In 1951 , Joe DiMaggio saw a picture of Monroe with Chicago White Sox players Joe Dobson and Gus Zernial . He did not ask the man who arranged the photo to set up a date for him and Monroe until 1952 . In 1951 , Joe DiMaggio saw a picture of Monroe with Chicago White Sox players Joe Dobson and Gus Zernial , but did not ask the man who arranged the stunt to set up a date until 1952 .