Wood Craft Ben Wood

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Kid from Kapahulu meets DiMaggio at stadium in WWII

NOW THAT BASEBALL season is in full swing, it's time to tell the story of a kid from Kapahulu's encounter with Joe DiMaggio, one of the greatest players in the sport's history. It took place at Honolulu Stadium on King Street, capacity 25,000, during World War II in the early '40s when the New York Yankees' slugger and other pros were playing for military teams. Joe was with the 7th Army Air Force team here. The Air Force was a branch of the Army in those days. Frank "Steiny" Steinmiller, 12, was an aspiring ballplayer. His dad, Albert Steinmiller, was a Yankee fan serving in the Pacific on a Navy sub. Albert had told his wife, the former Harriet Kim, to give Frank ticket money to watch DiMaggio play. DiMag was not only a terrific hitter but a portrait of grace on defense in centerfield, a player every baseball hopeful should see.

So when "Joltin' Joe" played at the stadium, Frank walked there from Kapahulu with his little camera. He stood near the dugout and, lo and behold, who came walking up in his 7th AAF uniform but DiMaggio, the fabulous "Yankee Clipper." Frank went up to him and said, "Mr. DiMaggio, may I take your picture?" He nodded yes and Frank took the photo that appears with this column. Frank grew up to be a good baseball player and was the best all-around athlete at Roosevelt High in his senior year, class of '49. He married the former Virginia Wolf in 1959. Frank celebrates his 76th birthday Saturday. After the war, Joe continued his career with the Yankees and in 1954 married Marilyn Monroe. He died in 1999 at 84 ...

MVT has strong lineup

STARS WILL SHINE at Manoa Valley Theatre's Manoa Marquee fundraiser on the grounds of the Hawaii State Art Museum Sunday April 29 at 4 p.m. Jim Nabors, Jimmy Borges, Cathy Foy, Mary Gutzi, Shari Lynn, and Alethea Train will sing. Emcees are Keoki Kerr and Katie Doyle. The Celebration of the Arts in Hawaii program honors Mark Wong and Guy Merola of Commercial Data Systems, for their support of performance, music and art ... Jasmine Trias is pictured in this week's People magazine with Society of Seven members Tony Ruivivar and Mark Escueta. The article is about where "American Idol" performers are now. Jasmine appeared with the SOS in Vegas at the Flamingo recently ...