For more than 20 years, a statue of Joe DiMaggio has called Little Italy home since Piazza DiMaggio was dedicated to the New York baseball player in 1998. The legendary Yankees ballplayer even attended the ceremony when the plaza was dedicated to him.

But late last week, the statue in the plaza at 1004 S. Bishop St. was abruptly removed and is now being relocated to suburban Rosemont, along with the rest of the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame’s collection. The move is angering some Little Italy residents who believe the baseball player’s sculpture outside the hall of fame should be city property.