1955 SI Cover: Leo Durocher, his wife, Actress Larraine Day, Willie Mays Baseball, New York Giants Photographed by: Hy Peskin


Baseball Biography Project from Society for American Baseball Research Gus Zernial by Marc Aaron


During spring training in 1951, agents for Marilyn Monroe brought her to the White Sox training camp in Pasadena, California, to take some photos to promote a new movie. Monroe posed for several publicity shots, in high heels and shorts, with Zernial. Joe DiMaggio first noticed Monroe when he saw the newspaper photos and wondered how Zernial got so lucky. DiMaggio met with Gus at an exhibition game and teased Zernial about being the chosen ballplayer in the publicity photos.

Zernial suggested that DiMaggio contact the press agent who set up the photo shoot and arrange to meet Marilyn. DiMaggio eventually married Monroe. According to Zernial, DiMaggio stopped talking to Gus because of lingering jealousy and because he believed that Zernial had informed the media that Gus was responsible for his first date with the movie star.


Baseball Todd s Dugout Established August 29th, 2000

http://www.baseballtoddsdugout.com/guszernial.html

( A site with some nice write-ups and photos from a current Texas Ranger fan from Plano, Texas, focusing primarily on any and all Major League Players from the 1950's - 1970's)