Gary Bedingfield’s IN WARTIME

Volume 1, Issue 1 Summer 2007

WWW.BASEBALLINWARTIME.CO.UK

Welcome!

question over the next couple of issues, revealing why this subject is so important to me and why I want to ensure these ex-servicemen ballplayers are not forgotten.

elcome to the first I hope to be able to produce this on a Baseball in Wartime quarterly basis and would be grateful newsletter. This website for your feedback. Is this something you W has been in existence in would be pleased to receive or is it just some form or another since 2001, so I another pain-in-the-neck email? figured it was about time it had an accompanying newsletter to keep you I’m also looking for anyone to contribute up-to-date with what’s happening to the newsletter. Do you have a behind the scenes. wartime-related baseball story you want to share? If so, this would be a great The newsletter will bring you forum in addition to the website. information on upcoming events, newly- released books and articles, information Well, if you’ve read this far then I think on authentic apparel and just about I’m on the right track, so please enjoy anything that has some relationship to the first issue. Enjoy what’s left of the baseball in WWII. summer and I look forward to hearing from you soon. Many people ask why baseball in WWII? And I hope to answer that Gary Bedingfield John “Ox” Miller, WWII veteran who passed away August 13, 2007.

Recent Passings Sadly, the following players who served in the military in WWII are no longer with us. Rest in peace.

May July August 10 Dick Kryhoski 11 Shag Crawford 4 Frank Mancuso Kryhoski played seven seasons in the Crawford, a major league umpire from Mancuso suffered a serious injury majors with the Yankees, Tigers, 1956 to 1975, was an Electrician 3rd during a parachute training jump. Browns and Orioles. Class aboard the destroyer USS Walke Read his biography on the Baseball

when she was by a kamikaze plane in Wartime website. 17 Bill Wight in January 1945. Wight played 12 seasons in the majors 13 Phil Rizzuto with the Yankees, White Sox, Red Sox, 16 Carl McNabb Rizzuto played for the Norfolk Naval Tigers, Indians, Orioles, Reds and Served with the 83rd Chemical Training Station ball team in 1943 and Cardinals. (Motorized) Battalion in North Africa. was stationed in Australia.

Read his biography on the Baseball Read his biography on the Baseball June in Wartime website. in Wartime website.

11 Vern Hoscheit Hoscheit, a former minor league 23 Scat Davis 13 Ox Miller Davis made his only major league , was a coach with the Orioles, Miller served with the Army in . Athletics, Angels and Mets from 1968 appearance as a pinch runner for the Dodgers in 1946. Read his biography on the Baseball to 1987. in Wartime website.

Duty, Honor, Country: When Baseball Went To War A Special Conference and The National World War II Museum teams up Hall of Fame players, baseball historians and authors to explore how baseball went to bat on the battlefront and the home front. Among the Exhibition On America’s panelists will be Bob Feller, Morrie Martin, Lou Brissie, Dom DiMaggio, Johnny Pesky, Jerry Pastime in WWII Coleman and Tommy Lasorda.

November 9-11, 2007 I hope to see you there!

New Orleans For further information call the museum on 504-527-6012 xtn 257 or email [email protected]. VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1 Page 2

No Greater Love by Todd Anton

Occasionally, a book comes young paratrooper named But I have never been able to along that inspires you to do Forrest “Lefty” Brewer, lost visit the site of his tragic something. It talks to you, his life there. death despite the fact that it and tells you it’s time to do is only an hour’s flight away. something you’ve been put- Lefty was a minor league Emotionally, I just haven’t ting off for far too long. - property of the been ready. Washington Senators - and That’s the case with Todd had a 20-win season and a Now that I’ve read Todd’s Anton’s No Greater Love no-hitter under his belt when book I’m ready for La Fiere. from Rounder Books. The he entered military service. Todd’s extremely personal heartfelt account of his mis- Probably above all else he is account of his journey to sion to honor his father, a the inspiration behind my honor his father and his inter- WWII/Korean War combat wartime baseball research. views with baseball immortals veteran, has given me the He was one of the first play- including Bob Feller, Dom inspiration to visit a little ers I was aware of to be killed DiMaggio, Johnny Pesky and place in Normandy, France, in WWII and I have studied Bert Shepard, have made me called La Fiere. Geographi- him to such an extent that I realize it is something I sim- No Greater Love: Life Stories from the cally, the place is insignificant feel as if I actually knew him ply HAVE to do. Men Who Saved Baseball Todd Anton today, but on June 6, 1944, a and could call him a friend. Rounder Books $18.95 Thanks, Todd. Order your copy at www.rounderbooks.com

Ebbets Field Flannels

Ebbets Field Flannels is the fabrics finest manufacturer of vintage makes historically-inspired athletic great clothing. Since 1988 they timeless have been creating fine clothing handcrafted clothing, based today. 1942 Great Lakes Naval on their extensive historical Station research, passion for authen- ticity and Ebbets Field Flannels, who belief have just launched a unique that ath- range of WWII service team letic apparel, offer an extensive clothing range of jerseys, caps, of the t-shirts and jackets. early to mid 20th For more infor- I get a lot of emails asking about old baseball equipment and thought I’d century, mation visit their share with you this range of “new” baseball gloves. The Hoboken Collection made of website at from Akadema includes Lou Gehrig and Babe Ruth models as well as the natural 7th Air Force jersey as www.ebbets.com Bob Feller model shown above. For further information contact Akadema worn by Joe DiMaggio Professional at www.akademapro.com.

Ernie Raimondi

The Raimondi family was Raimondi served with the well-wishers. West Oakland’s first baseball 44th Infantry Division in

family back in the 1930s. Billy France. Taking part in the Whilst the park has been the playing ground for many Raimondi was a catcher with Seventh Army’s drive to se- the Oakland Oaks and Al cure the Vosges Mountains, young Oakland ballplayers Raimondi pitched for the Mis- liberate Strasbourg and de- over the years, it has fallen sion Reds. fend Sarreguimines. into disrepair. But now Oak- land Planning Commission Ernie Raimondi caused quite Private First Class Raimondi have just approved a $5 a stir when he signed with the lost his life in combat on million makeover for the San Francisco Seals at the January 26, 1945. park. There will be a dedica- age of 16 in 1936. The young tion ceremony with family third baseman enjoyed a On June 28, 1947, Bayview members in attendance. number of seasons in the Park in Oakland was re- named Ernie Raimondi Park Read the full Ernie Raimondi biography Pacific Coast League and at Baseball in Wartime Ernie Raimondi (seated) with during an official opening Bill Lillard and Dom DiMaggio Texas League before military ©Gary Bedingfield 2007 service beckoned in 1944. celebration that included fam- ily members, city officials and www.baseballinwartime.co.uk [email protected]