Joe DiMaggio Is Given a Pacemaker

Former New York Yankee great Joe DiMaggio underwent heart surgery Feb. 5 in Mt. Sinai Medical Center, a hospital spokeswoman said Wednesday.

According to publicist Judy Stanton, the 72-year-old Hall of Fame member entered the hospital Feb. 3, and was diagnosed as suffering from arrhythmia, a slow heart rate. Following tests, doctors recommended he receive a pacemaker, and the procedure was performed by Dr. Philip Samet.

According to Samet, chief of cardiology at the hospital, DiMaggio will be discharged today.

“He is going home in excellent condition.” Samet said.

DiMaggio was the symbol of the New York Yankees’ power and class both on and off the field during a career that lasted from 1936 until 1951. The right-handed hitting center fielder was named the American League’s most valuable player three times and won two AL batting titles. In 1941, he hit in 56 consecutive games, a streak most baseball experts believe may never be broken.

DiMaggio, one-time husband of Marilyn Monroe, also held numerous World Series records. He played on 10 championship Yankees teams and was voted baseball’s greatest living player in 1969.

DiMaggio, born Nov. 25, 1914, had a .325 lifetime batting average and hit 361 homers.