Hugh Mulcahy: Baseball and the Second World War

Hugh Mulcahy represented an important first for Major League baseball, and became a symbol of both the character, and sacrifice, of what has been called The Greatest generation.
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Script by THG
#history #thehistoryguy #WWII

[@user-oh2hs6jh5x]

Good episode THG. Sacrifice comes in many different flavors. Mulcahy's wasn't as tragic as those that lost their lives, but still heart-wrenching in the sense that he lost not only his livlihood, but his dream.

[@TheHistoryGuyChannel]

And that he made that sacrifice without complaint.,

[@BigboiiTone]

Very well said comment

[@chiefslinginbeef3641]

​@@TheHistoryGuyChannelcan you cite your sources of most americans being in favor of a peacetime draft sir? I've seen multiple surveys from that time that Americans in favor of joining the war before December 7 was nearly 10%.

[@TheHistoryGuyChannel]

@@chiefslinginbeef3641 that particular quotation came from this National Park Service site: www.nps.gov/articles/000/selective-service-and-arsenal-of-democracy.htm

[@anthonygray333]

My sister in law’s dad was Walter “Lefty” Misosky. He was a pitcher for the Johnstown Johnnies, a part of the Brooklyn Dodgers system, with a similar bright future ahead. He joined the Army after 12 games in the 1941 season. He too played for Army baseball and served the entire war. Upon his return in 1946 he completed his career and then took a “steady” job…in the coal mines. Lefty was a character. Later in life he owned the Mountain House Tavern. Anyone who gave him any grief would soon see a projectile being sent his way at high speed. He never lost his “stuff”

[@orbyfan]

According to Baseball Reference, he was 4-7 with a 3.74 earned run average in 13 games with Johnstown in 1946, and hit .368 in 19 games with no home runs and 3 runs batted in. His career record was 27-30 with a 4.27 ERA in 72 games over 3 seasons (1939, 1941, 1946), batting .221 with 2 homers in 114 games.

[@joelbrown3479]

Thanks for sharing your family HISTORY 😎😎😎

[@orbyfan]

Baseball Reference lists a birthdate for him, but not a death date; you might want to let them know.

[@user-oh2hs6jh5x]

Good morning and Happy Friday to all the history nerds out there. Welcome to class!

[@suzybolen8735]

Can you imagine how an athlete would react today if they were called to serve their country? Respect to Mulcahy for his attitude and service.

[@JazznRealHipHop]

Nature of the call matters. They were responding to Germany invading countries and Japan attacking us. What are we calling/drafting troops up for today? Just saying different circumstances

[@craigaust3306]

Have you ever heard of Pat Tillman?

[@chiefslinginbeef3641]

Seeing as many athletes openly loathe our country , they'd be exempt bc they have the views the govt wants to push on young men.

[@chiefslinginbeef3641]

​@@JazznRealHipHopukraine

[@JazznRealHipHop]

@@chiefslinginbeef3641 I doubt Putin will stop his conquests and we may have to send American ground troops to stop him

[@naponroy]

SUch a good episode. No greater compliment than this - Hugh Mucahey... deserves to be remembered.

[@sandraluhnow7474]

My husband was drafted during the Vietnam war. He is KIA and can be found on The Wall, panel 28E, column 2, Glenn E Luhnow. Always remembered, I will never forget. When your country asks it is your responsibility to answer the call. My daughter never met her dad, he died 6 months before she was born.

[@joelbrown3479]

Thanks for sharing your story

[@sandraluhnow7474]

Thank you for caring about those who lost their in Vietnam

[@tomh6183]

God Bless and thank you

[@rabbi120348]

My father's minor league career was interrupted by the war. His attitude, like most of that generation was, "We had a job to do and we did it."

[@stevebailey325]

From this Marine vet, hand salute to you father.

[@stevebailey325]

From this Marine vet, hand salute to EVERY SINGLE man and woman who served during WW2. They all dropped what they were doing to participate. Whether in combat or not , they are all part of "the greatest generation."

[@bepbep7418]

Not to forget all those back home that was making the weaponry & supplies that those boys were using. It truly was an effort by the ENTIRE countries of those involved.

