), but also playing in an era where a baseball player could be a national celebrity atop all others. However, Joltin' Joe was famously recalcitrant--refusing almost all interviews or any prying entrees into his personal life/thoughts. As such, it took a very late-in-late friendship to pry open the mystery of the man behind the facade.

"Dinner with DiMaggio" is basically the story of Joe Di's 1990s-era friendship with Dr. Rock Positano, a foot doctor specializing in non-surgical treatment (Joe's heel spurs were a primary factor in his playing decline/retirement). For whatever reason, DiMaggio let Rock in (at least as much as Joe let anyone in) to his inner circle, sharing many meals and much time together. Despite the reams of newsprint dedicated to the Yankee Clipper over the years, perhaps the most insight into his character comes from this simple friendship.

In the early portions of "Dinner", I was worried that it would simply be one man fawning over the inexplicable opportunity to get close to his boyhood idol. More than anything, it seemed like Dr. Positano was enabling Joe's his surly and often rude/childish behavior. But as the book progresses, Positano takes a deeper, warts-and-all dive into Joe's personality foibles. Truth be told, DiMaggio is made out to be a rather unpleasant figure--constantly stewing over past slights or future inconveniences, womanizing awkwardly well into his 80s, and openly rude in almost every imaginable social situation. A vindictive, sharp-tongued monster most of the time.

Yet, Positano tries to wade through the harsh upbraidings and find the humanity in Joe, delving into his Italian heritage, familial relationship (or lack thereof), and even landing the "big fish": insights into the Marilyn Monroe relationship.

Though containing almost no "baseball action" whatsoever, "Dinner with DiMaggio" still manages to be a compelling baseball "bio" (of sorts) due to the unprecedented access to its titular figure. In some ways, a more definitive bio of the legend will likely never be penned.
Profile Image for Ken Heard.
758 reviews13 followers
January 2, 2020
If you can get through the fact that Dr. Positano likes to talk about schmoozing with the stars - he could call the New York Mayor on the phone at any time and hung with Elizabeth Vargas of ABC News - you can find some tidbits in his book about Joe DiMaggio.

However, that's also tainted because Positano spends half the time of his book talking about how he's a "stand-up guy" in DiMaggio's eyes because he honors his friend. Honors? I think if DiMaggio were alive to read Dinner With, he'd put Positano in the permanent Siberian outcast and shun him for life that he writes about. The chapter about DiMaggio asking about Viagra was cringing for that sake.

We know that DiMaggio was insecure and somewhat moody from other books. Positano shows that in his own stories and that's what makes this book stand out more than the usual 2-star sports bios. At times, this is a cheerleading book, but at others it's a no-holds barred look at DiMaggio and his ways. There are also some poignant moments; DiMaggio taking about his love for Marilyn Monroe is an example - if it's true.

Positano said he took notes after dinners with DiMaggio, so he could get the quotes mostly right. Still, there seems to be some embellishment on the part of DiMaggio saying how great Positano was and that also drops the sincerity of this book.

