World War II Chronicle: February 5, 1942

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On page 8, the Greaves-class destroyer USS Herndon (DD-638) has set a record for the Norfolk Navy Yard, requiring just 160 days of construction. Herndon will require several months of fitting out before she is commissioned on Dec. 20. During World War I it took the Mare Island Navy Yard just 17-1/2 days from keel-laying to launching for the destroyer USS Ward (the same ship that sunk a Japanese mini-sub in the pre-dawn hours of Dec. 7, 1941). Ward was commissioned less than two months later… George Fielding Eliot column on page 13…

Sports section begins on page 42 where you can see Philadelphia A’s second baseman Benny McCoy swearing into the Navy. The former free agent was one of — if not, THE — richest athletes in the game but now McCoy will go to work playing for Mickey Cochrane’s Great Lakes ball club and several other service teams across the Pacific.

Also on page 42 is a story about Wee Jackie Reid, who has pitched in the minor leagues for an incredible 21 seasons. According to baseball-reference.com it appears Reid has played in his final game, accumulating a 271-203 record in 697 games.

Tomorrow’s paper discusses another ballplayer who is beginning his 23rd professional season.