[@djosbun]

America’s best generation. My grandfather landed at Normandy with the second wave, his captain never made it off the boat. His war ended in the Hurtgen Forest but he made it home. He was not a large man but will always be the biggest man I’ve ever known.

[@johnnixon4085]

As a Phillies fan from way back, Steve Carlton's 1972 season is the gold standard for a great pitcher pitching for a lousy team. He won the pitching Triple Crown , leading the league in wins, E.R.A., and strikeouts. He accounted for almost 50% of his team's wins that season.

[@rogergoodman8665]

I miss "Lefty". He was the greatest pitcher of my childhood. Mike Schmidt of course was my favorite slugger.

[@orbyfan]

A measure of Hugh Mulcahy's value to the Phillies is how bad they were without him. In 1942 they posted a record of 42-109, 18½ games behind the National League's next-worst team (the Boston Braves), and the worst record of any major league team during the years 1936-1951. William B. Mead's book "Even the Browns" (1978) is an entertaining and informative look at major league baseball during World War II. Hank Greenberg was also discharged from the Army on Dec. 5, 1941, and re-enlisted after Pearl Harbor. He didn't play baseball during the war, but returned to the Tigers in mid-season, hit a home run in his first game back, and helped the Tigers win the World Series that year.

[@tobingallawa3322]

Had an uncle who was a minor league pitcher in 1940, Kansas. Lorenzo C Register. They called him "Cash" because he was money in the bank. Navy, one of the millons of guys who enlisted the Monday after. Dad's mother had 5 stars on that little flag in the window, after the Sullivans. All 5 came back, can you believe that?

[@CaptainJerry-]

Nice history of true baseball grit and patriotism!

[@jeffbangkok]

My dad worked at Wright Patterson when it was suggested he "join the 8TH air corp. My sister was 3 and a half when he first saw her. Can't imagine many Americans today doing that sacrifice.

[@edwardrhoades6957]

My grandfather enlisted in the Air Corps at Patterson Field on 3 Nov 1942. He served as a Weather Officer in China and was discharged as a Captain. He passed January of last year at 101.

[@joelbrown3479]

You come from GREAT STOCK😎😎😎🇺🇲​@@edwardrhoades6957

[@mikenixon2401]

I love baseball stories as well as the game. I once wrote a feature on on Hugh Alexander (billed as the up and coming next Babe Ruth). An Oklahoma boy he signed with Cleveland -- too bad not Cardinals. (I think I remember from the 1980s when I met him). Alexander went home on the off season to work in the oil fields, where a tragic accident severed his pitching hand. That didn't stop him. He became one of the best known MLB scouts of the mid to late 20th century. I would imagine many viewers would be interested in the unknown guy on track to become a sports star, but ultimately still well known among his professional peers. In spite of tragedy, he was still a country boy made good. I appreciate your great report today. Those big league players of that era were the real superstars more-so than today.

[@BigboiiTone]

You never fail to present stories that end up being so interesting and thoughtful. I had never heard of Hugh but the way he bore so much bad timing and hard luck, he still was thankful to have survived a horrible war and work in a field he cared about. Just not in the way he had expected. Very beautifully presented history that really should be remembered and in my case, learned for the first time.

[@NVRAMboi]

Every American male should strive to be so humble, so thankful, so willing, and so aware of the needs of others. After 5 decades, I still have work to do. Thanks, Mr. Geiger. Mr. Mulcahy definitely deserves to be remembered.

[@bobcfi1306]

Thanks for remembering

[@theworldwariioldtimeradioc8676]

Great video. Another athlete with a remarkable story from World War II that would make a great video is NHL goalie Sam Lopresti.

[@richardpetroni9690]

I loved it my Grandfather was a Ballplayer during that Era and I love the stories of that time.

[@andreperrault5393]

He is a role model for us all. Thanks for sharing History Guy

[@flkoolguy]

What an amazing story of courage and selfless sacrifice. My grandfather served in WW2 and he was lucky enough to make it home as well. Thankful for all the men who have served. From one Marine vet to all the vets reading this, Thank you. SEMPER FI!!

