Joe DeMaestri – Baseball Legend
January 25th, 2009 | Posted by Paul |
Joseph Paul DeMaestri, (also known as “Oats” or “Froggy”), had a long and successful baseball career, culminating with his 1961 season with the New York Yankees. His final game with the New York Yankees was on Sept 27th 1961.
Born on Sunday, December 9, 1928, in San Francisco, California, DeMaestri was 22 years old when he broke into the big leagues on April 19, 1951, with the Chicago White Sox. Prior to that he had been signed by the Boston Red Sox as a free agent back in 1946.
Joe DeMaestri’s batting averages and statistics can be seen over at The Baseball Almanac. I have to admit – I don’t know much about baseball – but my wife Sue is a great New York Yankees fan.
Joe DeMaestri - New York Yankees short stop
And as that baseball card above shows, American baseball players had a wide range of uniforms across the different teams and years. Over at Baseball Reference you can see all the uniforms that Joe would have worn over the years with his teams at the Chicago White Sox, St. Louis Browns, Philadelphia Athletics, Kansas City Athletics, and finally the New York Yankees.
And as you can see from below, Joe is alive and kicking! 
He graciously agreed to sign this official American baseball league ball for Sue. The message is: “To Sue. Joe DeMaestri. Happy New Year “2009″“:
Joe Demaestri signed baseball 2009
The more observant amongst you might wonder how me in little old England would know about Mr Joe DeMaestri of the New York Yankees – and how he agreed to sign a baseball for Sue?
Well, my good friend Donna in sunny California just happened to mention she was going to a party over the Christmas/New Year period where young Mr DeMaestri would be present. And, after careful arranging, Joe agreed to sign the baseball for Sue. Well Done Donna! And what a nice guy Joe DeMaestri is.
Note: This major league baseball signed by Joe DeMaestri is NOT for sale