I almost ditched the book after the first 60 pages or so, but hung with it. I was glad I stuck with it because there are some parts in here that are worth the effort to get to. Overall, though, I kept wondering what DiMaggio would think of the book had he read it. Probably not a good impression.
Profile Image for Nick Leshi.
52 reviews
January 12, 2018
Dr. Positano shares a lot of great memories about Joe DiMaggio's life, which I appreciated. As a diehard Yankees fan, I knew some of them, but there were many others here that surprised me, so for that alone this was worth the read. Some of the writing comes across as basic though, and I wonder how authentic some of the quotes were if he was writing from memory, even though he does preface the book by stating that he kept copious notes after his dinners. I wonder how Joltin' Joe would have reacted to this book, since he was so protective of his privacy and public image. The book paints him in a good light (I especially loved the heartfelt final chapter), but Positano is honest enough not to pull any punches, confirming some of the negative personality traits that had been revealed by other biographers.
Profile Image for Socrate.
6,745 reviews272 followers
November 18, 2021
Viața lui Joe a fost un puzzle și numai el avea toate piesele. El credea că, dacă nimeni nu ar putea pune totul laolaltă, ar avea mai multă libertate. Joe a avut întotdeauna controlul. Insistența sa asupra intimității este esențială pentru a-l înțelege pe Joe ca idol și bărbat.
„Doc, există o diferență – o mare diferență – între secret și intimitate”, mi-a explicat Joe într-o zi, în timp ce treceam prin labirintul traficului din Manhattan. „Secretul este atunci când ascunzi ceva, dar confidențialitatea este atunci când ai informații care sunt privilegiate, care nu aparțin nimănui, cu excepția familiei. Acesta este motivul pentru care nu spui nimănui despre copiii tăi, viața ta de familie sau viața ta personală. O vor folosi împotriva ta dacă ar putea. Întotdeauna trebuie să-ți protejezi familia.”
Profile Image for Jeff Olson.
206 reviews1 follower
June 30, 2021
What a heartfelt book, how is it that sometimes your patient becomes your best friend...Divine intervention possibly? While Joe Dimaggio was seaking some help for his foot problem, he finds Dr.Rock Positano who not only fixes his foot but is there for Joe as a trusting "buon amico" in his last 10 years while he stays part time in the Big Apple. I will keep thoughts from this book in my mind and will always treasure reading it...but I feel sorry that Joe could not help Dr. Rock with his batting swing!
Profile Image for Chris Dean.
343 reviews5 followers
March 11, 2018
Wonderful read about the final years in the life of an American icon. Positano had extraordinary access to The Yankee Clipper and he would be proud of the way the good doctor relayed their relationship. Posiano's book ensures that Dimaggio's legacy as a hero is secure and that it's ok for those heroes to show a bit of humanity. The chapter with Joe's final at-bat at a Coney Island batting cage is a great story....very glad that it had the chance to be shared.
Profile Image for Ashley Hedden.
5,259 reviews43 followers
October 2, 2022
Dinner with DiMaggio: Memories of An American Hero was a great read by Rock Positano and John Positano. This book talks about the real Joe DiMaggio by one of the few people who really knew him. There are stories about Ted Williams, Lou Gehrig, his Yankees teammates on the field, Marilyn Monroe, Frank Sinatra, as well as others. These stories are told by Dr. Rock Positano, one of DiMaggio’s closest confidante’s in New York. I enjoyed reading this book and can’t wait to read more by the author.
2 reviews
October 17, 2024
Really interesting insight to one of the greatest of all time. However, not a flattering look at the Yankee Clipper or his Dr friend. After reading this, I wouldn’t want to dine with either. Joe comes off as grumpy, petty and sometimes mean. The Dr comes off as an arrogant, unbearable star f’r. The rosie light he tries to constantly paint himself in, makes some of the stories hard to believe.
197 reviews
September 1, 2017
A great in-depth account of Joe DiMaggio's personality and traits. An American icon who put most emphasis on respect and tradition. Never one to go out to dinner without a jacket and tie. A man of volatile changes in moods. A decent man who loved his country and baseball, but ultimately died a lonely man.
33 reviews
October 27, 2017
An american icon who achieved success in his beloved sport and the financial world. Unfortunately his family relationships were not good. He was very conscious of who he was and achieved the respect he desired but not the love he needed. Sadly, he realized this at the end of his life. The writer did a great job of kindly and honestly capturing this flawed yet very good man.
103 reviews1 follower
February 21, 2018
A rare view of an American Icon! Being born in 1940 Joltin Joe was a little ahead of my time. The west coast had the Pacific Coast League until the 1960's . A look at the Man and his respect for the Game is quite different than the player's and Owners of today who have been corrupted by Money and Media.
I respect Joe's Principles as to Honor and being a Stand up guy. scs
6 reviews
June 20, 2019
Dining With an Icon

Joe DiMaggio was (still is) an American icon. Old school ballplayer who appeared to have had no tolerance for those people who tried to invade his privacy, be it the media or the public. Dr. Positano has done a great job in sharing the good, the bad and the ugly of the time he spent with the Yankees Clipper. A great read.
Profile Image for Jim Swike.
1,880 reviews20 followers
November 16, 2017
This is great read. This is not a sports book. This is a book of DiMaggio, and how being an Italian American was difficult. The real DiMaggio, a very private person, comes to life in this book. You do not have to be a Yankees fan to enjoy this. Joe DiMaggio, a true American Hero. Enjoy!
Profile Image for dean.
8 reviews2 followers
May 12, 2018
Good story, but found it tough to get past the false dialogue.

Would have given it 4 stars, but it felt a bit self-indulgent. Too much dialogue as well, especially for events that happened years before.
Profile Image for Cody.
4 reviews10 followers
March 28, 2019
A 330 page pretentious, poorly written humble brag. Based Positano’s description of DiMaggio and their close relationship, I get the impression that DiMaggio would have exiled him to Siberia for writing this exploitive garbage. Stay far away from this one.
Profile Image for JRC1789.
6 reviews1 follower
April 29, 2020
More of a "photo album" than a biography. The stories DiMaggio shares with Dr. Pakistani for several years over dinners at created snapshots of the Yankee Clipper's life both in and off the field. A very good compliment to a biography.
692 reviews31 followers
July 1, 2017
In "Dinner with DiMaggio," Positano shares a side of the legend in the way only a dear friend could.

My copy was a gift from Goodreads First Reads.
Profile Image for Aaron.
54 reviews1 follower
August 10, 2017
Every once in a while you get a book from the library not knowing if you'll actually read it, much less like it. I was pleasantly surprised.
Profile Image for Corinne Driscoll.
179 reviews
August 12, 2017
The author said he would show us the other side of DiMaggio. As far as I can tell he's still the same private rigid personality everyone else wrote about.
2 reviews
September 12, 2017
Awesome Read

The stories told are incredible to read. Yankee fans and all baseball history buffs will love this book. Personal and informative.
Profile Image for Ashley.
132 reviews33 followers
June 5, 2018
This book completely changed my opinion of DiMaggio for the better. I'm really happy I picked it up.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews

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