Work, fight, or play ball: when Babe Ruth paused his career and headed to the mill
Briefly

from www.theguardian.com4 months ago
The Work-or-Fight Order compelled eligible men to register for the draft or find essential work; Major Leaguers found a loophole by playing for Bethlehem Steel's baseball league.
www.theguardian.comhttps://www.theguardian.com/sport/2024/sep/26/work-fight-or-play-ball-when-babe-ruth-paused-his-career-and-headed-to-the-mill
Bethlehem Steel, booming during wartime, established its own baseball league to entertain workers, attracting about 45 Major Leaguers and 30 retired players under the Work-or-Fight directive.
www.theguardian.comhttps://www.theguardian.com/sport/2024/sep/26/work-fight-or-play-ball-when-babe-ruth-paused-his-career-and-headed-to-the-mill
Ecenbarger highlights how the desire to evade the draft influenced many players’ decisions, with some genuinely wanting to contribute to the war effort.
www.theguardian.comhttps://www.theguardian.com/sport/2024/sep/26/work-fight-or-play-ball-when-babe-ruth-paused-his-career-and-headed-to-the-mill
Owner Charles Schwab, not the financial guru, created the Bethlehem Steel League in 1917 to enhance team competitiveness while providing entertainment for steelworkers.
www.theguardian.comhttps://www.theguardian.com/sport/2024/sep/26/work-fight-or-play-ball-when-babe-ruth-paused-his-career-and-headed-to-the-mill
Read at www.theguardian.com
#babe-ruth #baseball-history #world-war-i #bethlehem-steel #work-or-fight-order
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