Why would Hoe DiMaggio be proud of Santiago?

Like Dimaggio, Santiago had his own physical challenges. Check out this link and it will make sense,

http://www.gradesaver.com/the-old-man-and-the-sea/q-and-a/the-motif-of-joe-dimaggio-and-a-bone-spur-comes-up-again-what-might-bone-spurs-be-symbolic-of-82549/