Hello.
Here are several book citations that mention what you're talking about:
'A disproportionate number of major leaguers served their time running
military conditioning programs as recreation specialists, and they had
plenty of time for baseball. Military bases created their own baseball
teams, which did battle against similar teams from other bases and
other branches of the service as ultracompetitive commanders schemed
to build the best ballclub. These games provided much-needed
entertainment for the troops, but the public found it disquieting that
so many men were spending much of their service time throwing
baseballs instead of hand grenades...
...In the spring of 1944 a small scandal erupted when it became public
that of the 350-plus major leaguers who had completed basic training,
nearly 300 were still stationed in the United States and many were
playing ball. Embarrassed Army Chief of Staff George Marshall ordered
their dispersal overseas, but the powerhouse teams were simply
re-created elsewhere. The Army's Seventh Air Force team, headquartered
in Hawaii, became the military's reigning dynasty. Former Yankees
Ruffing, DiMaggio, and Joe Gordon all played for the team, as did Phil
Rizzuto, who was obtained on loan for an important series of games,
then returned to the Navy. Red Sox pitcher Tex Hughson spoke for many
players when he later said, "I fought World War II with a bat and
glove."'
source: page 196
Yankees Century : 100 Years of New York Yankees Baseball (Houghton Mifflin, 2002)
by Glenn Stout, Richard A. Johnson
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0618085270/
"Most of the big-time players were going: Ruffing, Judnich, Lodigiani,
McCormick, were now joined on the Army Air Force squad by a good young
catcher (another future Pinstriper), Charlie Silvera, along with a
fine AL infield : the A's Ferris Fain at first base, Joe Gordon of the
Yankees at second, and the Browns' Bob Dillinger at third. The Navy
team that would serve as their main competition was also loaded with
stars, including the Cardinals' Big Cat (and All-Star) first baseman,
Johnny Mize, and Brooklyn's young Harold Henry Reese at short...
... On the whole, you couldn't have a better war. The general was
Brigadier William J. Flood, a terrific fan who spared his stars all
the normal Army tedium . There was a beach for the Seventh Army Air
Force, supposed to be R&R for the fliers.But the ballplayers had
privileges, too. So, they'd play a game, or they'd work out at
McClellan Field, then they'd loll in the sand and surf, get a tan,
drink some beer, tell some lies."
source: pages 211-212, Joe DiMaggio : The Hero's Life (Simon &
Schuster, 2000) by Richard Ben Cramer
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0684853914/
'Headlined "Report on Joe DiMaggio," it said that "Joe probably
realizes better than anyone else that he is on the spot and that to
most GIs in combat zones his job smacks of special privilege."
source: page 38, "Yank, The Army Weekly: Reporting The Greatest
Generation" (Fulcrum Publishing, 2004), by Barrett McGurn
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1555912966/
------------
search strategy:
a9.com: books: dimaggio army hawaii
I hope this helps. |
Clarification of Answer by
juggler-ga
on
29 Dec 2005 09:26 PST
Hmmm, don't you think that some "string pulling" is implied in the above citations?
"Military bases created their own baseball
teams, which did battle against similar teams from other bases and
other branches of the service as ultracompetitive commanders schemed
to build the best ballclub."
"In the spring of 1944 a small scandal erupted when it became public
that of the 350-plus major leaguers who had completed basic training,
nearly 300 were still stationed in the United States and many were
playing ball. Embarrassed Army Chief of Staff George Marshall ordered
their dispersal overseas, but the powerhouse teams were simply
re-created elsewhere. The Army's Seventh Air Force team, headquartered
in Hawaii, became the military's reigning dynasty. Former Yankees
Ruffing, DiMaggio, and Joe Gordon all played for the team, as did Phil
Rizzuto, who was obtained on loan for an important series of games,
then returned to the Navy. Red Sox pitcher Tex Hughson spoke for many
players when he later said, "I fought World War II with a bat and
glove."'
"The general was
Brigadier William J. Flood, a terrific fan who spared his stars all
the normal Army tedium . There was a beach for the Seventh Army Air
Force, supposed to be R&R for the fliers.But the ballplayers had
privileges, too. So, they'd play a game, or they'd work out at
McClellan Field, then they'd loll in the sand and surf, get a tan,
drink some beer, tell some lies.""
If you feel that you didn't get your $5 worth here, I would suggest
that you apply for a refund:
http://answers.google.com/answers/refundrequest
|