[@chriskoch1241]

Both my maternal uncles were major and minor league umpires. They were friends with Peewee Reece, if that will give you an idea of the timeline. The eldest of the two was a baseball ambassador in post-WW2 Germany, a program which really seemed to help with healing after the war.

[@timheasley612]

This story put tears in my eye's , thank you so much for telling a great story of one of our great war hero's 🙏🙏🙏❤

[@TheHistoryGuyChannel]

Mine too. You just don’t find people that humble today. He is a hero in my book.

[@craigaust3306]

@@TheHistoryGuyChannel Don’t forget Pat Tillman

[@timothymulholland7905]

Morale building in war is a vital function. People like Bob Hooe and many other gave important contributions as did our LP

[@tygrkhat4087]

That's why FDR told the major leagues to keep playing; he saw it as important for morale.

[@timothymills3864]

My generations Bob Hope has to be Toby Kieth. The USO tours were some of his best and what he believed was his duty. RIP Toby

[@chriscromar9013]

My wife is Tahitian. Her mother tried to tell her about her great-great grandfather French Admiral Louis Bonard, but being the youngest paid little attention. In her older years she began to have an interest. You may want to peek into his life sometime, especially his days in Vietnam and South America.

[@frankgulla2335]

What a great piece of forgotten history. Thank you THG.

[@fieryvale]

@TheHistoryGuyChannel I'd love if you would do a segment on the Miskito Coast. That's a piece of history (and current news!) that I was very surprised to learn.

[@ghowell13]

Thanks for yhe great eepisode on The Greatest Generation!

[@lisahinton9682]

Absolutely remarkable. What an incredible story of yet another great of The Greatest Generation. Thanks, THG.

[@calebbarkley3097]

Great story of a great man. Love the history guy

[@RetiredSailor60]

Good Friday morning History Guy and everyone watching from a soggy Irving TX. Don't forget to set your clocks ahead one hour tomorrow night/Sunday morning...

[@maryfranco3810]

Certainly a man and a story that deserves to be remembered!

[@narveenaryaputri9759]

Such a joy, as always, to hear your recount of a history . Specially one which few remembered Thank you, again

[@THE-HammerMan]

Thank you History Guy. I've always loved the sport of baseball the most and had not known about Hugh Mulcahy. All service from cooks to the brass was equally important.

[@beckybanta126]

Thank you for reseaching & teaching us what ought not be forgotten, but honored & real. Hugh & his life is certainty one that I am happy to meet. 😊

[@othelloferrari6942]

History guy...did you know that Joe E. Brown, comedian, was the first celeb to go to the front lines to entertain troops? Research that and give us a great and almost forgotten bit of history. Thank you from a lover of history

[@rogergoodman8665]

Being a lifelong Philadelphia sports fan...I can honestly say that we've had way MORE than our fair share of "hard luck" athletes. Even when our teams are very good, they still get little respect outside the Philly area. Philly teams will forever be the UNDERDOG, even when we are the champions.

[@cramit79]

That is an amazing story I've never heard of. Well done. Thank you.

[@robinschwartz6094]

THG, your infirmation on Mulcahy is very interesting! It would cool if the Baseball Hall of Fame could show this episode at their museum.

[@TheHistoryGuyChannel]

If they ask I’ll give permission

[@steveshoemaker6347]

What a fine man Hugh Mulcahy was and may he rest in Gods Peace....Thanks Mr. THG🎀 👍 Old F-4 2 Shoe🇺🇸

[@Solhai]

Wonderful work again. Makes my day to know of someone of such character. Someone to be remembered and take an example from.

[@john_in_phoenix]

I think an episode on the history of the draft in the USA would be great. I suspect it might be a concern in the future.

[@jefferyepstein9210]

Considering the obesity problem in America and other disabilities both physical and mental I doubt that a draft would be effective.

[@constipatedinsincity4424]

Back in the Saddle Again Naturally!

[@johnthiel7422]

A Moe Berg video would be greatly appreciated. WW11 history at its finest.

[@constipatedinsincity4424]

Hey History Guy, 🤓👋 what is that blinking on the shelf in behind you?🤔

[@TheHistoryGuyChannel]

Those are Mardi Gras beads sent by a viewer.

