Baseball??

I do not understand why Hemingway talked about baseball or the great Dimaggio so much. Did Hemingway want to be the best at writing or did he just like Dimaggio?

Hemingway used DiMaggio in the story because he looked up to him. DiMaggio was the partial handicapped baseball player,who often figures in Hemingways waking thoughts,as well as in his dreams. DiMaggio inspires him with leadership qualities and determination to win, in spite of handicaps.When his left hand cramps and he feels drained of his strength, Hemingway reminds himself of what DiMaggio faced. This image gives the old man stamina to bear his own pain.