What role do DiMaggio, Perico and Martin play in the novel" The Old Man And The Sea"?

What role do DiMaggio, Perico and Martin play in the nover The Old Man And The Sea? 

 

Ans: Santiago loved baseball and a renowned baseball player DiMaggio. During the course of his struggle to catch the big Marlin, he is alone, tired, injured, hungry and sleepless. It is the second day of his struggle. He knows that the night will soon come. He begins to think of the league matches of baseball. But he does not know the result of these matches as he is far out in the sea.
Santiago has confidence about the potentialities of DiMaggio. To him, DiMaggio does all things, concerning the game of baseball, in a perfect manner, even though he has pain of bone spur in his heel. He has gained great achievements in the baseball game or contests. He is a champion in the baseball game.
Santiago compares himself with his favourite baseball champion, -DiMaggio, because he is, like him, also fighting against the huge fish Marlin very bravely when he has acute pain in his weak back and when his'hands are badly wounded and lacerated. He remembers all these characters to remember his youth. He gains courage, determination and endurance from these characters. He considers these characters as the role models of will-power, strength, firmness, resoluteness, commitment, dedication and bravery.