[@constipatedinsincity4424]

@@TheHistoryGuyChannel Jerry Jerry Jerry !🤣

[@stuartriefe1740]

@@TheHistoryGuyChannel How do we viewers even know the address to send stuff to? I have a number of my Dad’s WWII hats…

[@jreese8284]

I thought they were very distracting.

[@TheHistoryGuyChannel]

@@stuartriefe1740 please see if family wants them first. If they need a good home, I promise to take care of them to the best of my ability. The History Guy, P.O. Box 1473, O’Fallon IL, 62269.

[@donmears4090]

Another example of why His generation is called the GREATEST.

[@BasicDrumming]

I appreciate you and thank you for making content.

[@kcrispy1693]

That is why it is known as the "Greatest Generation" truely inspiration lives on.

[@marksieber4626]

Should touch on the WWI players also especially Christy Mathewson.

[@realwealthproperties5671]

Very very good episode! A lot of people in felt Sorry for Hugh except for Hugh.

[@jazznik2]

Thanx for this story, THG. However, I already was familiar w Mulcahy, as he was immortalized in a song by jazz pianist and composer Dave Frishberg called "Van Lingle Mungo", a song about baseball players that mostly played during his childhood. Also, dont forget about Ted Williams, who lost almost 5 years from the majors due to 2 wars, WW2 and the Korean War. As great as his career was, just think how much greater it could have been if he hadnt missed that time.

[@Spitnchicklets]

Thank you for this one, HG!!!

[@mattiemathis9549]

What character and attitude. That’s why they are called the greatest generation. 💕

[@bavondale]

a great story and well told. thank you

[@shawnr771]

Thank you for the lesson.

[@Aramis419]

It'd be quite the kick if Leckie was the sports reporter for one of these article. #Phillyproud

[@busterdog321]

Dang, i didn't think id be pretending to stretch so i can wipe my eyes and make my face flush at work. However, i laughed and glad to see that the Philadelphia Inquirer has never stopped taking legendary digs at the Phillies.

[@onliwankannoli]

Really enjoyed this one! 👍

[@mhub3576]

I'd love to see an episode on Father Emil Kapaun, hero of the north Korean prisoner of war camp.

[@Russia-bullies]

Another reason why pitchers should only be evaluated by strikeouts/batter faced(A more important stat to pitchers than ERA).Something not even modern baseball does,sadly.

[@elliottkolker4321]

I always confused Hugh "Losing Pitcher" Mulcahy with another contemporary Phillies "elbow man," Walter "Boom-Boom" Beck. Walter's nikname referred to the sound of the line drives he gave up banging off the right-field tin wall at his home, Shibe Park, even closer than the infamous Green Monster at Fenway.

[@kellybasham3113]

Love your videos

[@danahansen5427]

The stitching on that ball looks unusual.

[@TheHistoryGuyChannel]

Lol yes- we’ll get a new pic.

[@jefferyepstein9210]

Im related to Joe Nuxhall. He is the youngest player to ever play in the major leagues. The Reds let him play in 1944 at the age of 15. It was only for an inning. He went on to play in the early 50's for about 15 seasons. He was an average pitcher but won more than he lost so he was successful i guess. He went on to have a career broadcasting play by play for the Reds for many years. I doubt his record of being the youngest will ever be broken. The war years were a crazy time for everyone i guess!!!

[@jazznik2]

That record will never be broken because the MLB rules now say that you cannot even sign a professional contract w a MLB team until you are 16, so you cant even be a minor leaguer at age 15 now.

[@jefferyepstein9210]

@@jazznik2 Who knows? Maybe some incredible kid will come along and they will make an exception but I highly doubt that.

[@craigolmsted964]

He sounds like a heck of guy thanks

[@bigsarge2085]

Learned something new.

[@mellissadalby1402]

Good man, Mulcahy

[@joelbrown3479]

It's that time of year... Spring, PLAY BALL THANKS😎😎😎😎😎

[@larryheystek4166]

My Dad was drafted in May 1941 and served until January 1946, served in the Pacific. A big baseball fan. Never liked Ted Williams who avoided the draft until 1943, making $50,000 a year, saying his Mother needed the money. Joined USMC, but never left the States. He respected guys like Mulcahy who went when called.

