WWI/The Great War

[jlynch1960]

I can't find Tim's reference above, but I think he hit the highlights.

Mathewson and Grant were finished as players before they enlisted so their careers were not interrupted. I believe Grant was the only player to be killed n action. There was apparently a plaque dedicated to him at the Polo Grounds. I have this vague recollection that this surfaced in a memorabilia auction not too long ago.

Mathewson and Cobb served in the same mustard gas unit, I believe, under Branch Rickey. Mathewson was exposed to the stuff and subsequently developed tuberculosis. He died of it in 1925 during the world series of that year. According to the Ken Burns' Baseball film, players from both teams wore black armbands to commemorate his death. Somehow Cobb got off easy and was sent home after a couple of months in France.

Of the more well know players from the era, Alexander seems to have had a hard time of it. He was drafted, served as an artillery officer, suffered severe shell shock and was made nearly deaf. He drank very heavily afterward and became prone to seizures. He played with the Cubs until 1926 when he was traded to the Cards and won two games in the series against the Yanks and made a tremendous effort in relief in game seven (completely hungover) for a stunning upset of the Yanks.

No doubt a number of less well know players served as well. It would be interesting to know who they werel.