They Also Served

Rating:
Summary: Baseball during War Time
Review: While there are literally thousands of books on World War II, few focus on the homeland during the war. "They Also Served" focuses on baseball during the war years. More than 500 baseball players, including greats like Ted Williams and Joe DiMaggio, served their country in the war. Others served their country by playing baseball, giving Americans a brief escape from their war time troubles.

Gilbert's storytelling is focused on four main themes: the developing war, players going to war, the replacement players, and Bert Shepard. Bert Shepard wanted nothing more than to pitch in the major leagues. When he lost his leg in the war, he was able to pitch in the major leagues despite his disability. More remarkable, he had success as a pitcher.

I found the war time decisions that surrounded baseball to be interesting as they are documented in few sources. Baseball could have been cancelled during the war had Franklin Roosevelt not green lighted the sport to continue. To conserve resources, travel restrictions limited team travels. Despite rationing, night games were increased to allow more people the opportunity to attend games after a long work day.

All of the players being shipped off to war allowed the rarest of events, the Chicago Cubs in a World Series. This can be attributed to the shortage of talent in the major leagues. On the same theme, many people were allowed the opportunity to play baseball because of the shortage. These war time players provide a collection of unique stories. People past their prime and others who lacked skills were given the opportunity to play. Because of the distraction from the war these players provided by playing baseball, they served their country too.

Bill Gilbert has written a priceless classic that is both informative and entertaining. I was forntunate to pick up a copy of this book at a book fair. I question why a book such a this valuable piece of a history is out of print.

Rating:
Summary: Baseball during War Time
Review: While there are literally thousands of books on World War II, few focus on the homeland during the war. "They Also Served" focuses on baseball during the war years. More than 500 baseball players, including greats like Ted Williams and Joe DiMaggio, served their country in the war. Others served their country by playing baseball, giving Americans a brief escape from their war time troubles.

Gilbert's storytelling is focused on four main themes: the developing war, players going to war, the replacement players, and Bert Shepard. Bert Shepard wanted nothing more than to pitch in the major leagues. When he lost his leg in the war, he was able to pitch in the major leagues despite his disability. More remarkable, he had success as a pitcher.

I found the war time decisions that surrounded baseball to be interesting as they are documented in few sources. Baseball could have been cancelled during the war had Franklin Roosevelt not green lighted the sport to continue. To conserve resources, travel restrictions limited team travels. Despite rationing, night games were increased to allow more people the opportunity to attend games after a long work day.

All of the players being shipped off to war allowed the rarest of events, the Chicago Cubs in a World Series. This can be attributed to the shortage of talent in the major leagues. On the same theme, many people were allowed the opportunity to play baseball because of the shortage. These war time players provide a collection of unique stories. People past their prime and others who lacked skills were given the opportunity to play. Because of the distraction from the war these players provided by playing baseball, they served their country too.

Bill Gilbert has written a priceless classic that is both informative and entertaining. I was forntunate to pick up a copy of this book at a book fair. I question why a book such a this valuable piece of a history is out of print.