[@anthonyC214]

Same with my Uncle Mike. He was to be discharged in December 1941 but that did not happen . Went from North Africa, to Italy to Germany under Patton.

[@jefferyepstein9210]

​@@anthonyC214 My uncle served with Patton from Africa to Germany as well!!!

[@anthonyC214]

My father worked before the war at the Brooklyn Navy Yard as the supervisor of all the welders. In 1942 he stormed into his local draft board demanding to be drafted as all his brothers and friends were called up. He was drafted into the Navy and went to Great Lakes for training. After training he was sent back to the Brooklyn Navy Yard doing his old job but in uniform and a big cut in pay. He got out in 1945 as a Chief Petty Officer. As hard as he could demanding sea duty, he was rejected as his work at the Navy Yard was too valuable for the war effort.

[@anthonyC214]

Williams flew 39 combat missions in Korea, earning the Air Medal with two Gold Stars representing second and third awards, before being withdrawn from flight status in June 1953 after a hospitalization for pneumonia. This resulted in the discovery of an inner ear infection that disqualified him from flight status

[@larryheystek4166]

@@anthonyC214 I knew that, but the issue was WW2 when his country was attacked and needed everyone to pitch in. He stayed for the money. I believe he was called up as a USMC Reserve and didn't volunteer for service in Korea. I could be wrong with that.

[@tomh6183]

Truly he was a member of The Greatest Generation.

[@MisterFastbucks]

There's no crying in baseball!!

[@joelbrown3479]

It's my allergies 😢

[@orcstr8d]

History Guy, baseball players and WWII? Have you ever considered softball players. I’m thinking of the Marine from Walla Walla- Eddie Feigner, said to throw heat in the triple digits. Once stuck out 6 MLB All Stars in a row.

[@TheAnalogTapeMuseum]

I have a question, if you don't mind. When you post your videos, under what category do you list them, since KZbin does not provide a "history" category (which they most definitely should!)?

[@TheHistoryGuyChannel]

I post as education.

[@TheAnalogTapeMuseum]

@@TheHistoryGuyChannel Thanks!

[@TheAnalogTapeMuseum]

@@TheHistoryGuyChannel Thanks. I may do that on some of my videos. Love your channel, BTW.

[@Wil_Liam1]

I didn't realize that US soldiers got leave to come home during the war as none of my ancestors did. I am curious as to how he wound up with a 4 month old son when he was overseas for 5 years..

[@TheHistoryGuyChannel]

He served mostly in the United States. He only deployed overseas in 1944.

[@Wil_Liam1]

@@TheHistoryGuyChannel Ahhh, didn't know that, makes sense now..

[@harleylawdude]

What about Yogi Berra, Ted Williams, Bob Feller, etc.

[@TheHistoryGuyChannel]

Another good story I might well tell someday. Luckily his career was still ahead of him when he mustered out.

[@tygrkhat4087]

In the novel "M*A*S*H," Hawkeye and the other Swampmen call Fr. Mulcahy, "Losing Preacher."

[@Weinzierl1973]

I've been a subscriber for a long time - something changed with the formatting, not sure when - the citations used in these videos have become overwhelming to listen to the content - not sure if THG was told by their lawyers that they needed to cite almost every sentence but I'm not aware of anybody else doing it THIS much - per the Des Moines Register, told to the sportswriter Jim Bob Johnson and the Pittsburgh Sun-Telegraph etc. Bordering unlistenable for the actual content provided - and it pains me to say it because I love THG. :( Not trying to troll or be mean - just providing feedback from a loyal listener.

[@J.A.Smith2397]

Top of the muffin to ya good sir

[@danam0228]

Bravo Mulcahy, bravo

[@johnblais2065]

That was,;: of the strongest of men

[@buzztp5119]

Biggest sacrifice "Girls playing baseball ! " - Tom hanks

[@doriWyo]

Whatever is flashing in the background is distracting.

[@voltsiano116]

Imagine he gets handed a rack of grenades. The enemy wouldn't stand a chance

[@elcastorgrande]

The Greatest Generation.

