On this day in history, March 8, 1999, Yankees legend Joe DiMaggio dies, 'cultural icon' on and off field
Baseball star Joe DiMaggio, a towering figure of American popular culture both on and off the field, died in Hollywood, Florida, after a battle with lung cancer on this day in history, March 8, 1999. The New York Yankees legend was 84 years old. "Joltin' Joe" DiMaggio was a nine-time World Series champion, three-time American League MVP and, most memorably on the field, hit safely in 56 straight games in 1941 — an incredible record of consistency which has never been approximated since. DiMaggio died, according to some accounts, whispering the name of his life-long love and ex-wife, also an American idol, Marilyn Monroe. Others close to him disputed the deathbed claim.