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‘When Baseball Went to War’ conference, exhibition comes
to bat in New Orleans
The National World War II Museum teams up Hall of Fame
players and historians this November
NEW ORLEANS (July 26, 2007) – Beginning November 9, The
National World War II Museum in New Orleans will premier
a conference and exhibition examining the significance
of America’s national pastime during the Second World
War – Duty, Honor, Country: When Baseball Went to War,
presented by Humana. Notable Major Leaguers will discuss
their personal experiences from the World War II era.
Conference sessions will commence on Friday, November 9,
2007 followed by an evening reception and exhibit
opening. Tommy Lasorda, the longtime Manager of the Los
Angeles Dodgers and a Member of the Baseball Hall of
Fame, will be the featured speaker at a dinner on the
evening of November 10. Lasorda is renowned as a great
story teller and known for his colorful personality and
outspoken opinions. The conference will continue through
Sunday afternoon on November 11.
World War II Veterans and famed Major Leaguers including
Bob Feller, Dom DiMaggio, Morrie Martin, Johnny Pesky,
Jerry Coleman, Lou Brissie and others will join with
baseball historians and authors for panel discussions
and presentations about the importance of our national
pastime to a nation at war. Program sessions include
such topics as “Baseball on the Battlefront,” “Baseball
the Morale Builder,” and “From One Battlefield to
Another: World War II, Baseball and Civil Rights,” to
name a few. Other invited guests include Jackie
Robinson’s daughter, Sharon; Roberto Clemente’s widow,
Vera and Delores ‘Dolly” Brumfield White of the
All-American Girls Professional Baseball League.
“Humana is proud to celebrate this remarkable era of
Baseball history with the World War II veterans who
played the game and those on the home front who were
sustained by it,” said George Renaudin, South Region
President for Humana’s Senior Products. “It’s a way for
us to say ‘thank you’ to that generation for the
sacrifices they made for us and the future generations.”
The conference and exhibition honor a time when baseball
was more than a game
The 1941 baseball season reached a zenith with Joe
DiMaggio’s 56-game hitting streak and Ted Williams
batting .400. The Yankees faced their cross-town rivals,
the Brooklyn Dodgers, winning the World Series months
after their hero, Lou Gehrig, passed away. Weeks later,
the attack on Pearl
Harbor forced America to focus on what was truly
essential to the war effort and what could be put
aside until the war’s conclusion. Major League
Commissioner, Judge Kennesaw Mountain Landis,
wrote to President Roosevelt asking him what he would
like the league to do with the upcoming 1942 season.
All doubt was removed when President Roosevelt answered
the question in what became known as the “Green Light
Letter.” Roosevelt wrote to Landis, “I honestly feel
that it would be best for the country to keep baseball
going. There will be fewer people unemployed and
everybody will work longer hours and harder than ever
before. And that means that they ought to have a chance
for recreation and for taking their minds off their work
even more than before.”
Yogi Berra, Ted Williams and many others left lucrative
careers on the baseball diamond to fight for freedom.
Despite the enlistment of able-bodied, of-age players,
older players were able to keep the game going during
the war years. More night games were added to teams’
schedules and proceeds from exhibition games, including
the All Star game, were put towards the war effort.
Those players that enlisted would often be put on their
respective branch of service’s baseball team and tour
military bases to play games and to boost the spirits of
their fellow soldiers, airmen, marines and sailors.
General Eisenhower, knowing how important the game was
to his men, saw to it that games being played back home
were broadcast overseas.
The National World War II Museum is working closely with
The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum to honor
the game and the players in both the exhibition and with
the conference. Conference participants will meet major
league and minor league players from the World War II
era. A “Players Clinic for Kids” featuring players and
college coaches will take place on Saturday, November
10. Commemorative merchandise and books will be on sale
throughout the weekend in the Museum Store and
Memorabilia Marketplace. Presenters will autograph
books, baseballs and more following each panel and
presentation. The conference will conclude with a
special remembrance and program in honor of Veterans
Day, November 11.
The baseball exhibition will remain on view through
March 31, 2008. It will feature rarely seen artifacts,
memorabilia and photographs on loan from The National
Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, from private
collectors, and from the collection of The National
World War II Museum.
Conference tickets are $150 for non-Museum members and
$125 for members, and include Museum admission, all
conference sessions, the opening reception, and lunch
and dinner on Saturday. Individual tickets to the
Saturday dinner are $75.
The National World War II Museum in New Orleans has been
designated by Congress as America’s official Museum of
the Second World War. It interprets the American
Experience during theWorld War II years; celebrates the
American Spirit, the teamwork, optimism, courage and
sacrifice of the men and women who won World War II and
promotes the exploration and expression of these values
by future generations.
For more information or to purchase tickets to the
conference, visit www.nationalww2museum.org or call toll
free 1-877-813-3329 x 257.
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