[transcribed 2021-06-02]

Throughout *The Old Man and the Sea,* the topic of baseball is frequently
mentioned, both between the old man and the boy, and when the old man is out at
sea alone. Santiago often thinks specifically about the player Joe DiMaggio,
referring to him as “the great DiMaggio”.

When discussing the state of baseball games with the boy, the old man talks
about how the loss of the Yankees “means nothing”, and how, though the team
members were different, DiMaggio “makes the difference.”

Afterwards, the old man tells the boy he would have liked to go fishing with
DiMaggio when he had the chance. He adds, “They say his father was a fisherman.
Maybe he was as poor as we are and would understand.”

Note the boy responds, saying “The great Sisler’s father was never poor and he,
the father, was playing in the Big Leagues when he was my age.” This does not
seem to shake the old man’s connections with DiMaggio, however, as seen later
in the story.

Santiago shows his determination and strength in the story, which is something
he also finds in DiMaggio. As the old man put it, “I must have confidence and I
must be worthy of the great DiMaggio who does all things perfectly even with
the pain of a bone spur in his heel.”

Santiago compares himself to DiMaggio; upon having held the line of his fish
for several days, he thinks to himself, “Do you believe the great DiMaggio
would stay with a fish as long as I will stay with this one?” He figures it
would be likely, since DiMaggio is still young. He also considers that
DiMaggio’s father was a fisherman – this could be part of the connection he
feels with the baseball player.