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When Baseball Went to War
ISBN: 978-1-60078-126-1
256 pages
8 1/8 x 9 1/8, Hardbound
pub date 11-2008
1-color; photos throughout
When Baseball Went to War tells the compelling and unforgettable story of ballplayers such as Ted Williams, Dom DiMaggio, Jerry Coleman, Bob Feller, Lou Brissie, Johnny Pesky, and many others, combined with never-before-published photographs, and other special features.
CONTACT: Natalie King, Triumph Books, 312.252.1252, n.king@triumphbooks.com
Would you give up a Major League Baseball career to serve your country? Well, during WWII a number of players did just that.
When Baseball Went to War edited by Todd Anton and Bill Nowlin (Foreword by Curt Schilling) tells the stirring and unforgettable stories of ballplayers such as Ted Williams, Dom DiMaggio, Jerry Coleman, Bob Feller, Lou Brissie, Johnny Pesky, Yogi Berra,Monte Irvin, and many more who answered their nationfs call to serve their country.
These men were heroes on the baseball diamond to all their fans, but each soon discovered what true heroism really was through the servicemen and women who never made it home from the war. Many were fortunate to only have to sacrifice a few years of their playing careers; others sacrificed their lives.
With the cooperation of the National WWII Museum, whose 2007 Conference and companion exhibition inspired this book, and the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, When Baseball Went to War provides a comprehensive compilation of the captivating accounts of each of the most well-known ballplayers of that time who also served in the military. With many never-before-published photographs, an audio CD featuring players telling their stories, and contributions from combat veterans, baseball historians, and other important figures; fans will understand once again why these men were part of what is called the Greatest Generation.
From their baseball uniforms to their military uniforms these men were selfless, inspirational and a prime example of exactly what it means to be a true hero away from the roar of the crowd. When Baseball Went to War is a deserving tribute that will allow each of these remarkable men to be remembered for generations to come.
*A Book of the Month Club, History Book Club, and Military Book Club selection*
About the Authors:
Bill Nowlin is a former professor of political science and founder of Rounder Records, a company he founded with two friends in 1970 that has produced over 3,000 record albums of American roots and other musics. Hefs the author of over 20 books on the Red Sox and collaborated with Todd Anton on Fox TVfs gWar Storiesh episode devoted to World War II and baseball. He has been the Vice President of the Society for American Baseball Research since 2004.
Todd Anton is a U.S. History teacher in the Snowline Unified School District, author, and member of The National World War II Museumfs Board of Trustees. He was nominated as gTeacher of the Yearh by the Veterans of Foreign Wars as a result of his and his studentfs nearly 2,000 interviews with veterans of World War II. He collaborated with Nowlin and Curt Schilling on Fox TVfs gWar Storiesh episode devoted to World War II and baseball. Anton lives with his wife Susan and their two children.
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History details major leaguers who served during wartime
by Jim Trageser, 1/31/09, North County Times
After 9/11, when Pat Tillman gave up his roster spot on the Arizona Cardinals and enlisted in the Army, it was front-page news. The idea of someone surrendering the wealth and adoration of a professional athlete's life to go hump a 50-pound rucksack up and down the mountains of Afghanistan struck many as heroic; his death in combat from friendly fire reinforced the reality of what our men and women in uniform sacrifice for the rest of us.
While Tillman was absolutely a hero for his service, there was a time when it was expected that athletes would give up their extraordinary privilege to pick up the mantle of shared sacrifice. A new book from the National WWII Museum provides a history of professional baseball players who gave up their careers to fight for their country from World War I up through Korea.
The list of those major and minor leaguers, as well as members of the Negro Leagues and top college players, who served in the military runs into the thousands. They're all listed in an appendix of "When Baseball Went to War," edited by Todd Anton and Bill Nowlin. The list of those who died in such service, in another appendix, run to over 100.
Among those who are profiled here are Jerry Coleman, the longtime Padres' radio announcer (and member of the broadcasters wing of the Baseball Hall of Fame) and native San Diegan Ted Williams, the late, great Boston Red Sox Hall of Famer. Both get full chapters on their service, perhaps because both men saw their baseball careers interrupted twice ---- for WWII and Korea, and both men saw extensive combat as Marine Corps pilots. (A couple of players from the then-minor league San Diego Padres also are mentioned in some of the chapters on service teams.)
Those fans unfamiliar with Coleman's military service may find the one-chapter first-person account included here easier to digest than the more detailed version contained in his 2008 autobiography, "An American Journey: My Life on the Field, In the Air and On the Air." It's still a remarkably blunt war memoir from a man so elegant on his baseball broadcasts.
Among the more prominent names profiled are Yogi Berra, Bob Feller, Dom DiMaggio, Johnny Pesky and Warren Spahn. Other chapters give overviews of some of the military service leagues set up to entertain troops in the various war zones.
The writing is consistently accessible, and the stories are illustrated with hundreds of photographs. An accompanying audio CD with interviews with some of these men includes Coleman reflecting on his service, as well as Williams and L.A. Dodgers announcer Vin Scully.
Not a comprehensive history, this book is still an invaluable collection of first-person memories of why these men felt not so much compelled but, rather, honored to give up everything to go serve their nation.
by Kurt Rabin, 12/21/08, The Free-Lance Star
IF THERE were such a
Their new book dramatically tells the story of major league baseball players who served in WWII.
Accompanied by many never-before-published photos and an audio CD featuring players telling their own stories, "When Baseball Went to War" tells the inspiring and unforgettable stories of players such as Ted Williams, Dom DiMaggio, Bob Feller, Lou Brissie, Johnny Pesky, Yogi Berra and many others who answered their nation's call to serve.
Nowlin and Anton's book is the perfect antidote for those tired of hearing about today's corked bats, juiced balls, multimillion-dollar contracts and steroid-inflated stats.
Speaking of stats, one baseball WWII veteran, when asked about his
missing baseball years and the gaps in his statistics, said: "Imagine
the gaps in my character
We're grateful he did.
Kurt Rabin is a copy editor
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