January 3, 1943 – In a surprising move, Uncle Sam decides to draft 37 year-old Yankee right-hander Red Ruffing into the Army, where he will be assigned to non-combative duty, tossing baseballs and leading the soldiers’ physical fitness training… The future Hall of Famer lost four toes on his left foot in a mining…
Pinterest Instagram Facebook Youtube On November 1, 1942, Larry MacPhail, president and general manager of the Brooklyn Dodgers, and one of the brightest innovators in the game, enters the United States Army for service in World War II. When he returns in 1945, he accepts a similar role with the Yankees, where he helps that…
1942 – Ted Williams of the Boston Red Sox enlists as a Naval Aviator. Williams will finish the season with his team, as will many other players who enlisted or await the draft, which moves slowly despite the early discouragements of the war. Other American League regulars of 1941 enlisted in the military service include Johnny Berardino, Sam Chapman, Bob Feller, Joe Grace, Buddy Lewis, Pat Mullin, Johnny Rigney, Johnny Sturm and Cecil Travis.
1942 – Major league owners decide not to allow furloughed players in the military to play for their clubs if based near a game site.
1942 – Major league owners decide not to allow furloughed players in the military to play for their clubs if based near a game site.
1942 – Minor league outfielder Gordon Houston becomes the first player in Organized Baseball to die during active duty in World War II. Houston had played with Texarkana in 1940.
major league owners hold a meeting to discuss regulations to be used during World War II
On January 15, 1942, “I honestly feel it would be best for the country to keep baseball going.” – FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT, U.S. President sends his famed “Green Light” letter to Commissioner Kenesaw Mountain Landis, encouraging major league baseball to continue playing during World War II. Despite the loss of many star players to military…
On January 6, 1942, Cleveland Indians pitching star Bob Feller becomes the first major leaguer to formally enlist in the military for World War II. Feller, who won a league-leading 25 games in 1941, reports to Norfolk, Virginia for duty in the U.S. Navy. Feller will miss the entire 1942, ‘43, and ‘44 seasons before…
1941 – Although having a 3-C draft deferment due to being the sole support of his family, Bob Feller, last year’s American League-leading pitcher with 27 victories for the Indians, becomes the first major leaguer to enlist after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. The 23-year-old navy recruit has already won 107 major league games.
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