Spahn And Sain And Pray For Rain

[Volod]

Originally Posted by BobC

So true. And that is after Spahn missing probably over three years of his career at his prime because of WW II. Just think if he had those 3+ years back and didn't lose them to war service. Pretty easily talking 400+ wins, and now he's in the stratosphere with only Wajo and Cy. Here's a guy who pitched primarily after integration, and before expansion, so you can't readily throw those arguments against him either.

Spahn reached the major leagues in 1942 at the age of 20.[1] He clashed with Braves manager Casey Stengel, who sent him to the minors after Spahn refused to throw at Brooklyn Dodger batter Pee Wee Reese in an exhibition game.[8] Spahn had pitched in only 4 games, allowing 15 runs (10 earned) in 15+2⁄3 innings.

Stengel later said that it was the worst managing mistake he had ever made: I said "no guts" to a kid who went on to become a war hero and one of the greatest lefthanded pitchers you ever saw. You can't say I don't miss 'em when I miss 'em. The 1942 Braves finished next to last, and Stengel was fired the following year. Spahn was reunited with his first manager 23 years later, for the even more woeful last-place New York Mets, and—referring to Stengel's success with the 1949–60 New York Yankees—later quipped, "I'm probably the only guy who played for Casey before and after he was a genius."[9]

Spahn finished the 1942 season with a 17–12 record for the Hartford Bees of the Class-A Eastern League

World War II
Along with many other major leaguers, Spahn chose to enlist in the United States Army, after finishing the 1942 season in the minors. He served with distinction, and was awarded a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star.[10][2][9] He saw action in the Battle of the Bulge and at the Ludendorff Bridge as a combat engineer, and was awarded a battlefield commission.[2][9]