Ballplayers Whose Careers Were Interrupted By Military Service

Submitted by podizz on Wed, 12/14/2011 - 12:31
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  1. Willie Mays-Most of 52 and 53 Drafted in 1952 for service in the Korean War. He would spend most of his term actually playing baseball at Fort Eustis, Virginia.
  2. Ted Williams-Originally deferred from military service in 1941 on the grounds that his mother was a dependent, Williams took a great deal of heat from the public for being a perceived dodger. He would soon sign on on his own accord, spending 3 years learning to fly for the duration of the war. Though he would never actually see combat in WWII, he would later be called up to serve in Korea, during which he would fly 39 combat missions for the Marines. Because of this stint, he only played 43 games in 52-53.
  3. Joe Dimaggio-Sargeant in the Air Force before being medically discharged due to chronic stomach ulcers in September 1945.
  4. Stan Musial-Joined the Navy in Navy in January 1945, and was initially assigned to noncombat duty at the Naval Training Station in Bainbridge, Maryland. On ship repair duty at Pearl Harbor later in the year, he was able to play baseball every afternoon in the naval base's eight-team league. After being granted emergency leave to see his ailing father in January 1946, he was briefly assigned to the Philadelphia Navy Yard before his honorable discharge from the Navy in March.
  5. Warren Spahn-Enlisted in the Army after spending most of 42 in minors. Was awarded a Purple Heart and the Bronze Star for bravery fighting most notably in the The Battle of the Bulge.
  6. Grover Cleveland-1918 played in only 3 games
  7. Hank Greenberg
  8. Bob Feller-Enlisted in the Navy one day following the Pearl Harbor attack. Served as Gun Captain aboard the USS Alabama, where he would earn five campaign ribbons and eight battle stars.
  9. Pee Wee Reese-Served in the Navy, where he mostly played baseball.
  10. Phil Rizzuto-Served in the Navy from 1943 through 1945, where he played on a Navy baseball team alongside Reese.
  11. Johnny Mize
  12. Bobby Doerr
  13. Monte Irvin
  14. Larry Doby
  15. George Kelly
  16. Billy Herman
  17. Red Ruffing
  18. Leon Day
Author Comments: 

Ernie Banks, Jackie Robinson, George Sisler, Tris Speaker, and Eddie Collins served before their playing careers began.
Christy Mathewson served after his retirement.
Ty Cobb enlisted for WWI but his stint was short enough that he never missed any playing time