Ted Williams (Navy / Marines) 1943-1945 & 1952-1953 Bob Feller (Navy) 1941-1945 Warren Spahn Army) 1943-1945 Joe DiMaggio (Air Force) 1943-1945 Willie Mays (Army) 1952-1953 Whitey Ford (Army) 1951-1952 Yogi Berra (Navy) 1944-1945 Stan Musial (Navy) 1945 Bob Lemon (Navy) 1943-1945 Gil Hodges (Marines) 1944-1945 Thank You..............................
Billy Martin served in the Army, Jerry Coleman and Hank Bauer as Marines. During my own Military Service I felt that if men like them could leave a profession like major league ball and serve this Country than I had a obligation to follow and try to excel as they did.
Michael I couldn't agree with you more. And some of the others that left the game to serve there country, guys like Phil Rizzuto, Pee Wee Reese, Bobby Doerr, Hank Greenburg & Don Newcombe. I mean holy shit its really amazing what these players walked away from. Which is why as a veteran myself & a proud member of my local VFW, I have so much pride & admiration for the military. And I really wish that today's generation could give as much respect to the military on Memorial day, Veterans day, flag day & other memorable occasions the same way they come together when a local sports team goes down the canyon of hero's after winning a championship. THAT! bothers me. Sorry for the soap box.
Hats off to those in harms way, who have served to protect. One thing that bothers me-is how many don't pay respect to our Urban Soldiers. Those like my deceased little brother, who gave his life to "Serve and Protect", the city streets he grew up in. The city he saw go from a quiet cow town, to La. Counties worst crime area. I'd love to see that day. With PD sentiment as bad as it gets at times, these guys have families too, kids left behind. One bad cop seems to make the whole bunch seem bad, yet one bad cop, is not indicative of the whole force of compassionate city street soldier/warriors.
As great as these noted Hall of Famers were, I have always imagined what numbers, records, they would of set or put up, had they of been playing ball, had no war of ever happened. Not, if they hadn't gone to war, that was inevitable, I guess as much so as the war itself. Hats off to those with one of the most grueling jobs, dodging bullets, never pays enough, of which soldiers are not well paid, especially not paid enough to dodge bullets, or IED's.
Those who serve in Law Enforcement, Fire Services, and Paramedics are right up there with the military as far as I'm concerned. The only difference is the amount of territory each group covers. One other right that American Citizens have is the right to be protected.
Sauna conversation at the gym... I had a 21 year old tell me he was a grown up adult....he was complaining about being the shop bitch. As he was wearing a Padres cap, and this was right after Jerry Coleman has passed....I asked the kid if he knew about Jerry? I told him that at his age, Coleman had already played minor league ball, graduated flight school (19) and flew 83 combat missions over the south pacific against the Japanese. Comes back, plays for the Yanks (wins WS, etc.) and then leaves again to fly 50+ additional combat missions in Korea. Jerry had a career punctuated by can-do, Yes, sir! Attitude. And this kid sat stunned. As then he says, it was easier back then? I was like, do you live at home? On mom and dad's healthcare plan? Etc. I said look kid, until you are on your own, don't say you are an adult. Then a 22 year old spoke up and said...hey, I didn't grow up until after my first deployment to Afghanistan...really grew up on the second tour. Everyone shook their head at the whiner and thanked the young marine for his service.
Amen..... Yanks5545 Weren't you also on the ESPN board several years ago. If I'm not mistaken, retired Military, spent quit a bit of time in the Gulf theater? Seems you also rode a Harley, and saw some Yankee Games in Tampa Bay. Is this correct. If so, damn its great to see you again, if you are the same person, you also had some great historical trivia of our national past time. If not, hello, good to see you posting!
Yep, I was on the ESPN Board, retired U.S. Army 1963-1986, Korea, Viet-Nam, Berlin when occupied. Never drove Harleys though, and my brother was Air Force during the Gulf War. Remember your posts as well, Donnie Baseball was my all time favorite Yankee First Baseman so your screen name stuck with me.
I remember trying to volunteer for the 25th Infantry Division in Hawaii as my terminal out of Conus tour. The 25th sent elements to train and share duties with ROK, Philipino, New Zealand, and Australian Soldiers. Would have been flying in C141 or C130 Aircraft, lots of field duty but would have enjoyed the brief off days. At the time ('81) I was probably making a tick over a grand a month and ended up back in Korea instead. Then I hear about Greinke whining about going to Australia. Makes all that money, his team is scheduled to start in Australia, and they'll be going first class on probably that new Boeing jet. Good chance to spread the game internationally and this clown has to whine, oh I forgot he's speaking his opinion. If I were making his money and asked to go to Australia I'd be saying we ain't there yet.
Oh and for the record, the 787 dreamliner is the shizzle (not to confused with shhfizzle - the sound made by its burning batteries....that is fixed now). LAX to Shanghai, nonstop....what a sweet ride. My greatest admiration for Vets and First Responders (my Dad was in the Secret Service and then a local cop, Father-in-law was a Vietnam Corpsman and San Diego city fireman). But we treat vets like 2nd class citizens, and we prop up cops (in particular) as elite/special citizens. Any Californian will have noticed the militarization of the civilian police force. This is a trend since 9/11 and its something that even my dad and his 30 years of "protect and serve" says is shifting to "intimidate and surveil". To many people outsourcing their God given rights for a false sense of security.
My dad was career Navy with his Terminal assignment pushing boots at old San Diego Naval Training Center. I graduated from Mission Bay High in the ancient year of 1963. Always liked San Diego but even back then the SD Police Department was a bit watchful. Back then there was a curfew and if on the street age 16 or younger the cops could take you to juvie if they so desired. I remember even being stopped just walking to or from school. But I could also understand that the proximity to the border probably called for more strict measures.
The Bums should tie up Greinke and place him in the Cargo Bay, take him out down under, give him a rope, whistle, & boy scout knife, and have him dropped off over the Outback, maybe with a parachute,maybe not. What would these rich spoiled brats be without their money? They obviously have forgot their often humble beginnings or years as a kid. Amazing too how many athletes file bankruptcy with one year of retirement. No mentality in that one. I
