This is a reproduction of a book published before 1923. This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages; poor pictures; errant marks; etc. that were either part of the original artifact; or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important; and despite the imperfections; have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process; and hope you enjoy this valuable book. ++++ The below data was compiled from various identification fields in the bibliographic record of this title. This data is provided as an additional tool in helping to ensure edition identification: ++++ Rig-véda; Ou; Livre Des Hymnes; Volume 1 Of Bibliothèque Orientale; Volume 1 Of Chefs-d'oeuvre Littéraires De L'Inde; De La Perse; De L'Égypte Et De La Chine 2 Simon Alexandre Langlois Maisonneuve et cie; 1872
#206994 in Books Klima John 2015-05-05 2015-05-05Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.46 x .6 x 6.43l; .0 #File Name: 1250064791432 pagesThe Game Must Go on Hank Greenberg Pete Gray and the Great Days of Baseball on the Home Front in WWII
Review
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful. One of the Very Best Baseball Books I Have Ever ReadBy Bill EmblomThere have been other books written about baseball during World War II but this one tops them all. Having been born in 1943 I found it especially interesting to learn about what was taking place in baseball and America during this time period prior to my becoming a baseball fan. Author John Klima has done an absolutely magnificent job in intertwining the game and the war together throughout the book.We learn of Pete Gray; the one-armed outfielder of the St. Louis Browns; struggling to gain acceptance among his teammates one of which was outright hostile to him. Gray merely wanted a chance to prove what he could do and finally got the chance at the major leagues during the 1945 season. This is also the story of Detroit Tigers' superstar Hank Greenberg leaving the Tigers to join the army and wanting to make a significant contribution to the war effort. He also shows his decency to Pete Gray as they share a few moments prior to the last game of the 1945 season. Cardinals' manager Billy Southworth worrying about his son piloting his airplane over Germany. Crusty arch-conservative baseball Commissioner Judge Landis writing a letter to a man he hated; President FDR; asking if baseball should continue during the war. Washington Senators' owner Clark Griffith; despised by his players; wanting to eek out as much money as he could for his team. To the owners these war-returning players were not heroes; they were liabilities since most were coming back deprived of their skills. Players like Greenberg; Bob Feller; and Warren Spahn went on to Hall of Fame careers while others were consigned to oblivion. Changes were coming to baseball after the death of Landis in 1944 with "Happy" Chandler taking over and having a liberal attitude regarding African-Americans in the game. He was followed by Ford "It's a league matter" Frick following Chandler as commissioner. Additional changes came during the 1950s with franchises moving; new ball parks; and television among others.This book has 398 pages of text and I can truly say this is one of the very best baseball books that I have read this or any other year. You're a baseball fan you say? Then you need to read this book and give it an honored place in your library.5 of 5 people found the following review helpful. he brings up lesser known players like Jake JonesBy WAYNE B TIETZI've read numerous World War 2 books that focused on baseball during the war years. But this book was much different. Rather than just talk about the actual World War 2 baseball seasons of 1942-1945; this book talks about some of the players who put their careers on hold to fight for the USA. The author not only points out the contributions Hank Greenberg and Bob Feller made to their country; he brings up lesser known players like Jake Jones. Being a lifetime White Sox fan I never realized until I read this book that former White Sox player Jake Jones was a World War 2 hero. I couldn't put the book down and finished it in a few days. I'm sure anybody who is interested in World War 2 history and who is interested in baseball history will enjoy reading this book.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Klima brings baseball's greatest crisis to lifeBy Barry SparksAuthor John Klima tells the story of baseball during World War II through three main characters: Hank Greenberg; the Detroit Tigers slugger who spent May 7; 1941; through June 13; 1945; in the military; Pete Gray; a one-armed outfielder who played 77 games for the St. Louis Browns in 1945; and Billy Southworth; Jr.; the son of St. Louis Cardinals manager Billy Southworth Sr. Junior gave up baseball (he never reached the majors) to become a pilot in the military. He died in a plane crash.According to Klima; "World War II created modern baseball; and from that came the evolution of modern professional sports today."Baseball's manpower shortage in World War II was the greatest crisis the game has ever faced; added Klima. Dealing with that crisis; led to a host of developments that would forever change the game. A's manager Connie Mack said; "The war changed everything; it reinvented the game."In 1945; Mack said the quality of players was the poorest in 50 years. In that year; there were 247 former American Leaguers and 244 former National Leaguers in the military. Major league baseball had experienced an 80 percent turnover from the 1941 Opening Day rosters. The rosters consisted of 22 players; instead of the usual 25. Players were either too old; too young; too tall or too short.In addition to Greenberg; other major leagues who served in the military included Bob Feller; Ted Williams; Joe DiMaggio; Buddy Lewis; Cecil Travis; Warren Spahn; Hank Bauer; Pee Wee Reese; Pete Reiser and many others.Klima points out that the war affected three generations of baseball players: Those who actively served in the military; those who would have replaced them; and those who would have played in the low minors. At the end of the 1942 season; there were more than 1;000 minor leaguers in the military.How did World War II change baseball? It changed the way amateur players were scouted and signed; it opened the doors for integration and unionization (the owners abused the players during the war with a grueling schedule and pay cuts); it made Latin players a vital part of baseball and the post-war demand for baseball spurred more corporate involvement and media deals.Klima says that one of the reasons he wrote this book was because most people who had written about World War II didn't know much about baseball; and those who wrote about baseball didn't know much about World War II. Klima rectifies the situation with his account; which reflects the developments and context of World War II; as well as baseball; on and off the field. And; it's obvious he knows a lot about both subjects.Klima states that one of his goals was to put the reader in the shoes of Greenberg; Gray; Southworth Jr. and Sr.; as well as all the baseball players who served during the war. On this front; he succeeds tremendously. The reader can feel the emotion; the pride; the sacrifice and the angst. The result is a fine historical account of era that comes to life through the individuals involved.
