Joe's story cannot be told without including his two brothers Vince and Dom.  It was Vince who had encouraged Joe to play baseball earlier in his childhood.  Vince thought from the beginning that Joe could make money playing baseball.  Vince had more passion than Joe did when they were younger.  Joe's success eventually helped to cause a riff between the two brothers who had once been close.

Vince already had a contract with the San Francisco Seals when Joe was invited and contracted by the team.  In 1937, Vince made his break into the major leagues and was purchased by Boston.  By the 1939 season he was playing for the Braves, but they sold him to Kansas City.  He was then bought by Cincinnati for the 1940 season.  After that season, he was then sold to Pittsburgh.

Just as Vince was leaving the Seals, Dom was signed with them for the 1937 season.  He played as an outfielder.  People accused Charley Graham, President of the club, of signing him for publicity instead of talent.  However, throughout the season, Dom showed the naysayers that he had talent and deserved to be on the team.  Dom was purchased by the Red Sox for the 1940 season and played well that year.  The following was a popular chant of the fans after Dom made his major league debut:

"Who's better than his brother Joe? Dominic DiMaggio!"

The three DiMaggio brothers were in Florida for spring training of the 1940 season.  Joe was in St. Pete, Vince was at Tampa with the Reds, and Dom was in Sarasota with the Red Sox.

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