WWII and Baseball
When the bombs fell on Pearl Harbor December 7, 1941, this was the catalyst sending the United States into World War 2. America needed manpower from all sources, and baseball was not saved from this. The MLB would be changed by this event in history forever, and the stars of the game were ready to serve.
The Players
Hank Greenberg, of the Tigers, would start his service before the bombing, and other players like Joe DiMaggio and Ted Williams would soon pick up the flag and fight the Axis powers. Negro League players would also fight for their country, even if they were in segregated units: Leon Day and Jackie Robinson are but two examples. (Jackie stayed in the States and Leon arrived on Utah Beach on D-Day in 1944). Baseball was rocked, with many fans at home also doing their part to contribute to the war effort. Day games were common and bond sales were held, as well as donation of supplies for the war machine, like tin, rubber and anything else. The war pilfered many minor league clubs, and as a result, you see the rise of women playing in baseball in the AAGPBL (All American Girls Professional Baseball League). Major league stars like Honus Wagner and Jimmie Foxx would serve as managers of teams in the league.
The Change in Atmosphere
The whole atmosphere changed January 15, 1942 when Kennesaw Landis, baseball’s czar, received a letter from Franklin Roosevelt urging the baseball season to carry on as scheduled. The “Green-Light Letter” was needed for baseball fans and owners to help with the growth of morale for the people back in the States. Many things in America changed once the war started, gone (for the moment) were spring training games and night games. Day games were more common so workers could go to the factories in the afternoon and evening and not miss the games. The game of baseball made the stresses of the war less intense than before, and many people flocked to the games, Negro League, semi-pro, and professional.
The Chaos of War
The chaos of the war made baseball crazier than normal. The Yankees were still on top, but the Cardinals made a push for the crown, winning it in 1942 and 1944, with the Yankees winning in 1943. The St. Louis Browns, the laughing stocks of the league, won the league pennant in 1944 for their only title and made an attempt at the title in 1945, losing out to the Tigers. Most of the players on that Browns team were 4-F, or physically unfit to serve, which makes the team all that crazier. It just went on to show that any team can win at the game of baseball, even those with abnormalities and not able to serve their country. Other teams were hit hard by the war, the Phillies made the cellar their own personal playground and had their owner banned for life in 1943 when it was found out he bet on the games.
When the War Ended
When the war ended, the players came home, many with commendations. Greenburg had the biggest impact, helping the Tigers make it to the World Series and winning it all in 1945. Joe DiMaggio and Ted Williams made it back too, helping their clubs to World Series appearances in 1946 and 1947. Other stars of the game that served in the war included Stan Musial, Yogi Berra, Enos Slaughter, Bob Feller, and Bob Lemon. Once the war ended, the game evolved more, and baseball desegregated in accordance with Jackie Robinson’s breaking of the color line. With that, many people were introduced to the Negro Leagues and desegregation became commonplace. What an experience the war was and how it changed the game forever. We are forever grateful for those who served and then came back right to the game. Likewise we will not forget those brave ones who served and did not come home.