America's Sex Symbol & Baseball

With the advent of television came the sex symbol. From the 1920s, even earlier, sensual beauties blessed the silver screen inflaming the lusts of entire generations. It wasn't just the face. Nor the body. Nor was it particularly the style of the time and definitely not the acting ability. It was all about the face AND the body! Oooooh, la la!

Today's step back in time revisits the foremost figure in American sexual iconography and her connection to America's once favorite pastime, baseball.

This Day in History: January 14, 1954

Marilyn Monroe Timeline

For some of you, the name Norma Jeane may not ring a bell but once the name Marilyn Monroe is mentioned its tone will surely be loud and clear. Her connection to baseball was not totally interest in the game but instead baseball's legend, the 'Yankee Clipper'. Joe DiMaggio had just ended his career as a legendary New York Yankee when they met in 1952. Marilyn Monroe, on the other hand, was at the beginning of hers, on the verge of international super stardom.

Marilyn Monroe and Joe DiMaggio in the 1950s

Photo: Getty Images

On January 14, 1954, Marilyn Monroe married Joe DiMaggio. Theirs was the romance of the century: stunning Hollywood actress marrying all-American baseball legend. At this point in time, Marilyn Monroe was already mesmerizing those around her quickly becoming the newest starlet. The tall, handsome hero of the country’s national pastime had captured  the heart of a starlet who would become one of Hollywood's sexiest actresses.

Leaving her husband while on honeymoon in Japan to entertain troops in Korea, however, did not set well with DiMaggio. The marriage lasted 274 days with Marilyn accusing her husband of "mental cruelty." He could not handle his wife's Sex Appeal & Mystique.

As Monroe filmed the now-famous scene in which she stands over a subway grate with the air blowing up her skirt, a crowd of onlookers and press gathered; Wilder himself had reportedly arranged the media attention. As her skirt blew up again and again, the crowd cheered uproariously, and DiMaggio, who was on set, became irate. [Source: History.com]

A Bit of Marilyn's Background...

Marilyn was born Norma Jeane Mortenson June 1, 1926 in Los Angeles, California. She endured a difficult childhood that was anything but glamorous, instead filled with insecurity and instability. She spent her adolescence in and out of foster care and an orphanage. In spite of her immense vulnerability and extreme odds being cast against her, Norma Jeane went on to become one of the world's biggest and most enduring sex symbols, Marilyn Monroe.

"Being a sex symbol is a heavy load to carry, especially when one is tired, hurt and bewildered." –– Marilyn Monroe

2014 marked the 60th anniversary of Marilyn Monroe and Jo DiMaggio's wedding. Photos are available HERE...

And every week, until his death in 1999, DiMaggio had fresh roses delivered to Monroe’s crypt twice a week. He never remarried, and on his deathbed, his last words were, “‘I’ll finally get to see ­Marilyn again.”

Joseph Paul "Joe" DiMaggio (November 25, 1914 – March 8, 1999)

Reginald Kenneth Dwight "Reggie" pays tribute to Norma Jean... 
[BTW If you don't recognize the name, Reggie is Elton john!]

Marilyn Monroe (born Norma Jeane Mortenson, June 1, 1926 – August 5, 1962)