WWI/The Great War

[jlynch1960]

I can't find Tim's reference above, but I think he hit the highlights.

Mathewson and Grant were finished as players before they enlisted so their careers were not interrupted. I believe Grant was the only player to be killed n action. There was apparently a plaque dedicated to him at the Polo Grounds. I have this vague recollection that this surfaced in a memorabilia auction not too long ago.

Mathewson and Cobb served in the same mustard gas unit, I believe, under Branch Rickey. Mathewson was exposed to the stuff and subsequently developed tuberculosis. He died of it in 1925 during the world series of that year. According to the Ken Burns' Baseball film, players from both teams wore black armbands to commemorate his death. Somehow Cobb got off easy and was sent home after a couple of months in France.

Of the more well know players from the era, Alexander seems to have had a hard time of it. He was drafted, served as an artillery officer, suffered severe shell shock and was made nearly deaf. He drank very heavily afterward and became prone to seizures. He played with the Cubs until 1926 when he was traded to the Cards and won two games in the series against the Yanks and made a tremendous effort in relief in game seven (completely hungover) for a stunning upset of the Yanks.

No doubt a number of less well know players served as well. It would be interesting to know who they werel.

[scooter729]

The 1918 baseball season was cut short, due to many players having to enlist in the war. The World Series was held in early September that year, I believe so players would be able to go fight in the war.

I recently read a book on Red Sox history which alluded to the fact that many Red Sox players did not enlist and continued to play ball, which led to two things: 1) fans being upset against the Red Sox for not enlisting when other players from other teams were serving, and 2) the Red Sox ran up a great record that season, using most of their regulars against other teams using replacement players for their stars who were serving.

[drc]

Many players were soldiers, but the American involvement in the war was short compared to WWII.

[iggyman]

In Ty Cobb's autobiography (My Life In Baseball) he describes the details of what happened on that eventful day when both he and Mathewson were exposed to mustard gas. Here is a quick read (with neat pictures):

http://www.baseballinwartime.com/chemical_warfare.htm

And since we are sorta' talking about baseball and WWI, I would recommend this book: "The Tour to End All Tours: The Story of Major League Baseball’s 1913-1914 World Tour,” written by James E. Elfers. Here is a quick summary:

http://www.udel.edu/PR/UDaily/2004/b...913071003.html

I really have no idea how people used to live without google.......must have been a primative time to live in???

Lovely Day...