World War II Chronicle: January 3, 1942

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The draft board now classifies Ted Williams as “1-A,” signifying that baseball’s premier hitter is “available for service.” Meanwhile, rookie New York Yankee first baseman Johnny Sturm receives his orders to report to induction into the Army Air Forces. Sturm will hurt himself during the war while operating a tractor (clearing ground for a baseball diamond), requiring part of his index finger to be amputated. After four years in the service, he returns to baseball as a coach in the Yankees’ farm system. While managing the Class C Joplin (Mo.) Miners, Sturm heard about a spectacular young shortstop from Oklahoma named Mickey Mantle and recommended the Yankees send a scout to look at him… Babe Ruth is mentioned on the bottom of the front page as he recovers from a car accident. Ruth ended his career in 1935 and was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame’s inaugural class the following year along with Ty Cobb, Walter Johnson, Christy Mathewson, and Honus Wagner. Ruth, a former soldier, will participate in numerous war bond events during the course of the war… Sports section begins on page 19

Evening star. (Washington, D.C.), 3 January 1942. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress.
https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83045462/1942-01-03/ed-1/