Baseball and WW II

So Many Heroes

Wartime Baseball 1943 – 1945

The full impact of the war did not hit baseball until the 1943 season. Up until that season approximately 50 major league players had been drafted. That number would grow to over 500. In addition, three thousand minor-league players were drafted or volunteered.. There was talk of canceling the seasons due to war restrictions on travel and materials, but President Roosevelt, a devoted baseball fan, declared a declaration that baseball must go on to keep America’s spirit alive and provide entertainment to a tired population.

Baseball teams scurried to fill their rosters. Older non drafted MLB players and those who were declared 4F status would play. The remaining roster spots were players who were 4F minor leaguers or youngsters under 18 years of age. Consequently, it changed the quality of the game and skewed MLB statistics. Many formerly good teams sank towards the bottom while some former cellar dwellers ( St. Louis Browns) rose to the top..

MLB had many decorated servicemen. Four that stood out were:

Yogi Berra, New York Yankees. Navy Seaman Second Class 19-year-old Lawrence Berra manned a machine gun as a gunner’s mate on a rocket boat as it ascended upon Omaha Beach during the early hours of the D Day Normandy Invasion. For his valor and service, Yogi received two battle stars, Distinguished Unit Citations, European Theatre Operation ribbons, and a Purple Heart. In 2009 he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Obama,

Ted Williams, Boston Red Sox. Williams served as a Second Lieutenant, and later Captain, naval aviator in the United States Marine Corp in both World War II and the Korean War. He flew 39 missions and received numerous commendations including three Air Metals for Aerial Flight Operations, a World War II Victory Medal, and later the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Bob Feller, Cleveland Indians. Feller enlisted in the U.S. Navy two days after Pearl Harbor. He served in combat on the USS Alabama as a gun captain and later as the Chief Petty Officer. He was awarded 6 campaign ribbons and 8 battle stars. In 2013 the Bob Feller Act of Valor Award was announced. Yogi Berra was its first recipient.

Moe Berg, Cincinnati Reds. Moe was not in the Armed Forces, however, he did serve as a spy in Japan for the Intelligence Agency. His interesting story is told in the book, The Catcher Who Was a Spy by Paul Rudd or in the movie by the same name. Moe was awarded the Medal of Freedom.