In thinking about the events of World War II, the impact of Major League Baseball on American society during the war is probably not one of the first topics that come to mind.
Unlike major leaders or battles, the sport may not have directly impacted the outcome on the battlefield, yet it made a valuable contribution on the home front and American morale that cannot be overlooked.
During this grim period, when young Americans went off to war and all citizens were required to make sacrifices, one constant remained—Major League Baseball. It allowed Americans to enjoy sense of normalcy and of entertainment for citizens of every age.
Thanks to President Roosevelt’s Green Light Letter, which gave baseball a much needed an endorsement, the game continued to be played throughout the war.
Despite the fact that Major League Baseball’s level of play was statistically lower during the war, the game’s popularity increased, reflecting the country’s embrace of baseball as the true national pastime.
