The Major Leaguers
Between 1941 and 1946, more than 500 ballplayers set aside their diamond careers to serve their nation during a time of global crisis. Many volunteered while the others entered as result of the Selective Service draft. Whether through a sense of obligation, a call to duty or responding to their draft board, these men served at the needs of the armed forces.
As the topics of our articles center on baseball militaria artifacts, our research and story-telling invariably touches upon individual ballplayers’ careers within the armed forces regardless of their assigned duties while in the service. Below are those major leaguers we have covered.
*Bold denotes election to the Baseball Hall of Fame
- Morrie Arnovich
- Gene Bearden
- Al Brancato
- Cliff Chambers, Bill Brenner, Tony Saso
- Sam Chapman – A Lifetime Collection of Images: Star Baseball Player, Sam Chapman, the Tiburon Terror and Wartime Naval Aviator
- Gordon “Mickey” Cochrane
- Joe Cronin
- Leon Day
- Joe DiMaggio
- Marv Felderman
- Mickey Harris
- Sam “Toothpick” Jones
- Charlie Keller
- Dario Lodigiani
- Barney McCosky
- Howard Robinson “Lefty” Mills
- Johnny Mize
- Hugh Mulcahy (and Joe Gee)
- Mickey Owen
- Pee Wee Reese
- Phil Rizzuto
- Red Ruffing
- Jack Ryan
- Enos Slaughter
- Billy Sullivan, Jr.
- Birdie Tebbetts
- Ted Williams