The Baseball Subplot

Santiago's thoughts about baseball, especially the great DiMaggio, provide a mental anchor and a measure of his own worth.

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The Yankees and DiMaggio

The Yankees and DiMaggio A Shared Passion Santiago and Manolin discuss baseball. The old man insists the Yankees cannot lose, and he fears only the Indians. He admires the great DiMaggio, who plays despite a bone spur. DiMaggio becomes a symbol of perfection and endurance. The Boy's Respect Manolin says the best fisherman is Santiago, not any baseball player. This lifts the old man's spirits. He thinks of DiMaggio's father, a fisherman, and imagines taking the great DiMaggio fishing. The baseball talk bonds them. This conversation is a prelude to Santiago's solitary ordeal.

Baseball During the Fight

Baseball During the Fight A Mental Escape While the fish tows him, Santiago thinks of the baseball games. He wonders who won, and he imagines DiMaggio's reaction to his own struggle. He compares his own pain to a bone spur, deciding that his is worse. The Code of the Fisherman He thinks of the great John J. McGraw and other managers. These thoughts help him endure. He tells himself that DiMaggio would stay with the fish as long as he does. Baseball becomes a measure of manhood. This thread shows how Santiago uses cultural icons to bolster his own identity.

The Final Game

The Final Game A Last Thought As the sharks attack, Santiago thinks of baseball less. He is too tired. But when he imagines DiMaggio's pride, he finds strength to drive the harpoon home. He thinks, "I hope the great DiMaggio would be proud of me today." The End of the Game After the return, Santiago asks Manolin to bring the newspapers so he can catch up on the games. Baseball remains a link to the world. But now his own story has become as legendary as any game. The subplot closes with the boy's promise to bring the papers.

evening before the eighty-fifth day

during the second day at sea

third day at sea, after sunset