[@jkilby27able]

👍👍👍👍

[@peteengard9966]

I'm afraid that most of the entitled brats that play ball now will never think about joining the service for their country. The greatest generation it was.

[@chuckh5999]

Yes, the greatest generation!

[@anthonyC214]

He and his fellow players made Baseball out to be the national sports. Unfortunately the players we have today are not worth their salt in comparison. I have Not watched a professional ball games in years

[@dcculver]

Please turn off those flashing lights, they're no improvement to your excellent show

[@samarnadra]

Seconding, they can trigger seizures or migraines, and are very distracting.

[@JustOneAsbesto]

Moe Berg. Please.

[@patrickpullman8348]

I wonder if he was able to pay off his parents' house?

[@TheHistoryGuyChannel]

They deferred the loan. Presumably he paid it off after he returned.

[@patrickpullman8348]

@TheHistoryGuyChannel Thank you, History Guy!

[@merlinwizard1000]

20th, 8 March 2024

[@matildamcgillicuddy3935]

But what about his parents' house???

[@TheHistoryGuyChannel]

He was able to get the loan deferred. He presumably paid it off after the war.

[@matildamcgillicuddy3935]

@@TheHistoryGuyChannel Thank you!! ♥️

[@guessundheit6494]

"Neutral", a euphemism for cowering while everyone else faced fascism.

[@jefferywalker4114]

Jack Chevigny is 10X this story

[@BigboiiTone]

So he was drafted before Pearl Harbor? Where were they going to send him? Just to have trained men in case of US involvement?

[@TheHistoryGuyChannel]

The first draftees were actually inducted in October of 1940. The goal was to grow the size of the military, although the argument was more about defense than potential deployment. In fact, by law they could only be deployed in the Western Hemisphere. Yes, the service was often described as boring and tedious, as troops were stationed in the US with little to do.

[@BigboiiTone]

@@TheHistoryGuyChannel thank you 🤓👏🇺🇸

[@joecombs7468]

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[@davidrudd9846]

Not so impressed with the Bronze Star for dysentery?? But he did the job and never complained!!!

[@TheHistoryGuyChannel]

That is a fair point, but I think that "meritorious achievement" is not an unreasonable claim.

[@shawnr771]

Apparently you have never been attacked by an Army bisquit.

[@screwtape2713]

I think he deserved the Bronze Star for "meritorious achievement" for the enormous contribution he made to the American war preparations and effort right from the outset. His attitude towards being drafted probably had a huge positive impact on the general acceptance of the draft. A $10,000 salary was very very big money in 1940. For someone about to earn that to accept an Army private's salary of $250/yr instead with a public comment to the effect that his country was worth it and every American citizen should be prepared to do likewise -- while still in peacetime -- was truly remarkable. And honorable. As the first "big name" draftee, if he had created a huge fuss instead, tried to fight his callup notice, claimed exemptions for "family hardship" and "essential importance to his business organization" etc -- as he might very well have done -- his example could have seriously damaged general acceptance of the draft and therefore its future success -- much like the Vietnam era draft card burning, etc eventually caused its abolition. Instead he set an example for his peers of uncomplaining national service.

[@chiefslinginbeef3641]

Most americans were not in favor of the draft sir. 87% of americans were against joining the war.

[@TheHistoryGuyChannel]

I think that you are incorrect in claiming that most Americans opposed the the 1940 Selective Service Act. The Act in 1940 was described as defensive only. The public generally assumed that the men drafted would only be called to fight should to US be attacked- and the act stipulated that those drafted couldn't be deployed outside the Western Hemisphere. There was congressional opposition, but no significant public push-back or demonstration. Moreover, over time the crisis in Europe grew, and the opinion of the public shifted. While close to 90% opposed war in January of 1940, by September, according to the National WWII Museum , polling found that "52% of Americans now believed the United States ought to risk war to help the British." That would continue to shift over the course of 1941. There might not have been consensus to declare war prior to Pearl Harbor, but by the time the Selective Service Act took effect in September, 1940, the public had come to recognize the risk and consent to being prepared. Actual opposition to the act, and public resistance, seems to have been slight. www.nationalww2museum.org/war/articles/great-debate