Joe DiMaggio

One of the best outfielders in baseball history ate spaghetti in Richmond!

Joe DiMaggio and Phil Rizzuto spent most of a three-hour layover in Richmond eating spaghetti at the Café Napoli near the depot on April 12, 1950.

The New York Yankee baseball superstars were en route from out west to Cincinnati for an exhibition game with the Reds, and had stepped out of the Pennsylvania Station, seeking a good restaurant.

Joe DiMaggio played his entire career – from 1936 through 1951 – with the New York Yankees, and was nicknamed ‘Yankee clipper’ because of his graceful fielding, and ‘Joltin’ Joe’ because of his powerful hitting. 

On April 12, 1950 he ate spaghetti with some teammates in Richmond’s Café Napoli, on Fort Wayne Avenue. Local residents were awed to be in the company of sports greatness, and tried not to gawk. All agreed Joltin’ Joe appeared to have been pleased by local Italian cuisine.