The sun., 1919-02-09
Host of Big LeaguerS
In Uncle Sans Service
Half of Baseballs Army in Khaki or Navy Blue When
Armistice Was Signed-Lambeth and Won
Kolnitz Became Majors.
BY sHORTsTOP.

players who saw real action In France
we're Sam Rice and Mike Menosky Of the
Washington club, Otis Lambeth and Joe
Harris of Cleveland, Walter Smallwood
OF the Yankees and Willie Mitchell Of
the Detroit Tigers.
Lambeth rose to the rank of Major
during the war. Lambeth and Fred Won
Koinitz, former Cincinnati and White
Sox player. were the only players to
reach the rank of Major, though Branch
Hickey and Percy Haughton. presidents
OF the Cardinals and Braves respec-
lively. held the rank OF Major, and TIL
Huston. half owner of the Yankees, was
a Lieutenant-Colonel when the excite
ment was over.
Capt Eddie Grant, the former Giant.
was acting Major OF his battalion when
he was killed In the Argonne Forest.
Ty Cobb and Christy Mathewson both
were commissioned Captains in the
Chemical Warfare Service, but they did
not enter the service until tho season OF
1918 was nearly over Both got to
France. but Cobb Just arrived when the
armist.ce wac signed. and he was sent
back. Mathewson, who now Ia on the
ocean, Is the last OF the baseball deleSa-
ton commissioned in the Chemical War
fare section to return. George Stsler Of
the Browns got a commission as Lieu
tenant in the same service. but did not
get 10 France.
Many in tho Camps.
There were OF course droves of other
men In the training camps IN America
waiting to 80 over when the end OF the
war came, such ms kauff, Benton and
Barnes OF the Giants: Ruel, Ward Wick
and Lamar OF the Ysnk.es; whltted,
McGaffigan and lineup OF the Phllies
and similar deegat!cas from all the
other teams.
Wallie Pipp of the Yankees, iris
Speaker of the Cleveland Indians and
Les Nunamaker OF the Browns were
studying for commissions in the naval
aviation service when the armstice was
signed. though none OF these men en-
tered the service until late in the sea-
son.
Jack Miller OF the Cardinals wanted
to fight with the marines. and despite
the fact that he Is a married. man, no
gave up lucrative job 10 join the sea
fighters year ago Jack also insisted
he went Into the mar ines 10 fight, not 10
play ball. Eddie Collins also ended the
war with the marines. though the 1918
season almost was over before he took
the step. 1t was TO Eddle's credit, how.
ever, as he is married and has two
children.
The navy was. OF course. one Of the
favorite branches Of service for base
Dali men. The charge that so many
ball players enlisted in the navy to keep
out of the trenches Is no fairer when
applied to baseball professionals than 10
young Americans in any other walk of
lie. The navy needed men as much as
the army and 1t was up to young Ameri-
cans to take their pick
Ten EnIiat mt Once,
Yale. Sloan and Jacobson, st. Louis
american outfielders. enlisted in tho
navy as early as July. 1917, and with
the end OF the 1917 season many other
players followed their footsteps. ten OF
me Red Sox players including former
manager Barry, enl!sting at one sroop
Barry sacrificed HE job as manager OF
ti'e iiostUn team 10 .ni-i t.. SER, Vice. A.
lie had legitimate claims for dependency.
having several children. During his alb
sence I'D Barrow was appointed man.
ager OF the team
Many OF the satlo- players. OF whom
'here were nearly 100 from the two
major leagues, saw plenty of service in
European waters. Rob Shawkey of ths
fahkees saw the surrender OF the Ger
man nigh sea fleet from the deck OF tho
Arkansas. Mike McNally. the Rcd Soy
'nfe!der. and several other major and
minor league players took part (, thu
Famous game played In London bo-,ra
the King OF England last Fourth OF
July. 90 W
In Ernie Shore the Yankees have the
only sailor bah player who won a com
mission. Shore was ronniss'nroS
Ensign few weeks after the ar,nistIce
was signed. Duffy Lewis. who come.
TO the Yankees with Shore wss n net,v
officer In the navy