ever lived and joe dimaggio a great ball player, but two people could not be more different, especially as the public viewed them. yes. they were sort of total opposites, and ironically, you know, most athletes fade away. ted gained immense popularity, became more popular after he retired than before. he became a beloved figure, whereas dimaggio seemed obsessed with the memorabilia market always making money, never picked up a check in his life, insisted on having coat holders and sycophants around him. isn t that interesting how their paths really did cross. everybody loved dimaggio when he played, but as he got older you heard these stories of him being a tough, bitter guy. yeah. well, he considered ted a lifelong rival, and for joe the rivalry was unfriendly.