1945 GI World Series in Nurmberg Germany

[Topnotchsy]

One of the (mostly) forgotten tales in baseball history was during WWII. In the United States, the decision was for MLB to continue playing. But a large percentage of the players were drafted into the war effort. Of those, most played games to entertain the troops, primarily in places like Hawaii where it was safer (this is long after the attack on Pearl Harbor).

In the 1945, after Germany surrendered in May, a number of tournaments were held. Maybe the most significant one culminated in the GI World Series, which was held in Nurmberg. Games were played with Hilter's bunker looming as the backdrop. It was a reminder of where they were, but also a statement of triumph, over the Nazi regime.

Of note is that the World Series was an integrated affair. Leon Day and Willard Brown, two Negro League greats and future Hall of Famers played in the tournament for the OISE All-Stars who came in as underdogs, but who prevailed in the series.

Over the years I have been able to acquire a program from that series along with a picture from one of the games with Hitler's bunk clearly visible.

Recently I was able to acquire a postcard where Leon Day mentioned the series as a highlight of his career.